You are viewing a preview of this job. Log in or register to view more details about this job.

ACE AmeriCorps- Assistant Team Leader, ACE Crew Member - Daniel Boone National Forest Trail Crew

American Conservation Experience
Email
Summary:
American Conservation Experience (ACE) is seeking and AmeriCorps Team Leader (ATL) Corps Members committed to working 14 weeks (450 hours) on outdoor conservation projects.
American Conservation Experience is a national non-profit conservation corps, with it's Eastern division based out of Asheville, NC. ACE is dedicated to providing career development and outdoor experiential learning opportunities to young adults 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.
Start Date: March 23rd, 2021
Estimated End Date: June 26th, 2021
Location: Asheville, NC based but work site is in Daniel Boone National Forest, Kentucky
Position Description: This opportunity is intended for environmental stewards who are eager to give back to our public lands. Corps Members serve in professionally supervised teams as they explore future outdoor careers, learn practical field skills, and develop confidence as emerging leaders in the field of conservation. Members are afforded opportunities to learn and train under the guidance of professional mentors within ACE, while gaining invaluable career perspectives working alongside staff from the National Park Service, US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and many other stewards of our nation's public lands.
Corps Members get experience working with or in conjunction with the following tools and equipment, depending on their level of training:
  • Trail Maintenance: Pick mattocks, Pulaskis, shovels, single/double jacks, McLeods, single bit axes, rock bars, chisels, crosscut saws, and grip hoists
As a member of ACE's Daniel Boone trail crew, the AmeriCorps Team Leader (ATL) will assist the Crew Leader in the logistics and administration of teams of Conservation Corps members performing trail work, federal campsite repairs, and other environmental-related work in Daniel Boone National Forest. The ATL will provide leadership to Corps members, training in technical skills and lead partial teams of Corps members. The ATL may also train Corps members in conservation work skills and outdoor living skills. Work projects are almost exclusively outdoors, involve 40 hours per week 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: While ACE's Eastern division is based out of Asheville, NC and does work projects throughout the East Coast, this specific ATL position will solely work in Daniel Boone National Forest, KY. The crew will return to member housing in Asheville, NC once every 3-6 weeks.
Schedule: Project schedules vary greatly, but Corps Members typically work 4 consecutive 10-hour days with 3 days off, while camping in remote wilderness areas. Some weeks may be 5 8-hour days Monday through Friday, with a 2 day weekend. Most weekends Corps members will spend off-days nearer to their project location, and return to Asheville once every 3-6 weeks.
Work Description:
This position will involve assisting in leading a crew that will be working within the four different districts of the Daniel Boone National Forest; Cumberland, London, Stearns, and Redbird district. Projects will vary throughout these four ranger districts but most work will consist of cyclic maintenance including improving drainage structures, installing new drainage structures, clearing trail corridors and brushing vegetation, as well as bucking and clearing blow downs as directed by Forest Service personnel. The trails that the crew will work on will be a variety of user group types including off-highway vehicle, equestrian, mountain bike, and hiking.
There will also be a component of campground maintenance and repair within the Cumberland District at the Zilpo campground. This work will include repairing camping pads, installing proper drainage systems as well as picnic tables and other campground structures.
Each district of Daniel Boone NF will provide unique opportunities for personal and professional development through leading and working with ACE crews in order to find creative solutions in the field to effectively fix and maintain trail systems. Cumberland, London, Stearns, and Redbird each have their own challenges either in topography, climate, and user group use. There will also be opportunities for professional development through interactions with Forest Service personnel within each district including working directly with trails personnel on job sites within some of the districts
Field work and other duties might include but are not limited to:
  • New trail construction and rerouting trails to improve existing trail systems
  • Dry and wet stone masonry
  • Plant identification
Typical Duties:
  • Model exemplary performance as outlined in ACE's core values and AmeriCorps Member Service Agreement (MSA)
  • Complete project photo documentation and paperwork with CL direction
  • Leading partial crews or temporarily leading a work crew performing conservation work projects, including, but not limited to: constructing and maintaining trails; constructing and maintaining fences and outdoor facilities; maintaining public parks, campgrounds, and recreation areas.
  • 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.
  • Assisting Crew Leader in overseeing aspects of the de-rig process and assuring that all corps members are assigned and perform their de-rig responsibilities properly and completely.
  • Assist Crew Leader in ensuring job site safety, assistance with safety circle, and providing guidance and instruction to corps members, under Crew Leader's guidance
Qualifications:
  • Has 3 - 6 months of Conservation experience.
  • Able and willing to work in a group
  • 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; capable of hiking moderate distances in somewhat rough terrain
  • Ability to adapt to the surrounding work environment and conditions that can change frequently.
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Conservation Corps 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.
  • U.S. Citizen or permanent resident
  • Must be between the ages of 18 and 30, or up to the age of 35 for veterans
  • ACE maintains a zero-tolerance policy for illegal drugs and underage drinking. Alcohol use is prohibited on ACE projects, on ACE property, and at ACE rentals including: Air BnBs and hotels. Any evidence of drug use or violating ACE's alcohol policy will result in immediate release from the program. ACE reserves the right to require drug testing.
  • Must submit to a criminal history background check prior to hire.
Compensation and Benefits:
  • ATL Members receive a living allowance of $320/week, paid bi-weekly.
  • Upon successful completion of a full term, eligible AmeriCorps Members receive an Education Award of $1,638.89 (for 450 hours/14 weeks).
  • ACE provides Corps Members with food on project days; Corps Members are responsible for providing their own food on off-days.
  • Housing: ACE provides Corps Members housing both on project-days and on off-days during their term of service. When in Asheville, Corps Members spend off-days in our hostel-style housing. For weekdays and weekends when working remotely in Kentucky, Corps Members will be provided housing in those remote locations. The member will provide his or her own blankets/pillow/sleeping bag/towels.
  • Gear: ACE provides each member their own tent. The member will provide his or her own sleeping bag, sleeping pad, rain gear, hiking boots. Upon acceptance to the program, Corps Members will receive a more extensive packing list. Weather during this time of year can be highly variable so plan on bringing layers of warm clothing and adequate rain gear.
  • Travel: ACE provides transportation to and from worksites; personal vehicles are not necessary throughout the member's term of service. ACE does not provide relocation assistance.
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.
To Apply: Please submit a resume and cover letter along with 3 professional references using the APPLY NOW section located in the upper right hand corner of the position listing on our website linked to the green Apply Externally button. If you have questions about the position you may reach out the Benton Wright, ACE Eastern Outreach Coordinator, bwright@usaconservation.org.