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ACE Conservation Corps - Pacific West Region, 450 AmeriCorps Service Hours

American Conservation Experience – Pacific West Region

Spring/Summer 2018

 

Summary:  American Conservation Experience is a Non-Profit Conservation Corps currently seeking energetic, ambitious young adults to participate as AmeriCorps members in a 14-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 a spring/summer AmeriCorps Quarter Time(QT450 hour) term in 2018, in our Central Regional Headquarters of ACE – Pacific West

 

Start Date:         April 23rd, 2018*

 End Date:           July 28th, 2018


*A 450-hour, 14-week commitment is required. An early arrival of 4/21 or 4/22 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 14-week period for the best performing crew members. Extensions to service are also dependent on available projects in the field and seasonal constraints.

Position Description:  AmeriCorps Members in the ACE Conservation Corps program will spend just over 3 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 (Volunteer Service Project – VSP), completing an additional 3 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 California during the spring and summer of 2018. We anticipate that all corps members will arrive, depart, and be based in our Central Regional (Santa Cruz area) 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 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 Central 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. 

Upon successful completion of the program, members receive a Quarter-Time Segal Education Award of $1,566.14 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 a “covered position” that may entail episodic (temporary) access to vulnerable populations such as youth and the elderly.  Selection for the position is contingent upon a review of all Criminal History results.

 

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 may include a variety of technical project and outdoor skills such as retaining wall construction, rock step construction, rock drilling, splitting and shaping, setting up rigging systems, tread and switchback construction, installing water bars, check dams and other erosion control devices, restoration management, or GPS use. Certification-style training such as CPR/First Aid, Wilderness First Aid, and Leave No Trace Training may or may not be included, dependent on project scheduling, available classes, and training staff. Because of the short-term nature of a 450-hour term, certification training is often not available because of the focus on weekly field-based training that is constantly occurring on projects. Practical work and environmental training abound, we encourage the growth of our short-term 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!

 

DIRECT LINK TO APPLY ONLINE:

https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/214921.html

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.

Also, consider checking out our Facebook page 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.