Forestry & Prescribed Fire

ACE EPIC placements provide recent young adult graduates with focused, hands-on opportunities to work alongside and under the guidance of agency mentors as they apply their knowledge of resource management on their path to becoming the next generation of resource and land managers.

Summary: American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking 1 Forest & Prescribed Fire Member work alongside South Arkansas National Wildlife Refuges Complex staff.

During this term, the ACE member will work Under the direction of the administrative forester, plans and carries out forest inventories for collecting field data on timber volumes, species composition and distribution, growth rates, forest cover types, reproduction trends, management units, habitat improvement opportunities, wildlife habitat conditions, and other pertinent information required in accordance with Service policy. Analyzes, evaluates and summaries data. Uses GIS and GPS to track and manage forest/wildlife assets and other pertinent items such as roads. This incumbent is responsible for neat and accurate computation of cruise data using software such as T-cruise or Two Dog.

Additionally the selected candidate will serve as wildland firefighter on a prescribed fire crew. Performs all aspects of prescribed fire operations including preparation, ignition, monitoring, holding and mop-up. The incumbent may be assigned for varying periods into positions within the wildland fire program where an individual's specialized skills are required. If the incumbent completes the required training/qualifications; this may become an arduous position and subject to medical screening and physical fitness testing.

For more information about ACE, please visit: www.usaconservation.org.

Start Date: Late-October, 2021

End Date: 52-weeks later (prior to 12/31/2022)

**52-week commitment required**

Location: South Arkansas National Wildlife Refuges Complex

The South Arkansas Refuges Complex includes Felsenthal, Pond Creek, and Overflow National Wildlife Refuges.

This low lying area is dissected by an intricate system of rivers, creeks, sloughs, buttonbush swamps and lakes throughout a vast bottomland hardwood forest that gradually rises to an upland forest community. Historically, periodic flooding of the "bottoms" during winter and spring provided excellent wintering waterfowl habitat. These wetlands, in combination with the pine and upland hardwood forest on the higher ridges, support a wide diversity of native plants and animals.

For more information about South Arkansas National Wildlife Complex, please visit: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Felsenthal/About_the_Complex.html

Work Schedule: Bi-weekly totals should not exceed 80 hours. A flexible work schedule may be required, which could involve work performed outside of normal work hours including on weekends and/or holidays. Time off may be granted and requests should be directed to ACE and the FWS for approval.

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute approximately 40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $350/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

Housing: ACE members will be accommodated in provided agency housing at no cost for the duration of the term.

AmeriCorps: This position may be eligible for a 1700-hour AmeriCorps Education Award ($6,195) upon successful completion of service hours. Additional enrollment and volunteer service is required.

Public Land Corps (PLC) Non-competitive Hiring Authority: Members serving on this project may be eligible to receive a Department of the Interior (DOI) PLC non-competitive hiring authority certificate upon completion of their term of service.

Position Description:

This individual placement is meant to facilitate personal growth and professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with agency professionals. This could include gaining experience in a variety of conservation fields and/or shadowing different work groups.

Primary Duties include:

• Selectively marks timber for sale in accordance with approved silvicultural techniques and determines the forest stand volumes, all in compliance with the refuge Forest Management Plan. Assists Administrative Forester in preparing bid invitations for the sale of forest products.
• Assists in the inspections of timber harvest operations to ensure compliance with provisions of Special Use Permits.
• Assist Administrative Forester in the planning and implementation of reforestation projects.
• Assists with the control of invasive and nuisance species. Identifies, maps, and treats areas with invasive plant species such as Chinese tallow tree, Japanese Climbing Fern etc. Carriers out beaver control activities, including removal of beaver dams to protect valuable timber/wildlife resources
• Responsible for operation and maintenance of specialized equipment used to respond to forestry and prescribed fire situation. Operates a variety of motor vehicles to transport equipment, supplies, etc. Operates a variety of motorized equipment including but not limited to ATV/UTV's, skid steers and agricultural tractors.
• Performs vegetation management practices for the purpose of reducing or reorganizing fuel loadings including mowing, masticating, piling or applying herbicide. May utilizes agricultural and heavy machinery for vegetation management.
• Serves as a qualified chainsaw operator and chainsaw maintenance technician.

Physical Requirements: This position requires physical exertion such as walking long distances over wet and rough surfaces while carrying up to 40 lbs.; bending, crouching, stooping, lifting or reaching. Hand and finger dexterity and physical coordination may involve fine and precise procedures, delicate adjustments or exact measurements.

EnvironmentalConditions/Hazards: The Forest & Prescribed Fire Technician 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.

Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety: If a vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties, one will be provided by the FWS or ACE. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the FWS. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the FWS, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to FWS and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required.

Qualifications:

Required

• Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.
• Ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group.
• U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
• A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
• Willing to undergo and must pass required criminal history checks.
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to work alone and in a group
• Ability to use computer technology to maintain and retrieve information from automated data systems, develop spreadsheets, and use word processing and statistical software programs in order to develop reports.
• Familiarity with geographic information system (GIS), aerial photography and survey techniques, and global positioning systems (GPS).
• Ability to communicate in writing in order to assist in the preparation of wildlife management survey summaries
• Knowledge of the USFWS mission

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a bachelor's degree in Fire Ecology, Environmental Studies, Wildlife Biology, Forestry, Natural Resource Management, or other related field of study appropriate to this position.

• Experience in biological fieldwork, equipment maintenance
• Education and/or experience using Geographic Information Systems, mapping, GPS

To Apply: Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience, and contact information for three professional/academic references to the online application page for this position here: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/.

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 ACE EPIC USFWS Recruitment and Member Manager, Dave Hecker, dhecker@usaconservation.org, (801) 386-1629.

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 non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.