ACE AmeriCorps Conservation Crew Member - Chainsaw Crew - Asheville (NC) - April 27th Start

Summary: American Conservation Experience (ACE) is a national nonprofit Conservation Corps in Asheville NC, in partnership with AmeriCorps.

ACE is seeking Corps Members dedicated to serving 26 weeks on conservation projects, including habitat restoration and trail construction & maintenance. This opportunity is intended for young individuals (18-30) with a deep interest in advancing their environmental career and enthusiastic to receive Saw Training.

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 South East Region encompasses a vast area ranging from New Jersey to Florida, the Outer Banks to the Mississippi, and then everywhere in between.

Start Date: April 27th, 2021

Estimated End Date: October 30th, 2021 (900 hour)

Location: Asheville, NC

Saw Training: Trainees will receive a Wilderness First Aid course, learn basic sawing theory and technique, bucking and limbing technique, and maintenance of professional grade chainsaws.

Schedule: Project schedules vary greatly, but typically Corps Members work 4 days on/ 3 days off. For remote projects and during Covid, Corps Members spend off-days nearer to their project location, away from Asheville. Remote projects typically last about three weeks, with the 4 days on/3 days off schedule.

Projects take place throughout the East. Frequently, teams work in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Pisgah National Forest, Blue Ridge Parkway, Congaree National Forest, and Daniel Boone National Forest.

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

Corps Members obtain an Education Award for the amount of $3,172.50 (900 AmeriCorps Hours - about 26 weeks). The Education Award is contingent on successful completion of service.

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

ACE provides Corps Members with housing during their term of service. When working in or near North Carolina, Corps Members spend off-days in our hostel-style housing in Asheville. When working remotely, Corps Members will be provided housing in those remote locations or will camp on their off-days. The member will provide his or her own blankets/pillow/sleeping bag/towels.

Gear: ACE provides each member their own tent. The member will provide his or her own sleeping bag, sleeping pad, rain gear, hiking boots. Upon acceptance to the program, Corps Members will receive a more extensive packing list. Weather up and down the East can be highly variable so plan on bringing layers of warm clothing and adequate rain gear.

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:

• Habitat restoration
• Trail construction and maintenance
• Dry and wet stone masonry
• Reforestation
• Plant identification
• Seed collection
• Fencing
• Invasive species removal
• Swamping

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

• Power Tools and Gas Powered Equipment: Chainsaws, brush-cutters, drills, saws, and compressors
• Trail Maintenance: Pick mattocks, Pulaskis, shovels, single/double jacks, McLeods, single bit axes, rock bars, chisels, crosscut saws, and griphoists
• Restoration Equipment: Herbicide backpack sprayers, spray bottles, GPS units, and measuring tools

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 60 lbs, and be prepared to spend 8 consecutive days in the field, on one project. Corps Members will work and operate chainsaws 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
• Must be between the ages of 18 and 35
• Ability and willingness to undergo a Federal criminal background check
• Perform duties in inclement weather on steep terrain without access to restrooms or developed sanitation facilities.

Preferred:

• Possess a team-first, positive mindset, strong and proactive work ethic, and professional demeanor.
• 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 (including recreational pot-smoking) and underage drinking. ACE reserves the right to require drug testing.

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.

To Apply: Please submit a thoughtful 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://usaconservationepic.applicantpool.com/jobs/

Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

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, you may contact the North Carolina Outreach Coordinator, Benton Wright at (928) 864-8412 or bwright@usaconservation.org