Dedicated Texas Ecological Restoration Corpsmember

Texas Restoration Crew - WFA/Chainsaw Training

Summary:

American Conservation Experience is a national non-profit conservation corps dedicated to providing career development and outdoor experiential learning opportunities to young adults interested in careers related to environmental conservation. The ACE AmeriCorps Member program engages and motivates participants seeking to broaden their horizons and expand professional knowledge in the field of conservation.

Join American Conservation Experience in southern Texas and enjoy amazing benefits and community while engaging in meaningful restoration work. This dedicated crew will be working together for approximately 3 months.

American Conservation Experience, a non-profit conservation corps with a divisional branch in Flagstaff, Arizona, is looking for members to come join our team of young adults serving on meaningful conservation projects throughout the southern Texas and the gulf coast region. This crew will be working on various restoration projects in the southern Texas gulf coast region treating invasive species and other restoration tasks. This opportunity is intended for those looking to learn valuable skills for their career while immersed in a community of like-minded young professionals from around the country. Members will serve 13 weeks on ecological restoration projects while completing a term of AmeriCorps service. While serving, members typically have 3-6 days off between each project to enjoy southern Texas' abundant beauty and recreational opportunities with their friends and colleagues. Take your first step towards beginning or advancing your career by applying with us today!

Start Date:

January 13th, 2025

Estimated End Date:

approx. April 11th, 2024

Location:

Work projects will take place throughout the Gulf Coast and Southeastern Texas. Members will be based out of Victoria, TX.

Benefits:

• Benefits: Member compensation and benefits include a package valued at over $2,000/mo.
• Members will receive a Living Allowance of [$800/week, paid bi-weekly].
• Members may be eligible to obtain an Education Award for the amount of [TBA] upon successful completion of service. Please note, AmeriCorps position eligibility is not guaranteed and may not be available for all positions.
• ACE provides members with food during all project days; members are responsible for providing their own food on off-days.
• ACE provides members with free housing during their term of service. When working in or near the Gulf Coast region, members spend off days in a furnished AirBnb in Victoria, Texas. While working, members will be camping near the project site.
• AmeriCorps members may also be eligible for qualifying child care coverage and federal loan forbearance. Additional enrollment steps are required.

Gear: ACE provides each member their own tent. The member will provide their own sleeping bag, sleeping pad, rain gear, and hiking boots. Upon acceptance to the program, members will receive a more extensive packing list. Weather can be highly variable, so plan on bringing layers of warm clothing and adequate rain gear. Members will have access to deeply discounted Pro Deals via Outdoor Prolink once they are offered and accept a position, and will have the opportunity to purchase discounted gear prior to their arrival.

Travel: ACE provides transportation to and from worksites; personal vehicles are not necessary throughout the member's term of service. ACE does not provide relocation assistance.

Position Description:

Members serve in professionally supervised teams as they explore future outdoor careers, learn practical field skills, and develop confidence as emerging leaders in the field of conservation. Members are afforded opportunities to learn and train under the guidance of professional mentors within ACE, while gaining invaluable career perspectives working alongside staff from the National Park Service, US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and many other stewards of our nation's public lands. This position will focus specifically on invasive species removal using herbicide and chainsaws.

Field work and additional responsibilities might include but are not limited to:

• Habitat restoration
• Plant identification
• Invasive species removal

Members get experience with, or in conjunction with, the following tools and equipment, depending on their level of training:

Restoration Equipment: Herbicide backpack sprayers, spray bottles, GPS units, and measuring tools.

Power Tools and Gas Powered Equipment: Chainsaws, brush-cutters, drills, saws, and compressors.

Qualifications: Applicants should be prepared to perform physically challenging labor on environmental and conservation projects for 10 hours a day. Applicants should expect to hike extended distances on rough terrain carrying backpacks, tools, and equipment, and be prepared to spend 8 consecutive days in the field, on each project. Members will work in a variety of weather conditions such as temperatures ranging from below freezing to over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, high winds, intense sunshine, rain, and snow.

Schedule:

Corps Members typically work 10 hours per day for a total of 80 hours in a 2 week pay period. While working, Corps Members camp in wilderness areas close to their work site. Between work projects Corps Members will generally spend their off days at provided housing but they may spend off days in other locations during projects further away from Victoria, TX. The typical schedules are working 8 days in a row followed by 6 days off OR working 4 days in a row followed by 3 days off, but this can vary based on projects and other factors.

Required:

• U.S. Citizen or permanent resident
• Able and willing to work in a group
• Able and willing to work outdoors in varying weather conditions and capable of hiking moderate distances in somewhat rough terrain during inclement weather conditions
• Willingness to undergo and must pass a required criminal history check

Preferred:

• Experience in hiking and navigation in steep terrain
• Strong desire to enter the conservation field as a natural resource professional
• Experience or interest in volunteering in local communities

Physical Demands, Work Environment, and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, hiking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talking, and hearing. Manual dexterity is required for the use of various tools or equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Ability to hike over rough terrain and camp overnight under field conditions.
• Vision Requirements: Close, distance, peripheral, and depth perception vision and the ability to focus may be required.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 25 lbs., ability to move up to 60 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can frequently change working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
• Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise, such as gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools.
• Travel: This position requires domestic travel.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards, including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland conditions, biting insects, and potentially dangerous wildlife. The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger themself, fellow staff/members, or resources.

The member must be willing to represent ACE and AmeriCorps in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner. ACE has a zero-tolerance policy for illegal drugs and underage drinking. ACE reserves the right to require drug testing.

To Apply: Please submit a thoughtful resume, and a cover letter, and provide at least two references that are either professional or from a community leader (e.g., colleagues, teachers, counselors, religious leaders, career advisors). Navigate to our Indeed Homepage to view other listings and to find a link to our website. On our website you can use the APPLY NOW section located on the upper right hand corner of the position listing to apply using ACE's online application portal.

NOTE: Early consideration will be given as applications are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position, please feel free to contact Sara Henderson, Member Manager. You can find Division Contact Information by navigating to our website listed on our Indeed Homepage.

ACE participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information when you are hired to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

EEO: Employment or Service with ACE is based upon ability, qualifications, attitude, and job-related factors. Every qualified employee, member, or applicant has the same opportunity for recruitment, hire, training, transfer, promotion, compensation, demotion, termination, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, creed, national origin, pregnancy, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information, veteran or military status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, medical condition, marital or parental status, political affiliation, ethnicity, hair texture or style, arrest record, caste, hereditary status, endogamy, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, or federal law.

Current Openings for Dedicated Texas Ecological Restoration Corpsmember Jobs at American Conservation Experience - CREW