Eastern Conservation Crew Member, Local Hires Only

Eastern Conservation Crew Member, Local Hire!

Summary:

Join American Conservation Experience in Asheville, North Carolina and enjoy a pay rate of $15.00/hr, an Americorps Education Award, compensated food and housing while on hitch, as well as the opportunity to receive professional development training, including Wilderness First Aid and S-212 Chainsaw certifications!

American Conservation Experience, a non-profit conservation corps with a divisional branch in Asheville, NC, is looking for members to come join our team of young adults (aged 18-30) serving on meaningful conservation projects throughout Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests of NC. 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 from September 4th to November 5th, on projects including ecological restoration, habitat improvement, and invasive plant management, all while completing a term of AmeriCorps service. While serving, members typically have 3 days off between each project to enjoy North Carolina's 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: September 4th

Estimated End Date: November 6th

Location: Asheville, NC

This Project will take place only within Pisgah and Nantahala National Forest. Ideal candidates will live locally and be able to provide their own transportation to a meeting site at the beginning of each week.

Schedule: Crew will work 4 ten hour days, followed by 3 days off. Each work day starts at 7 AM and finishes around 5:30 PM each day.

Benefits:

Member compensation and benefits include a package valued at over $2,000/mo.

Members will receive a Living Allowance of $600.00 a week ($15/hr) paid biweekly by direct deposit.

Members obtain an Education Award for the amount of $1,459.26 for completing 300 hours of service

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 workday during term of service. When working in or near Pisgah or Nantahala NF, members may stay at an ACE provided campground with the ACE Crew Leader. Each member will provide their own blankets/pillow/sleeping bag/towels.

Members must provide their own transportation to the worksite at the beginning of each week, after which the ACE Crew Leader will drive the Crew to the worksites for the rest of the week in an ACE provided vehicle.

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. Each 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: This position requires a vehicle, or a means of transportation to get out to the worksite at the start of each week. 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.

Field work will entail predominantly invasive plant identification, management, treatment, and/or removal.

Members may 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 4 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.

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
• A willingness create an inclusive and welcoming space within our program
• Access to transportation to and from the worksite

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
• A positive mental attitude!

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 required for 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 as well as 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 change frequently; 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 self, 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, complete a motivational statement (instructions are provided when applying) OR upload a cover letter, and provide at least 2 references that are either professional or from a community leader (e.g. colleagues, teachers, counselors, religious leaders, career advisors). Navigate to our website (usaconservation dot org) to view other listings, and 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 Ian McGufficke.

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 with ACE is based upon ability, qualifications, attitude, and job-related factors. Every qualified employee 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, creed, sex, gender, national origin, pregnancy, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information (including of a family member), veteran or military status, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, 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.

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