Overview

American Conservation Experience – Pacific West Region
AmeriCorps Team Leader, 900 Hour Membership – 2021 Season

Start Date: April 5th, April 19th, April 26th, 2021 (alternative starting dates may be available, please inquire

Available openings: 6

Summary: American Conservation Experience (ACE) is seeking AmeriCorps Team Leaders (ATLs) committed to working 26 weeks (900 hours) from start date, on outdoor conservation projects. Options to extend service, reenroll in alternative AmeriCorps service commitment, and promotions to ACE staff position are all possible based on available vacancies and performance. American Conservation Experience is a national non-profit conservation corps dedicated to providing career development and outdoor experiential learning opportunities to energetic and diverse individuals interested in careers related to environmental conservation. The ACE AmeriCorps ATL program engages and motivates participants seeking to broaden their leadership skills and expand professional knowledge in the field of conservation.

Position Description: As a member of ACE crew, AmeriCorps Team Leaders (ATLs) assist Crew Leaders in the logistics and administration of teams of Conservation Corps members performing environmental conservation and restoration projects throughout the state of California. The ACE Pacific West Division is also able to travel to neighboring states if project assignments demand. ATLs provide leadership to Corps members, training in technical skills and lead partial teams of Corpsmembers. ATLs also may train Corpsmembers in conservation work skills and outdoor living skills. Work projects are almost exclusively outdoors, involve 80 hours (eight 10-hour days) over 2 week trips, of strenuous physical labor in all weather conditions and climates, and may involve backcountry camping for several days at a time in remote wilderness locations.

Location: Work projects will take place throughout the Pacific West, most assignments planned in California. Member housing is in Sacramento, CA and Ridgecrest, CA, depending on project assignment.

·         ACE housing is shared among all current members and staff. Basic accommodations include bed, personal storage, running hot/cold water, shared bathrooms, WI-FI, and full shared kitchen and furnished living + dining room

·         Projects are expected to be within a several hour driving radius of housing, with transportation to and from the project site provided by ACE

·         Both frontcountry and remote backcountry camping are expected for crews this season

Projects may take place at high elevation uplands and mountains of the Eastern Sierras, coastal areas, sand dunes, wetlands, valleys, deserts of Southern California, grasslands, and inland foothills where temperatures vary from very cold and rainy to very hot and dry, You can expect to experience a combination of conditions from frost or rain, high winds, to thick fog, to extremely dry conditions. Do not underestimate California’s weather, be prepared!
Schedule: AmeriCorps Members typically work 10 hours per day for 8 consecutive days while camping in remote wilderness areas. Between work projects Corps Members will generally have 6 days off in either Ridgecrest or Sacramento. Typically location of home base will remain the same for the duration of AmeriCorps term. Applicants should expect the ACE project schedule to vary, including the possibility of participating in distant projects for 4 to 6 weeks at a time. Schedules for all members are presented online, and are posted in advance for members to check and identify their upcoming days “on” and days “off”

Typical Duties:

Leading partial crews or temporarily leading a work crew performing conservation work projects, including: Restoring forest health and reducing wildfire risk through tree thinning using powered equipment; constructing and maintaining trails; constructing and maintaining fences and outdoor facilities; restoring wildlife habitats; maintaining public parks, campgrounds, and recreation areas; planting trees, conducting native plant revegetation, and eradicating exotic plant species; conducting ecological testing and monitoring; surveying, mapping and monitoring using GPS technology
Assisting the Crew Leader in logistical details of transportation, tools, equipment, living arrangements, field communication, and work project completion.
Assisting the Crew Leader in transporting crew to worksites, and camping with crew during projects.
Maintaining and repairing hand/power tools and other equipment as necessary.
Hiking, backpacking, camping and cooking outdoors while at front country or backcountry campsites.
Assisting in the completion of project paperwork where necessary, including weekly reports, safety sheets, accident reports, end of week check lists, feedback forms and others as necessary.
Organizing and overseeing the efficient and orderly management of crew camp.
Overseeing all aspects of the rig-up prior to hitch and de-rig process and assure that all corps members are assigned and perform their de-rig responsibilities properly and completely.

Preferred Qualifications:

3 – 6+ months of conservation, outdoor leadership experience, or similar volunteer or employment experience, or similar team-based experience.
Ability to assist in leading and train a team.
Knowledge of environmental conservation skills, basic environmental education, and outdoor living/camping skills.
Ability to perform a wide variety of heavy manual labor for extended periods of time, and often under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
Ability to adapt to the surrounding work environment and conditions that can change frequently.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with ACE AmeriCorps members, Crew Leader, partner agency staff, and the general public.
Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
Ability to understand and follow ACE systems and processes
Must be self-motivated and able to work without direct supervision.
Must maintain timely, effective communication with crew, supervisors
Must maintain a positive, constructive work environment.
Must be flexible and possess a high work ethic
Must help enforce the use of appropriate safety procedures in all tasks.
Must submit to a criminal history background check prior to hire.
Compensation and Benefits:

ATL Members receive a $700 bi-weekly living stipend
3 meals per day while on project (approximately 16 days/month)
Free housing accommodation in Sacramento or Ridgecrest (or at our out-of-state locations when applicable) and use of a tent throughout your term for project days
Transportation to and from worksites
Upon successful completion of a full term, eligible AmeriCorps Members receive an Education Award of $3,097.50 (for 900 hours/26 weeks).
Leave No Trace (LNT), diverse restoration management, and terrain-specific trail work and hand tools as projects require. May include Chainsaw training (USFS equivalent and WFA certification) when assigned to saw projects. Members should expect to be trained in all the tools and techniques needed to successfully complete their projects as assigned.

Other Requirements:

·         US Citizens and US permanent residents (AmeriCorps membership included)

·         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/ID, or student ID)

·         The minimum age to serve with ACE as an ATL is 21. United States Public Land Corps (PLC) legislation targets applicants of 18-35 years of age, however 21 years of age is required for auto insurance regulations

·         Clean driving record free of violations such as DUI

·         Public (government) or private medical insurance coverage for the duration of participation

·         ACE provides tents to all members, but all other camping items such as all-leather boots (no exterior mesh or fabric), sleeping bags, backpacks, water containers, and raingear must be provided by the applicant

·         Due to fire hazard conditions in ACE (specifically in California), smoking is not permitted at any work site. Smoking will not be permitted when on project at undeveloped campgrounds or when serving backcountry. Smoking may be permitted at ACE housing, but will be restricted to designated areas.

·         Upon hire, all members must consent to a Criminal History Check. Their service with ACE will be considered probationary until all results are returned and have been reviewed.

·         Drug users, including users of marijuana, should not consider applying as ACE reserves the right to drug test 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. Alcohol use is strictly prohibited on ACE projects and on ACE property. Any evidence of drug use or violating ACE’s alcohol policy will result in immediate release from the program.

·         All work-related transportation is included during service.

Parking can be limited at most ACE housing locations to unsupervised street parking only at ones own risk. Due to this it is generally encouraged not to bring a personal vehicle and arrive via drop-off or public transportation. Please inquire about which regional location may have any off-street parking available this season.

DIRECT LINK TO APPLY ONLINE: https://usaconservationcrew.applicantpool.com/jobs/548206.html

INCLUDE WITH ALL APPLICATIONS:

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 Pacific West Central Outreach Coordinator, Marcel Coppolino at 928-814-3191 or marcel@usaconservation.org.

Also, consider checking out our Facebook page, YouTube Channel, and social media for more details about ACE!

www.facebook.com/usaconservation

www.usaconservation.org

 

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)  To file a complaint of discrimination: write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.