Vegetation Management Member - Bryce Canyon National Park

Job Description
Summary: American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service, is seeking ONE Vegetation Management member to contribute to natural resource projects alongside Bryce Canyon National Park staff.

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

Start Date: May 30, 2022

End Date: November 11, 2022

*a 24-week minimum commitment is required *

Location: Bryce Canyon National Park - Bryce, UT

Bryce Canyon National Park is home to a variety of natural and cultural resources. The limestone breaks which give rise to the famous hoodoo formations that attract millions of visitors each year also provide habitat for unique plant and animal species, today and in the past. Those species also provided for human development in the Bryce Canyon area. Today the park has a rich diversity of both prehistoric Native American and Euro-American histories. Bryce Canyon is home to many plant communities common to the Colorado Plateau, as well as plant communities associated with the unique geology of Southern Utah.

For more information about Bryce Canyon, please visit https://www.nps.gov/brca/index.htm.

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $660/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

Housing: The ACE Member will be accommodated in park housing at an additional cost for the duration of the term, based on availability.

Position Description:

The ACE Member will work with and assist the Bryce Canyon National Park Vegetation Management team in all tasks associated with non-native plant control and re-vegetation in the park. The work can include surveys, restoration, seeding and seed collection, as well as specific directed control operations. Control will be done using both manual and chemical control techniques including the spraying of herbicide. The ACE Member should be familiar with traveling to and working in remote areas, with exposure to changing environmental conditions. This is a great opportunity to learn and practice natural resource management techniques and the laws, policies, and regulations that guide them, all within the setting of a heavily-visited, iconic national park. There will be some opportunities to join other resource management crews and gain experience in other tasks.

Major duties will include:

1) Participates in planning, coordinating, and implementing invasive plant species control throughout the park. Performs various control techniques, including mechanical, chemical, and cultural strategies. Records treatment information using Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

2) Completes revegetation work to help the recovery of areas that have been impacted by visitor use and park construction projects. Tasks include social trail obliteration, seed collection and re-planting, native plant salvage, soil improvements, erosion mitigation, and the construction of barriers to protect sites from impacts.

3) Completes restoration tasks to improve forest and meadow habitat of the park. Tasks include mechanical thinning of trees and shrubs, removal of invasive species, and planting of native species.

4) Collects vegetation field data on various media. Conducts surveys and evaluations related to treatment efficacy, species populations, forest health, and other related topics. Maintains related databases, forms, maps, and files. Enters natural resource data and information into park databases. Summarizes restoration work in written reports.

5) Follows BRCA and NPS guidelines, written project specifications, and all best management practices when completing natural resource management tasks. Ensures safety is accounted for during all aspects of work. Reports accidents immediately to BRCA and ACE contacts.

6) Leads conservation corps crews and volunteer groups in vegetation management tasks. Communicates important information to peers and project leaders regarding project status.

This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups.

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: 
Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a hiring authority upon completion of their term of service.

Qualifications

Required:

• Members must be U.S. citizens or Permanent Residents, as required to comply with U.S. government contracts
• Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner
• Ability to be self-directed when working alone, as well as a positive and contributing member of a group
• 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
• Previous experience / training in the use of chainsaws for vegetation management
• Physical requirements include the ability to work in mountainous terrain, hike for long distances, carry a backpack / gear, complete repetitive tasks, and lift up to 50 lbs
• 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

HIGHLY Preferred:

• Formal training and experience using hand tools and power tools commonly used in restoration work - including chainsaws, brush cutters, shovels, mattocks, and handsaws
• S212 Chainsaw Certification
• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a bachelor's degree in Natural Resource Management, Ecology, Environmental Science, Conservation, Botany, or related field - and / or - have relevant experience in subject areas such as vegetation and habitat restoration projects
• Knowledge of invasive species management and use of chemical treatments
• Familiarity with plant species of the Colorado Plateau

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/. Early consideration will be given as resumes are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position, please feel free to contact National Recruitment Specialist, Shannon Borowy, at sborowy@usaconservation.org.

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.