Conservation Crew Member
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.
ACE AmeriCorps Conservation Crew Member with Wilderness First Aid & Chainsaw Training: 900 hour (6-month) position
Upcoming Start dates:
September 12th, 2022
October 10th, 2022
Estimated End Dates:
September 12, 2022 - March 11th, 2023 (25 weeks)
October 10th, 2022 - April 8th, 2023 (25 weeks)
We have set start dates based on a required orientation. We are regularly posting new start dates throughout the year. If this start date does not work for you feel free to "Sign Up for Job Alerts" for future position announcements.
Location:
Work projects will take place throughout Arizona. Our office and most of our member housing is located in Flagstaff, AZ. Some projects will include spending up to two months working and living at our satellite locations based out of Prescott, AZ or Tucson, AZ.
Compensation and Benefits:
- Members receive a $720 bi-weekly living allowance
- Upon successful completion of a full term, AmeriCorps Members receive an Education Award of $3,172.50 (for 900 hours/25 weeks)
- Wilderness First Aid & 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 Flagstaff, members spend off days in our hostel-style housing in Flagstaff, AZ. When working remotely, members will be provided housing in those remote locations. Housing may come 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.
ACE projects typically include:
- Trail construction and maintenance
- Invasive species removal
- Habitation restoration
- Fence installation/repair
- Dry and wet stone masonry
- Forest management
- Fire fuels reduction
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.
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.
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.
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 in Flagstaff, but they may spend off days in other locations during projects further away from Flagstaff. 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.
Regarding Covid-19:
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.
To Apply:
Please submit a Cover Letter, Resume, and 3 Professional References using the APPLY NOW section located on the upper right hand corner of this position listing. You may submit a traditional cover letter, or you may submit a motivational statement instead which sincerely describes your interests, skills, professional goals, and any other relevant information in regards to this opportunity. This is your opportunity to stand out and express why you are a great addition to our teams, in your own words.
Check out our website and social media pages for photos and feedback!
For Southwest Arizona application questions, contact:
Bec Rosenblum - rrosenblum@usaconservation.org
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.