Conservation Crew Members - Lava Beds National Monument

SummaryAmerican Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service is seeking Two Conservation Crew Members to contribute to cave natural resource project alongside NPS Staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit: www.usaconservation.org.

Start Date: 06/5/2023
Estimated End Date: 08/8/2023
*a 14-week minimum commitment is required*

Location Details/Description: Lava Beds is located in remote northeastern California and sits on the slope of the largest volcano in the Cascade Ranger District. The high desert landscape transitions into a ponderosa pine forest along the south boundary. Under the sagebrush landscape, you'll find lava flows, and over 900 lava tube caves. In addition to its outstanding geological features, the monument encompasses the main battlefields of the Modoc War of 1872-1873, the only major Indian war fought in California.

For more information regarding Lava Beds NM, please visit: https://www.nps.gov/labe/index.htm.

Position Overview:

During their summer at the Lava Beds, interns will assist with the day-to-day leadership of up to eight Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) members, and assist with a variety of interesting natural resource management projects. YCC crew leadership will include instructing and overseeing their work in natural resource conservation and infrastructure improvement activities, as well as environmental education, career mentoring, and teambuilding activities for the crew.

With and without the YCC crew, interns will assist with lava tube cave restoration and visitor impact mitigation, wildlife management activities, brush trimming around visitor day use areas and infrastructure, exotic plant identification and removal, native plant revegetation and reseeding, native plant seed collection and propagation in a native plant nursery, trail maintenance, painting, and other general maintenance tasks.

This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups.

Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00 am to 3:30 pm Pacific Standard Time. Hours may vary when performing unusual tasks, such as counting bats as they fly out of caves in the evening, etc. There is some flexibility for interns to extend weekends by taking the occasional Friday or Monday off, with appropriate coordination with your supervisor, as interns are encouraged to explore the amazing natural setting of the Lava Beds and the region's mountains, deserts, communities, and the Pacific coast.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $500/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

AmeriCorps Education Award Program: This position may be eligible for an 450-hour AmeriCorps Education Award while serving under the EAP 2022/23 grant year program, valued up to $1718.25 upon successful completion of the term.

Loan Forbearance: AmeriCorps members may also be eligible for federal loan forbearance. Additional enrollment steps are required.

Qualifying Child Care Coverage: AmeriCorps members may also be eligible for qualifying child care coverage. Additional enrollment steps are required.

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a federal hiring authority upon completion of their term of service. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general information online https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements.

Housing: ACE members will be accommodated in provided housing at no cost for the duration of the term.

Provided Training/Orientation: ACE members will receive position specific training and an orientation outlining ACE policies and procedures, clear guidance on prohibited activities, and networks for support. Specific training may include GIS training, 3D cave modeling, wildlife biology and ecology, and training in the federal job application process and resume building.

Qualifications

Required:

• Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, as required by U.S. government contracts.
• Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.
• Ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group.
• A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required three-part criminal history check.
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• ACE Members will need to complete bi-weekly timesheets, beginning of term feedback forms, end of term evaluations and for longer terms, a mid-term evaluation.
• Member may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement or as defined by AmeriCorps.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a minimum of a degree in biology, geology, environmental science, range management, or similar topics, and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as outdoor education or high school aged youth leadership.
• Knowledge of outdoor conservation work and youth crew leadership
• Wilderness First Aid or Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification, or related medical training.
• Ability and willingness to work in difficult terrain and environmental conditions (rough volcanic terrain carrying heavy field packs, or underground in dark, cold cave systems, etc.).
• Deep interest in mentoring high school aged conservation crew members and fostering a positive experience for them in the outdoors.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, hiking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talking and hearing. Manual dexterity required for use of various tools such as saws, pruning tools, and weed mowers, as well as computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Ability to hike over rough terrain, and camp overnight under field conditions. Ability to enter and work within the dark, confined, cold environment of lava tube caves.
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 20 lbs., ability to move up to 40 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates. Work is primarily outdoors, where hot, smokey, and dry conditions frequently exist. Indoor office environment conditions where indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled.
• Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise such gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools. Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
• Travel: This position requires infrequent local overnight travel, perhaps once or twice per summer.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, biting insects, and potentially dangerous wildlife. Other hazards include those found in the lava tube cave environment, including loose rocks, darkness, and cold temperatures. The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/members or resources.

Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety: If a vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties, one will be provided by the Lava Beds or ACE. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the monument as well. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the Lava Beds, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to National Park Service and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required.

To Apply: Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience, and contact information for three professional/academic references to the online application page for this position here: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/. Early consideration will be given as resumes are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact ACE EPIC National Recruitment and Outreach Specialist, Shannon Borowy at sborowy@usaconservtion.org


EEO: 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.

Current Openings for Conservation Crew Members Lava Beds National Monument Jobs at American Conservation Experience - EPIC