American Conservation Experience, a Non-Profit Conservation Corps based in
Santa Cruz, CA, is currently hiring energetic, ambitious young adults to
participate as AmeriCorps members in a three-month outdoor skills training
program preparing them 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, or the Bureau of Land
Management.
ACE is currently hiring corps members for an AmeriCorps summer term in 2014:
Start Date: May 11, 2014
End Date: August 16, 2014
A 450-hour, 14-week commitment is required. There will be opportunities
available to continue with ACE after the 14-week period for the best crew
members.
Position Description: AmeriCorps Professional Development Members will
spend just over 3 months 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 agencies while becoming proficient
in advanced field techniques such as trail construction, ecological
restoration, dry stone masonry, and chainsaw use.
AmeriCorps Professional Development Members will also gain leadership skills
while helping to supervise, train, and generally support ACE Conservation
Volunteers who are rotated into long-term projects. Each Member is
required to coordinate one volunteer event, recruiting a minimum of ten
members of the Santa Cruz community or a local community near a project site
to participate in a volunteer day alongside ACE members.
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.
Location: Projects will take place at various locations throughout
California. 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 vary in length from one week to two months
so Members will experience a range of opportunities during their three-month
term.
Pay: AmeriCorps Professional Development Members receive a living allowance
of $3,200 (before tax) for 450 hours of service, spread evenly over the
14-week period. Upon successful completion of the program, Members receive
an AmeriCorps education award of up to $1,400 to be used to pay tuition or
student loans. Food and housing (tents or primitive facilities) on
project days are provided. Members will pay $100/month for housing and ACE
will provide housing on off days in Santa Cruz and/or South Lake Tahoe.
Qualifications: Professional Development Members must 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
Professional Development 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 three months 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.
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.
• 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 successful applicants.
• Due to fire hazard conditions in ACE, smoking is not permitted.
Age: 18-25
Training: Trainings include 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, chainsaw training, GPS use, and CPR/First Aid. Members will be
certified in Wilderness First Aid and will develop interpersonal and
leadership skills while serving as mentors to ACE volunteers and as support
for ACE and agency staff. Members will also receive Leave No Trace Training.
Positions open until filled, but are in high demand. Apply now!
To Apply: Please email your resume, cover letter, and 3 professional
references to Carolyn Getschow ([email protected]) with "450
AmeriCorps Professional Development Internship - ECOLOG Referred" in the
subject heading of your email. AND submit your application online at
my.americorps.gov. (Search ‘ACE CA’ in the job listings and select ‘Summer
Program’.) Qualified applicants will be contacted by e-mail to arrange a
phone interview.
Check out our website and our Facebook page for more details about ACE!
www.usaconservation.org
www.facebook.com/usaconservation
