Overview

ACE AZ/UT – AmeriCorps Professional Development Internship (Conservation Corps)

Work location(s):   Flagstaff, AZ; Hurricane, UT.

Start date(s): August 23 & September 6th

Summary: Based in Flagstaff, Arizona, and St. George, Utah, American Conservation Experience (ACE) is a non-profit conservation corps dedicated to providing professional development and outdoor job skills training  to youth (18-25) interested in careers related to conservation and land management. As a member organization of the 21st Century Conservation Service Corps (21CSC), ACE is dedicated to developing present and future generations of environmental stewards while protecting and restoring public and tribal lands throughout the nation. 

ACE is seeking AmeriCorps Interns dedicated to working 12-25 weeks on outdoor conservation projects.  

This opportunity is intended for enthusiastic young adults with a background in an environmental field and/or a dedicated interest in pursuing a career in conservation and environmental stewardship. These internships provide the opportunity to learn and train among professional mentors and participate in significant conservation and land management projects.  AmeriCorps Interns will also gain leadership skills while helping to supervise, train, and generally support ACE conservation volunteers who are rotated through long term projects. 

Qualifications:  Successful ACE Corps Members all share an interest in environmental conservation and volunteerism. Applicants should take joy in tackling challenging situations with a positive mindset and be willing to undertake arduous physical work in all types of weather and terrain while participating as a team member, dedicated to ACE’s mission.

ACE’s AmeriCorps Professional Development Program is meant as a stepping stone to environmental careers and/or as a gateway to potential leadership positions within ACE, not only as an interesting and rewarding way to spend up to 25 weeks working in beautiful locations. Applicants should look at this internship as a career opportunity rather than a “job”. Drug users, including recreational smokers of marijuana, should not consider applying, as ACE reserves the right to require drug testing and generally abhors the presence of drug users in our program. 

Internship Responsibilities and Expectations: ACE places high standards and expectations for AmeriCorps interns. All interns must successfully complete their term of service by completing 450-900 hours (3-6 months) of service.

ACE crews support land management agencies such as the National Park Service (NPS) and US Forest Service (USFS) in completing conservation projects such as trail construction/maintenance, habitat restoration, fuels reduction, fence installation, and wildlife surveys. ACE crews are generally composed of 8 – 12 corps members and typically work 80 hours over 8 to 9 consecutive days in the field.

ACE projects require a safe and professional environment, physically demanding manual labor, and a positive attitude.  Interns are expected to hike long distances on rough terrain, complete labor intensive tasks, persevere through adverse weather conditions, and demonstrate mutual respect towards all corps members within the program. AmeriCorps members will be held accountable for making safety a top priority and serving as a positive role model for other corps members. 

Other Requirements:

•        Internship is available to US Citizens and Green Card holders only. 

•        Must be over 18 years of age.

•        Interns must have personal medical insurance for the duration of their participation with ACE. 

•        ACE will provide tents to all interns (upon request) but all other camping items such as sturdy boots, sleeping bags, backpacks, and rain gear must be provided by successful applicants.

Remuneration:  Interns will obtain a $1468.00 to $2,775.00 education award (depending on term of service) upon successful completion of service. The education award can be allocated towards most past, present, and future endeavors in secondary education or vocational pursuits. ACE aims to prevent financial hardship by providing interns with free meals/food during all project days as well as free dorm-style housing in Flagstaff or Hurricane during off days. ACE members save over $600 per month due to ACE accommodations with free housing and food. 900 hour members will receive a small living stipend in addition.

Training: AmeriCorps interns may have the opportunity to attend training courses such as S-212 Chainsaw use, Wilderness First Aid and CPR. Orientation upon arrival in the program will include AmeriCorps training, an ACE overview, safety, and leave no trace ethics. Depending on the project schedule, interns will gain a hands-on experience in trail construction, dry-stone masonry, ecological restoration, and/or fence installation/removal.