ACE Grand Canyon National Park ECO Crew Leader

Summary:  American Conservation Experience - Emerging Professional Intern Corps (EPIC), a Non-Profit Conservation Corps based in Flagstaff, AZ, is seeking ONE ECO Crew Leader Intern to dedicate 12 weeks to the supervision of its Conservation Volunteer Vacation Crews at Grand Canyon National Park, AZ and Bryce Canyon National Park, UT. The ECO Project Leader will supervise and facilitate the service projects of the volunteers, completing projects as directed by our partner agency, The National Park Service. This opportunity is intended for enthusiastic young professionals with a deep interest in advancing advancing their career goals through hard work and commitment to the environmental stewardship of our National Parks. 

Start Date: May 27, 2013 (Training), June 3, 2013 (As Crew Leader)

End Date:   August 2013

* A 12-week commitment is required *

Location: Grand Canyon National Park in northern Arizona, and Bryce Canyon National Park in southern Utah

Project Partner Website:  For more information regarding ACE's Volunteer Vacation program, please visit http://www.usaconservation.org/vacations/vacations.html; and Grand Canyon NP http://www.nps.gov/grca/index.htm ; and Bryce Canyon NP: http://www.nps.gov/brca/index.htm

Compensation:  The ACE Crew Leader will receive $1200/ month. Housing will be provided in the form of tent accommodations at Grand Canyon NP or Bryce Canyon NP or shared ACE housing in Flagstaff, AZ or Hurricane, UT. Food will be provided during the 11-day service projects. 

Project Background and Objectives: The goal of the Vegetation Program- Division of Science and Resource Management- Natural Resources Program is to restore and repair land in the national park impacted by foot raffic and development. The project began in 1993 with a three person crew, and grew to a maximum of 30 people. There are now 12 year round employees and about 30 seasonal employees, interns and long-term volunteers, who contribute over 30,000 hours per year to the program. Participitants range in age from 5- 85, and are the lifeblood of the program, saving the park $719,000 a year.

Position Description:ACE's Volunteer Vacation program aims to attract a diverse group of volunteers to America's National Parks to help the NPS with their conservation and restoration efforts. Each ACE Volunteer Vacation is 11 days in length, running from a Monday to the following Friday. From the moment the volunteers arrive on Catalina at the beginning of their service project until the moment they leave, the ECO Crew Leader will be responsible for safely leading and supervising the volunteers during conservation field projects and ensuring that they have a comfortable, enjoyable and beneficial stay with ACE and the National Park.Each day of the Volunteer Vacation (except for weekends, which are free time) will involve 8 hours of volunteer service (07:30-15:30). The exact nature of the specific conservation projects for the Volunteer Vacations will be as determined by either NPS or ACE. Projects with the NPS generally involve working with the revegetation teams, managing native plants and removal of invasive species. 

Specific duties and responsibilities may include:  

• Effective leadership and supervision of volunteers
• Conducting an orientation (purpose, rules and a safety briefing) to incoming volunteers
• Maintaining a clean, safe, and organized ACE campsite
• Liaising with our partner agencies at the NPS
• Coordinate project details with NPS staff and the volunteers
• Restoration and revegetation work
• Direct and manage volunteers during the service project

ACE volunteers will help support the objectives of the revegetation program by participating in the ACE Volunteer Vacation. The Conservation Volunteer Vacation Crew Leader will facilitate this through effective leadership, support and management of volunteers.

Training Provided:  The ACE Crew Leader will receive training at Grand Canyon National Park during the week commencing May 27^th 2013 and also in-house training at ACE to include report writing, safety training, and other skills related to the position.  ACE and the NPS are committed to providing the most educational, rewarding, and challenging experience possible to best prepare interns for future careers in the stewardship of America's public and private lands.

Qualifications:  Applicants must have a degree in Biological Sciences, Geography, Wilderness Management and/or Policy, GIS, Natural Resource Management, Recreation Resource Management, Botany, Engineering, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.  A combination of relevant education and appropriate experience is also acceptable. Resumes must contain enough information to show that the applicant meets the experience as defined in the internship announcement.

Required:

• U.S. Citizen or Green Card Holder
• Effective communication skills with diverse audiences
• Must have the ability to lead and motivate a diverse group of international participants
• Approachable and friendly and receptive to volunteer's needs
• Must have proficiency in hand tool use (e.g. shovel, Pulaski, handsaw)
• Must have a valid driver's license, a clean driving record, and the ability to provide documentation
• Must be able and willing to live and work outdoors, in varying weather conditions, and be able to lift 50 lbs
• Must be able to take initiative, work independently, and participate effectively in collaborative efforts
• Proficient in English
• Excellent organizational skills

 Preferred:

• Knowledge, skills, and abilities in trail inventory and assessment
• Bilingual applicants are encouraged and welcome
• Knowledge and skills in the principles of trail building and maintenance
• Experience working in an environmental or cultural education setting
• A demonstrated interest and/or education in the field of natural and cultural resources
• Writing, research, and public speaking skills

The interns must be willing to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.  Drug users should not consider applying, as ACE reserves the right to require drug testing.

To Apply: Please submit a thoughtful resume and cover letter along with 3 professional references using the APPLY NOW section located on the upper right hand corner of the position listing on our website here: usaconservation.org

NOTE: We will begin the interview process as soon as we recieve applications. This position may close at any time. Early consideration will be given as applications are received.  If you have any questions regarding this position, please feel free to contact the ACE EPIC Outreach and Recruitment Specialist, Peter Woodruff at (801) 989-7069 or pwoodruff@usaconservation.org.

Current Openings for ACE Grand Canyon National Park ECO Crew Leader Jobs at American Conservation Experience - EPIC