Deadline: Wed, 11/15/2023 - 12:00pm Employer: American Conservation Experience Job Field: Forestry Job Type: Seasonal, Temporary, Internship Location: Texas Location Detail: Victoria, Texas Job Description: 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. Start Date: January 15th, 2024 Estimated End Date: approx. April 6th, 2024 Location: Work projects will take place throughout the Gulf Coast and Southeastern Texas. Members will be based out of Victoria, TX. Benefits: Members receive a $720 bi-weekly living allowance Boot Stipend - members will receive $200 towards fire-grade boots. Upon successful completion of a full term, AmeriCorps Members receive an Education Award (Award amount TBD - will be updated when avaliable) S-130/S-190/L-180 Fire training with Incident Qualification Card (also known as Red Card, an accepted interagency certification needed for wildland firefighting positions) pending a pack test. *See Qualifications and Requirements below Wilderness First Aid (WFA) certification and Chainsaw Training. 3 meals per day while on project (approximately 16 days/month) ACE provides members with free housing during their term of service. When working in or near Victoria, members spend off days in a furnished house in Victoria, TX. When working remotely, members will be provided housing or accommodations in the form of ACE owned or rented properties, Air BnBs, or campgrounds.The member will provide their own blankets/pillow/sleeping bag/towels. Use of a tent throughout your term is provided by ACE Transportation to and from worksites is provided by ACE Some members are eligible for preferential hiring status following their term of service. Corps members who serve a minimum of 640 total hours with 200 of those hours on an eligible public land project may qualify for Public Land Corps non-competitive hiring status. Position Description: Corps 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 provided opportunities to learn and train under the guidance of professional mentors within ACE, while gaining invaluable career perspectives. ACE Members will become proficient in environmental stewardship practices, general worksite safety, Leave No Trace principles, herbicide application, and resume building. Additionally, this position requires that members plan and facilitate a community engagement event, professional development training, and a conservation-related lesson for your crew. This position will focus specifically on invasive species removal using herbicide and chainsaws. Approximately 25 - 40% of the position will be a fire component, working on prescribed burns. Gear: ACE provides each member with their own tent. The member will provide their 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 before 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. 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. Please note that the fire component of this position requires extreme scheduling flexibility. Prescribed burns may need to be rescheduled or postponed for optimal weather and safety conditions. Please expect this position to have a widely varying schedule. Qualifications: Qualifications: Applicants must be capable of performing physically demanding labor on environmental and conservation projects for 10 hours a day. Applicants should expect to hike extended distances on rough terrain carrying up to 40 lbs, 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. Members should be prepared to live in communal housing with other members of the program. Members should expect to have roommates, and must inform staff of any housing preferences or required accommodations. *Members will also have to pass a pack test in order to receive a red card and remain in this role. The pack test includes a 3 mile walk/hike in 45 minutes or less while carrying 45 lbs. 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 Ability and willingness to undergo a Federal criminal history check ACE Members must verify that they are fully vaccinated for Covid-19 or have requested and been granted a medical or religious exemption to vaccination by the time they start their term. This position requires that each member acquire their own set of fire-specific boots 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 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. 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. Salary: 720/Biweekly, food and housing provided Benefits: Members receive a $720 bi-weekly living allowance Boot Stipend - members will receive $200 towards fire-grade boots. Upon successful completion of a full term, AmeriCorps Members receive an Education Award (Award amount TBD - will be updated when avaliable) S-130/S-190/L-180 Fire training with Incident Qualification Card (also known as Red Card, an accepted interagency certification needed for wildland firefighting positions) pending a pack test. *See Qualifications and Requirements below Wilderness First Aid (WFA) certification and Chainsaw Training. 3 meals per day while on project (approximately 16 days/month) ACE provides members with free housing during their term of service. When working in or near Victoria, members spend off days in a furnished house in Victoria, TX. When working remotely, members will be provided housing or accommodations in the form of ACE owned or rented properties, Air BnBs, or campgrounds.The member will provide their own blankets/pillow/sleeping bag/towels. Use of a tent throughout your term is provided by ACE Transportation to and from worksites is provided by ACE Some members are eligible for preferential hiring status following their term of service. Corps members who serve a minimum of 640 total hours with 200 of those hours on an eligible public land project may qualify for Public Land Corps non-competitive hiring status. How to Apply: 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 two references that are either professional or from a community leader (e.g., colleagues, teachers, counselors, religious leaders, career advisors) using the APPLY NOW section located on the upper right-hand corner of the position listing on our website: https://usaconservationcrew.applicantpool.com/jobs/. Questions? Reach out to Sabrina Caruso, Member Support Coordinator, at scaruso@usaconservation.org NOTE: Early consideration will be given as applications are received. This position may close at any time. EEO: American Conservation Experience provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, American Conservation Experience complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location where the company has facilities.
