ACE EPIC OH: Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley NP Trail Management Internship - AmeriCorps

Summary: American Conservation Experience, a Non-Profit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park, is seeking ONE Trail Management Intern to dedicate 18 weeks in support of the National Park Service, help managing trail volunteer projects and perform trail maintenance. 

These opportunities are intended for enthusiastic, beginning professionals with a strong desire to work in the fields of volunteer management, parks and recreation management, sustainable trail management, natural resource management, who possess a deep interest in advancing their career goals through hard work and commitment to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park's professional staff and diverse resources.

Start Date: August 7, 2017

End Date:  December 9, 2017 (or 18 weeks from the start date)

* A 18-week commitment is required *

Location: Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio

Cuyahoga Valley National Park protects 33,000 acres surrounding the Cuyahoga River between Cleveland and Akron in northeast Ohio. The Park's mission is to preserve and protect the historic, scenic, natural, and recreational values of the Cuyahoga River Valley for public use and enjoyment and to maintain open space in an urbanized environment. The Park is dominated by deciduous forest but also supports meadows, wetlands, and farming. More than 53% of the Park is considered functional riparian area. Summers are moderately warm with average temperatures in the 70's and 80's but with occasional warm spells in the 90's. Winters are moderately cold with average temperatures in the 20's and 30's; heavy snowfall is not unusual. Over 125 miles of hiking trails are available for your hiking pleasure in CVNP. These trails range from nearly level to challenging, and pass through various habitats including woodlands, wetlands, and old fields. Some trails require you to cross streams with stepping stones or log bridges, while others, including the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, are nearly level and are accessible to all visitors. 

Project Website: For more information regarding the Cuyahoga Valley National Park or area visit the Park's website at www.nps.gov/cuva. For more information regarding the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park visit: http://www.conservancyforcvnp.org, and more on the ACE Internship Program (EPIC), please visit: www.usaconservation.org

Compensation: The ACE intern will work 40 hours/week and receive a living allowance of $300/week for food and incidental expenses, paid bi-weekly.

Housing is not provided for this position and will be the responsibility of the intern to find housing. 

Position Description: Intern typically works with Park staff and volunteers on a variety of projects to manage or build sustainable trails. This position is located in a unit of the National Park Service. The incumbent works primarily on front country trails. The primary purpose of the position is to assist the Trails Volunteer Coordinator, Trail Maintenance Workers and volunteers in all areas of trails maintenance in Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

Major duties include but are not limited to: 

• Works under the Trails Volunteer Coordinator or other park employees.
• Assists volunteer projects in the maintenance and construction of graded trails, trail drainage and trail bridges.
• Assists in the installation, repair and replacement of water diversion bars, turnpikes, cribbing and retainer walls. Removes windfalls, rockslides, surface outcroppings and debris from trails.
• Builds up tread surfaces in eroded areas.
• Installs stepping stones at creek crossings where bridges cannot be constructed.
• Safely and effectively uses hand power tools required for the job and has the ability to maintain these tools properly.
• Assists in transporting work supplies and construction materials to job site usually by UTV or dump truck.
• May perform other duties such as: routine painting, carpentry, janitorial, cleaning, trash pick-up, grounds keeping, digging, raking, or sweeping
• Safety -Incumbent actively participates in an effective safety program to safeguard visitors, employees, environment, facilities, and equipment, including vehicles. Incumbent helps to monitor on-the-job safety of volunteers and other groups such as Youth Conservation Corps (YCC), Student Conservation Association (SCA), and AmeriCorps (NCCC) as well as of regular crew members.

Specifics 2017 Duties May Include:

• Assist in office and field work pertaining to the VK Sustainable Trails WIG to help achieve the NPS management policy for trails and goals for sustainability at CVNP.
• Assist in the supervision and logistics of 10 CVTC work sessions- building new trails and performing sustainable maintenance practices on existing trails.
• Assist in the supervision and logistics of 10 Medina Ohio Horseman's Council work sessions- repair trail deficiencies, perform sustainable maintenance practices on existing equestrian trails.
• Assist with work to expand the trails volunteer program with innovative projects and diverse work groups that adhere to the desired sustainable conditions of trails in CVNP.
• Maintains documentation of volunteer work performed and completed. Power-Point presentation of the work accomplished, project location, volunteer hours and applications used.
• Assist in the organization of a Tow Path Volunteer Crew-add screenings to keep towpath accessible and tread safe for visitors.
• Assist in hazardous tree removal on Tow Path and CVNP trails when needed and when they pose a threat to the visitors and the resource.
• Assist with the planning, organization, and logistics of National Trails Day. 200 volunteers performing maintenance on multiple CVNP trails. Location: TBD
• Assist with the planning and supervision of Days of Service trails volunteer projects. Including: National Public Lands, Founders Day, Make a Difference Day. Locations: TBD.  Days of Service will provide a positive visitor experience that encourages the trail volunteers to protect the resources through these stewardship projects.
• Assist with the supervision of multiple Eagle Scout projects on CVNP trails that educate today's youth about sustainable trail ethics and stewardship.
• Assist with the organization and supervision of several volunteer corporate groups to paint all wood gates and bollard along the towpath and trailheads throughout CVNP.
• Assist with the management and supervision of the CVNP Adopt-A-Trail Program and projects.
• Assist with the supervision of a crew from AmeriCorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps) for 6 to 8 weeks of intensive national service with a full-time, team-based residential service program for individuals ages 18-24. NCCC members are organized into 10- to 12-member teams.
• Assist with multiple volunteer leaf removal sessions on the Tow Path and trails throughout CVNP. Spring/Fall leaf removal

Physical Effort -Heavy physical exertion is frequently required in bending, lifting, and using hand and power tools in trail work. Examples of typical strenuous activity, include frequently lifting and carrying objects weighing up to 50 pounds., carrying and rolling rocks and logs, moving rocks of several tons with rock bars, using hammers to crush or shape rock, and using shovels extensively; frequently walks up to 20 miles daily; and must not have potential emergency medical problems that could complicate work in remote areas for extended periods of time.  

Working Conditions- Incumbent must have the ability to work effectively in isolated backcountry areas in close contact with small numbers of people. Trail work is dusty and hazardous conditions may exist when moving rock, working in and around rock slide areas, working around, falling and bucking trees, and working around machinery.

Educational/Recreational Opportunities, excellent recreational and educational opportunities are available near Cuyahoga Valley National Park, including hiking and biking trails, numerous restaurants and theaters, nearby shopping, easy access to Lake Erie and multiple universities and colleges.

Training Provided: The Park will provide training to intern in:

(1) (UTV)- Utility Task Vehicle (Example-John Deere Gator)

(2) Proper use of (PPE) Personal Protective Equipment

(3) Use various tools and machines to perform trail maintenance

(4) Sustainable trail maintenance techniques

(5) Safely using chainsaws and other tools to manage downed trees

Qualifications: Applicants for the position will hold a minimum of a high school diploma. Must be willing to work Saturdays and up to 10 hour days. The intern will be resourceful, adaptable, and able to work comfortably alone or in a group.

Required:  

• Must be able to communicate clearly and concisely with National Park Service professionals
• Must have effective communication skills with diverse audiences such as volunteers and sometimes children or young adults
• Must be able to work alone and in a group
• Must have a valid driver's license, clean driving record, and ability to provide documentationPersonal vehicles are required for personal time off
• Must be comfortable and willing to learn how to use various tools and machines to perform sustainable trail maintenance
• Must have a deep interest in trail work and a respect for nature
• Must be able to able and willing to work outdoors, in varying weather conditions, participating in physical labor
• English proficiency is imperative
• Able to work on Saturdays and 10 hour days
• Ability and willingness to undergo a federal criminal background check is required.

Preferred: 

• Excellent Computer Skills
• Excellent writing, documentation, and organizational skills
• Excellent public speaking skills
• Physical Labor Skills

The ACE NPS CVNP Trail Intern must be willing and able to represent ACE and the NPS 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: https://usaconservationepic.applicantpool.com/jobs/

NOTE: 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 Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley NP Trail Management Internship AmeriCorps Jobs at American Conservation Experience - EPIC