Overview

American Conservation Experience (ACE), a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District (GBUAPCD), is seeking a Project Lead for one year placement to assist with the Keeler Dunes Dust Control Project by leading work involving habitat restoration, re-vegetation, wind monitoring, plant monitoring on an ecosystem scale.

This opportunity is intended for enthusiastic professionals with a background in environmental science, biology, ecology, or a closely related field, with a deep interest in jointly advancing their career goals and the restoration and mitigation of land associated with fugitive dust emissions. This is a great opportunity to develop leadership skills and experience in the field of conservation, while looking at ecosystem level processes.

The Keeler Dunes sit just along the historic shore of Owens Lake near the community of Keeler, 13 miles southeast of Lone Pine, California which is the gateway to both Mount Whitney, the tallest place in the continental US, and Death Valley, the lowest place in the US. Because of this incredibly wide elevation range, the ecological diversity and breadth of this region is unparalleled.

Start Date: ASAP with flexibility for the right Candidate up to July 2022

End Date: June 30, 2023

Location: Keeler, California

Compensation: $600 per week living allowance to cover housing, food, and incidentals. Typical workweek will be 8-10 hours/day, 4-5 days/week.

Housing is not provided. However, we will reimburse up to $1000 per month in housing expenses. I.e. rent. Utilities. Etc.

Position Description:

GBUAPCD is conducting a project in the Keeler Dunes designed to re-establish a stable vegetated dune system to assist with dust control of the area. The internship position would primarily involve work related to the Keeler Dunes Project including assistance with field oversight of field crews, general maintenance and operational work in the project, operation and data collection of sand motion and wind monitoring sites, and plant monitoring. The work schedule for the position is somewhat flexible. Other duties may include working with GBUAPCD staff on monitoring sites and activities related to the Owens Lake Dust Control Mitigation Project being implemented on the bed of Owens Lake. GBUAPCD is looking for a motivated, enthusiastic person that can perform a wide variety of work tasks and is capable of learning quickly and problem solving in the field.

Training:

Training will be provided on skills needed to perform expected work tasks. Training will also be provided on the operation and maintenance of scientific instruments at GBUAPCD-operated air, meteorological, and sand motion monitoring sites.

Project Background:

The Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District (GBUAPCD) is a California regional government agency that works to protect the people and the environment of Alpine, Mono and Inyo Counties from the harmful effects of air pollution.

GBUAPCD’s purpose is to enforce federal, state and local air quality regulations and to ensure that the federal and state air quality standards are met in the District. These standards are set to protect the health of the public from the effects of air pollution.

To meet these standards GBUAPCD enforces those federal laws delegated to it, state laws on stationary sources of pollution, and pass and enforce its own regulations as they become necessary.

For more information on the Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District, Please visit:

https://www.gbuapcd.org/

You can also visit www.usaconservation.org for more information about ACE and the EPIC program.

Qualifications:

Applicants should have a degree in environmental science, biology, ecology, or related field OR demonstrated experience to perform the required work duties. Resumes and cover letters must show detailed key project experiences.

ACE Requirements

• Ability and willingness to undergo a federal criminal background check is required
• Must have a valid driver’s license, clean driving record with ability to provide required documentation; (Driving record checks will be completed during on-boarding process. (Interns must be 21+ to drive ACE/Agency vehicles)
• 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.

GBUAPCD Requirements

• Ability to work alone or in a small group with minimal supervision
• Ability to organize and direct work crew in project activities
• Self-motivation, enthusiasm and ability to work hard
• Experience and/or ability to learn use of GPS unit
• Database management and ArcGIS software experience
• Experience in use of database, word processing and spreadsheet software
• Experience with or the ability to learn operation and maintenance of scientific electronic instruments and equipment
• Must be able and willing to work outdoors and be capable of lifting 50 lbs.
• Must be able to take initiative, work independently, and participate in collaborative efforts
• Must be able to communicate clearly and concisely with staff from GBUAPCD

Preferred Skills:

• Problem solving/troubleshooting
• Willingness to ask questions
• Confident knowledge of limitations (both personal and situational) and when to ask for assistance
• Ability to be flexible and juggle multiple tasks
• Ability to learn new tasks quickly
• Self-motivation and enthusiasm
• Creativity

Selected candidates must be willing to represent ACE and the GBUAPCD in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.

**This position is subject to change/close at any time**

To Apply:

Please submit resume, cover letter, and 3 professional references using the APPLY NOW section, located on the upper right hand corner of the position listing on our website here: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/766451.html

Note:

We will be reviewing applications as they arrive. This posting may close at any time if we find the right candidate. If you have any questions regarding this internship opportunity, please contact Special Project Manager, Josh Haussler at jhaussler@usaconservation.org or 385-226-0080

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.