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Summary: American Conservation Experience is a Non-Profit Conservation Corps currently seeking energetic, ambitious young adults to participate as AmeriCorps members in a 16 OR30-week outdoor skills training program. Our mission is to introduce and prepare corps members for careers in resource management with ACE, with other conservation corps, or with public agencies such as the National Park Service, US Forest Service, US Fish and Wildlife, CA State Parks, or the Bureau of Land Management, among others.
ACE is currently seeking corps members for an AmeriCorps 450 – OR – 900 HOUR term in 2018, in our Southern Regional Headquarters of the ACE Pacific West branch…
Start Date: August 27th, 2018* End Date: December 15th, 2018 (450 Hours)
-OR-
Start Date: August 27th, 2018* End Date: March 23rd, 2019 (900 Hours)
*Depending on your preference, a 450/900-hour, 16/30-week commitment is required. In either commitment, an early arrival of 8/25 or 8/26 would be expected for out-of-state members to initiate CA state criminal history checks. There may be opportunities available to continue with ACE after the term is complete for the best performing crew members. Extensions to service are also dependent on available projects in the field and seasonal constraints. For those serving 900-hours/30 weeks, December 15th is the final date of the 2018 season, in which a mandatory holiday furlough will begin. No field projects or ACE housing will be available during the holiday furlough. Members continuing service in 2019 will plan to depart ACE housing and return the week of Monday, January 14, 2019.
Position Description: AmeriCorps Members in the ACE Conservation Corps program will spend several months learning techniques of conservation and land management while training on complex trail construction, forestry, and environmental restoration projects under the guidance of ACE’s most highly skilled staff members. The goal of the position is to accomplish meaningful project work for a variety of public land management agencies while becoming proficient in advanced field techniques such as trail construction, invasive species removal, ecological restoration, and dry stone masonry.
AmeriCorps Members will also gain leadership skills while implementing field safety principles in a team environment, interacting with various other Corps members currently serving or who join later in the season. Leadership, responsibility, and professionalism are encouraged and expected on off-days and at ACE housing. Each member is required to participate in one environmental volunteer event during your 450 Hour commitment, or two events if serving 900 hours. Your Volunteer Service Project (VSP) includes completing an additional 3 or 6 total hours within the community nearest one’s service. 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 stints in the backcountry and/or extended stays in the field. This position requires hiking, backpacking, camping and cooking outdoors while at front country and wilderness spike camps.
Location: Field projects will potentially take place at various locations throughout the Pacific-West region during the fall and winter of 2018 and into the 2019 season. We anticipate that all corps members will arrive, depart, and be based in our Southern Regional (Dulzura, CA) housing location, and be participating in projects based regionally in the vicinity. ACE will provide all work-related transportation to your field projects. All participants must be flexible and willing to be assigned to a variety of locations and for multiple agencies, wherever community need is the highest. ACE is asked to complete various project assignments and timelines that range in length from one week to several months, so members may experience a range of opportunities during their three-month term. 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 is comprised of multiple short-term ‘hitches’ on average 8-11 days long. Members return to the same project until completion, and/or to other projects in motion. Flexibility is necessary for locations during days-off, and will most often be spent in our Southern Regional housing or potentially time-off on project sites themselves. ACE provides a schedule to active members clearly detailing your service days, days off, location, and more.
Financial Benefits:
A living stipend will be allotted in the amount of $110 per week. This is a gross amount before taxes, and the standard amount of state and federal income taxes/withholdings may be applied by law.
For those serving 900 hours through the winter furlough, living allowance payments will not be provided during the non-service weeks from 12/16/17 – 1/14/18. No AmeriCorps time sheets are submitted, as no service is taking place, and one is off-duty during the winter furlough.
Upon successful completion of the program, members receive a Half-Time Segal Education Award of $1566.14 (Quarter Time/450 HOURS ) OR- $2,960.00 (Half time/900 HOURS) to be used to pay future tuition or existing federal student loans. More information regarding amount and eligibility, see the AmeriCorps website. Food is provided on project days, and housing (volunteer housing, tents, limited facilities) is included both on and off projects.
Qualifications: AmeriCorps members serving with ACE should have an established interest in conservation issues and should take joy in tackling challenging situations with a positive mindset. Applicants must be willing to undertake arduous physical work in all types of weather and terrain, and to participate as a team member dedicated to ACE’s mission. 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. Drug users, including users of marijuana, should not consider applying as ACE reserves the right to require drug testing and absolutely abhors the presence of drug users in our program. ACE intends to be a positive influence and intends to create safe and healthy environments for our members. The culture of alcohol and tobacco use is also restricted from ACE property and not supported by our mission of professionalism and personal development.
Other Requirements:
- Program is available to US Citizens and Green Card holders only.
- Members must have personal medical insurance for the duration of their participation with ACE.
- To prove eligibility and citizenship, members must be able to provide ORIGINALS of the following documents: 1) Social Security card, 2) Passport OR- Birth certificate, 3) Photo ID (passport, driver’s license, military license, or student ID)
- ACE will provide tents to all Members (upon request) but all other camping items such as sturdy boots, sleeping bags, backpacks, and raingear must be provided by the applicant.
- Due to fire hazard conditions in ACE (specifically in California), smoking will not be permitted at any work site. Additionally smoking will not be permitted when spiked at undeveloped campgrounds or when serving backcountry. Smoking may permitted at ACE housing but will be restricted to designated areas.
- This position is an AmeriCorps “covered position” and will require a heightened criminal history check.Applicants are required to disclose any criminal history record and consent to a three part Criminal History Check. The position with ACE will be considered conditional until all checks return and are fully reviewed. There are certain criminal convictions that make applicants ineligible for service with AmeriCorps and/or ACE. If you would like further clarification on this please ask as part of the application process.
Age: AmeriCorps guidelines require 18-25 of age, however ACE as the host organization has the discretion to set age guidelines, and we do not have an upper age limit.
Training: Trainings include Leave No Trace (LNT), general restoration management, and trails training. Certification-type training like CPR and Wilderness First Aid is likely planned for the 900-hour term only. Practical work and environmental training abound, we encourage the growth of our corps members to continue and develop to eventually be present for future certifications that become available with an extended commitment. Membership spanning several seasons allows for additional training opportunities.
Positions open until filled, but are in high demand. Apply now!
To Apply: Fill in your basic information and click “APPLY FOR THIS POSITION” located on the upper right hand corner of the position listing above or find on our website here: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/
Upload all requested documents including your motivation statement, resume, and 3 professional references. Rather than a traditional cover letter, please include a motivation statement 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 fit for our program, in your own words.
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 the California Outreach Coordinator, Marcel Coppolino at 928-814-3191 or marcel@usaconservation.org.
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