ACE AmeriCorps Migratory Bird National Wildlife Refuge Trail Crew Member - May 24th (8 Weeks)

Summary: American Conservation Experience (ACE) is a nonprofit Conservation Corps that is currently seeking energetic, ambitious emerging conservation and restoration professionals to participate as AmeriCorps members in a 300 hour program of outdoor skills training focused on Trail Work.

The primary focus of this position will be trail building and maintenance and , but other tasks such as historical preservation and habitat restoration may be required. Corps Members volunteer their energy, enthusiasm, and working long hours in adverse weather conditions, to do work that is not always glamorous. This opportunity is intended for environmental stewards who are eager to give back to our public lands.

Our mission is to introduce and prepare Corps Members for careers in resource management with ACE, with other conservation corps, or with public land management agencies such as the National Park Service, US Forest Service, US Fish and Wildlife, State Parks, or the Bureau of Land Management, along with others. The Eastern Region encompasses a vast area ranging from New Jersey to Florida, the Outer Banks to the Mississippi, and everywhere in between.

*A 8 week (300 Hour), commitment is required. There may be opportunities available to continue with ACE after your term for the best performing crew members. Extensions of service are also dependent on merit, available projects in the field and seasonal constraints. This is a 5 member crew (plus one Crew Leader).

Start Date: May 24th (first day (of 4) virtual orientation)
First day in Field: May 31st, 2021
Estimated End Date: July 31st, 2021
Location: Flint Hills National Wildlife Refuge

Schedule : All participants must be flexible and willing to be assigned to a variety of locations and for multiple agencies, wherever the community needs are the highest. Project schedules vary greatly, but typically trail crew Corps Members will be assigned to a long-term project. Long-term project assignments are necessary to extend advanced training to crew members, as well as invest your skills and commitment to see a project through to completion.

Crew Members' project schedule consists of multiple short-term "hitches" on average 4-5 days long. ACE provides a schedule to active members clearly detailing your service days, days off, location, and more.

Benefits: Members will receive a Living Allowance Stipend of $140/week, paid bi-weekly.

Corps Members obtain an Education Award for the amount of $1,289.95 for a 300-hour position upon successful completion of service.

ACE provides Corps Members with food on project days; Corps Members are responsible for providing their own food on off-days.

ACE provides Corps Members will be provided housing for the duration of the project at the refuge headquarters, but will still be expected to anticipate camping if the need arises. The member will provide his or her own blankets/pillow/sleeping bag/towels.

Gear: ACE provides each member with their own tent. The member will provide his or her own sleeping bag, sleeping pad, rain gear, and hiking boots. Upon acceptance to the program, Corps Members will receive a more extensive packing list. Weather during this time of year can be highly variable, bring layers and adequate rain gear, but expect hot midwest summer heat.

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:

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 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 and other duties might include but are not limited to:

• The construction of drainage structures
• Moving, placing, and installing gravel for developed trials
• Removal of vegetation within the trail corridor
• The removal or relocation of rocks using rigging systems
• The construction of stone and wood trail structures such as staircases and turnpikes
• Movement of equipment and maintenance
• Hiking up to 10 miles a day

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

• Trail Maintenance: Pick mattocks, Pulaskis, shovels, single/double jacks, McLeods, single bit axes, rock bars, chisels, crosscut saws, and griphoists
• Power Tools and Gas Powered Equipment: Chainsaws, brush-cutters, drills, saws, and compressors

AmeriCorps Members will also gain leadership skills while implementing field safety principles in a team environment. Leadership, responsibility, and professionalism are not only encouraged they are expected on off-days and at ACE housing. Each member is required to participate in at least one environmental volunteer event (Volunteer Service Project VSP). The goal is to represent AmeriCorps, inspire service, and complete environmental volunteer service alongside local residents for the common good.

All ACE field work is physically demanding, often requiring extended stays in the field. This position requires hiking, backpacking, camping and cooking outdoors while at front country.

Field work and other duties might include but are not limited to:

• Habitat restoration
• Trail construction and maintenance
• Dry and wet stone masonry
• Wetland restoration
• Reforestation
• Plant identification
• Historical preservation
• Fencing
• Invasive species removal

Common Activities, Tools and Gear that you will find on ACE restoration projects: Handsaws, Loppers, Backpack sprayers, Chainsaws, Dobber bottles, GPS units, Biltmore sticks, Hatchets, Brush cutters, Hand-weeding, Native Species Planting, Live Staking, Erosion control, Spill kit expertise, Hand wash station set up, Wind meter, Pesticide label literate.

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 40 lbs, and be prepared to spend up to 8 consecutive days in the field, on one project. Corps 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. AmeriCorps Members serving with ACE should have an interest in topics like biology, botany (both native and invasive), wildlife ecology, forestry, biodiversity, conservation, outdoor recreation, land management and habitat restoration. The desire to constantly stay educated and informed about the work and methods and that finish tasks thoroughly.

ACE's Conservation Corps program is meant as a stepping stone to environmental careers and as a gateway to potential advancement within ACE, not only as an interesting and rewarding way to spend several weeks working in beautiful locations.

Required:

U.S. Citizen or permanent resident

Must be between the ages of 18 and 35

Able and willing to work in a group

Positivity + Attention to detail + Unwavering work ethic and drive.

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 background check

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 (including recreational use of Marijuana) and underage drinking. ACE reserves the right to require drug testing.

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

To Apply: Please submit a resume and cover letter along with 3 professional references using the APPLY NOW section located on the upper right hand corner of the position listing on our website here: https://usaconservationcrew.applicantpool.com/jobs/

NOTE: Early consideration will be given as applications are received. This position may close at any time, and is open until filled. If you have any questions regarding this position, please feel free to contact Benton Wright, the North Carolina Outreach Coordinator, at bwright@usaconservation.org

Also, consider checking out our Facebook page and social media for more details about ACE!

www.facebook.com/usaconservation

www.usaconservation.org

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) To file a complaint of discrimination: write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.