Contact Name: Marcel Coppolino
Company/Organization/Agency: American Conservation Experience
Address: 328 Ingalls St., Suite B., Santa Cruz, CALIFORNIA 95060 United States
Email Address: marcel@usaconservation.org
Contact Phone: (928) 814-3191
Job Title: AmeriCorps membership with ACE, Central California, 900 service hours
Job Description: American Conservation Experience – Pacific-West (Central region)
Conservation Corps Membership - Spring 2019
Summary: American Conservation Experience is a Non-Profit Conservation Corps currently seeking energetic, ambitious individuals seeking meaningful career development and engagement in national service. AmeriCorps members will serve in a 25-week outdoor skills training commitment as a member of our highly effective field crews. ACE intends to provide an opportunity to serve local communities by taking direct action through conservation of our valuable, public natural resources. 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 seeks corps members for an AmeriCorps 900-HOUR term in 2019, in our Central Regional Headquarters of the ACE Pacific West branch…
Start Date: April 1st, 2019 End Date: September 21st, 2019
*A 900-hour, 25-week commitment is required. An early arrival of 3/29 or 3/30 would be expected for members to move into ACE housing, initiate required criminal history checks, and to be prepared for orientation. 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.
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, wildfire mitigation and prevention, invasive species removal, ecological restoration, and technical 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 two environmental volunteer events in addition to their minimum 900 hour service hour goal. Your Volunteer Service Project (VSP) includes completing two additional 3-hour events (total of 6 hours) within the community nearest ones’ 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, most often requiring front-country camping or potentially stints in the backcountry and/or extended stays in the field. This position requires hiking, backpacking, camping and cooking outdoors while at both front-country and wilderness spike camps.
Location: Field projects will potentially take place at various locations throughout the Pacific-West region during the 2019 spring and summer season. We are expecting your service to take place in our central region of California. “Central” refers to our northern Monterey Bay headquarters just outside of the small town of Boulder Creek, CA. ACE crews will depart provided housing and travel to projects in neighboring counties, national parks, forests, and state parks in the central valley and central coast. ACE will provide all work-related transportation to scheduled 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 Central Regional housing community (depending on crew assignment) or potentially time-off on project sites themselves. ACE provides a schedule to active members detailing your planned service days, days-off, and relative location.
Financial Benefits:
A living stipend will be allotted in the amount of $140 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 Half-Time $3,047.50 (Half Time/900 HOURS) to be used to pay future tuition or 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 service and 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 an excellent way to start or further your professional development and invest in your future. It is also 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.
ACE is a professional environment, hence users of any federally-controlled substances including marijuana, should not consider applying as ACE reserves the right to 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: The minimum age to serve with ACE is 18. United States Public Land Corps (PLC) legislation targets applicants of 18-35 years of age in this opportunity.
Training: Trainings include Leave No Trace (LNT), general restoration management, and trails training. Most certification-type training like CPR and Wilderness First Aid is most often included in 6-month commitments or longer, so members are welcome to seek longer terms for additional training exposure. 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!
DIRECT LINK TO APPLY ONLINE: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/301161.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, 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.
Job Start Date: 4/1/2019
Application Deadline: 3/15/2019
Additional Information: www.usaconservation.org
(Sent via Professional TrailBuilders Association)