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, Sierra region, 900 service hours
Job Description: American Conservation Experience – Sierra Region
Conservation Corps Membership – Spring/Summer 2019
Summary: American Conservation Experience is a Non-Profit Conservation Corps currently seeking energetic, ambitious young adults to engage in national service as AmeriCorps members in a 26-week outdoor skills training program. ACE intends to provide a meaningful 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 is currently seeking corps members for an AmeriCorps 900 HOUR (HT) term in 2019, in our ACE Sierra Region branch, based in South Lake Tahoe, CA
Start Date: April 28th, 2019
End Date: October 26th, 2019
*A 900-hour, 26-week commitment is required. An early arrival of 4/27 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 term is complete for the best performing crew members. Extensions to service are also dependent on available projects in the field and seasonal constraints, you are welcome to inquire.
Position Description: Offered as an advanced, long-term opportunity to earn significant practical and environmental conservation experience, AmeriCorps Members at ACE’s Sierra Region (South Lake Tahoe, CA Headquarters) will spend approximately six months working as part of a team to carry out a variety of environmental conservation minded projects.
Field work and other duties might include but are not limited to:
• Habitat restoration
• Trail construction and maintenance
• Dry and wet stone masonry
• Reforestation
• Forest thinning
• Plant identification
• Fencing
• Invasive species removal
• Swamping
AmeriCorps Members will also gain leadership skills while helping to supervise, train, and generally support current and incoming ACE volunteers and Corps members, who are rotated into new and ongoing long-term projects. All 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. Members will also be expected to serve as ambassadors of ACE and citizens of their local community by attending two (2) three+ hour volunteer events with a focus on environmental stewardship.
Location: Field projects will take place at various locations throughout the Sierra Nevada and Northern California during the spring, summer and early fall of 2019. 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. Project assignments can vary in length from one month to three months or more, so members may experience several opportunities during their six-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 schedules are comprised of multiple short-term ‘hitches’ on average 4-10 days long, and often 10 hour work days. Members return to the same project until completion, and/or to other projects in motion. Flexibility is necessary for locations during days-off, as you could spend days-off in South Lake Tahoe, Mammoth Lakes or other locations in the region. Temporary housing locations are utilized closer to field projects, to provide more efficiency and quality time for our members.
Financial Benefits:
AmeriCorps Members at ACE California receive a living allowance of $140/week (before tax) for 900 hours of service, or $3640 spread evenly over the 26-week period. Pay periods end every two weeks, meaning members receive $280 (before tax) in a 2-week period.
Upon successful completion of the program, members receive an AmeriCorps/Segal Education Award of up to $3047.50 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 field project days only, and housing (volunteer dorm-style housing, tents, primitive 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. 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 leather boots, sleeping bags, backpacks, and waterproof raingear must be provided by the applicant.
• Due to fire hazard conditions in ACE, smoking is not permitted in many of the sensitive worksites. Consuming alcohol and smoking is not allowed on ACE property.
• 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 Chainsaw (USFS-cert), Wilderness First Aid, CPR, Leave No Trace (LNT), general restoration management, and trails training. Training is ongoing as the season progresses and generally project specific. One should expect to be trained in all the tools and techniques needed to successfully complete their scheduled projects. Certification-type training like CPR and Wilderness First Aid is planned for the 900-hour term, versus shorter lengths of commitments. 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. Members who excel in the summer will receive preference for our fall prescribed fire crew, which includes going through the required USFS fire trainings to receive your “red card.”
Positions open until filled, but are in high demand. Apply now!
To Apply: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/299974.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 Pacific-West 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.
Job Start Date: 4/28/2019
Application Deadline: 10/26/2019
Additional Information: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/299974.html
https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/
www.facebook.com/usaconservation
www.usaconservation.org
(Sent via Professional TrailBuilders Association)