Forestry Member - Yellowstone National Park

Summary
American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Yellowstone, is seeking 1 Member to contribute to forest health surveys and monitoring projects alongside park staff.

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

Start Date: 06/03/2024
Estimated End Date: 10/19/2024
*a 20-week minimum commitment is required*

Location Details/Description: On March 1, 1872, Yellowstone became the first national park for all to enjoy the unique hydrothermal and geologic features. Within Yellowstone's 2.2 million acres, visitors have unparalleled opportunities to observe wildlife in an intact ecosystem, explore geothermal areas that contain about half the world's active geysers, and view geologic wonders like the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River. Home to more than 1,500 plant taxa, the vegetation communities of Yellowstone National Park include overlapping combinations of species typical of the Rocky Mountains as well as of the Great Plains to the east and the Intermountain region to the west. Forests made up of lodgepole pine, Engelmann spruce, subalpine fir, whitebark pine, and limber pine cover roughly 80% of the park. Whitebark pine was listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 2023.

For more information about Yellowstone NP, please visit http://www.nps.gov/yell

Position Overview: The member will become part of a coordinated vegetation management program at Yellowstone National Park. This is a developmental position in the biological sciences and will be working with NPS vegetation staff and learn directly from other practitioners. The ACE member will be provided direct technical training in safe park operations and then in forest and vegetation management practices, with a focus on whitebark pine including whitebark pine health monitoring surveys and surveys of Clark's Nutcrackers, which disperse whitebark pine seeds. Fieldwork will include whitebark pine and Clark's Nutcracker surveys and may also include tree transplantation, seed collection, restoration work, and hazard tree removal. Field work is conducted throughout both front country and backcountry areas of Yellowstone NP. The project work is aimed at promoting reforestation and the development of plant materials for targeted restoration activities throughout Yellowstone NP. Most field work will involve hiking to research plots and restoration areas, use of field equipment, and recording of data on forms and digital tablets that use GIS databases. Interns may also assist with public outreach regarding efforts to conduct reforestation and/or the collection/purchase of firewood. This position is approximately 80% field work and 20% office work.

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: A typical schedule is four, ten-hour days followed by three days off.

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 675-hour AmeriCorps Education Award while serving under the EAP 2023/24 grant year program, valued up to $2,626.27 upon successful completion of a complete service term and 675 hrs.

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: Housing (private bedroom, shared kitchen and bathroom) will be provided by the park. The intern will need to provide linens and dishes. Pets are not allowed in park housing. If, for some reason, the park isn't able to offer housing, there are shared and single furnished unit rentals available in Livingston, MT (60 miles north) and Bozeman, MT (90 miles north). ACE member will be provided with an additional living stipend and rents range from $450-600/month.

Gear Allowance: ACE members will have up to $200 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes, boots and other outside gear, and must be approved by ACE staff prior to purchase.

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 training in park operations and conducting forest inventories, seed collection and curation, seedling and tree transplantation, etc. and will have opportunities to work alongside NPS staff.

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 bachelor's degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as botany, forestry, plant ecology, biology, natural resources, environmental science, or a related field and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as horticultural, agronomic, or nursery settings.
• Knowledge and experience using GPS and GIS software.
• Ability and willingness to hike long distances carrying a backpack in inclement weather and work with others in a team setting.
• Deep interest in fieldwork and respect for nature.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires walking, hiking, carrying a pack. Manual dexterity required for use of various tools, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, and/or crouch. Ability to hike over rough terrain, and camp/backpack overnight under field conditions.
• 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 30 lbs., ability to move up to 50 lbs.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
• Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise in both natural and in office environments.
• Travel: This position does not require unique travel.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards:The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland conditions, steep terrain, biting insects, thermally-influenced areas, and potentially dangerous wildlife. 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 NPS or ACE. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the NPS. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the NPS, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to NPS 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 applications are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact Western Member Manager Michael Knapp at mknapp@usaconservation.org.

EEO: Employment with ACE is based upon ability, qualifications, attitude, and job-related factors. Every qualified employee or applicant has the same opportunity for recruitment, hire, training, transfer, promotion, compensation, demotion, termination, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, national origin, pregnancy, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information (including of a family member), veteran or military status, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, medical condition, marital or parental status, political affiliation, ethnicity, hair texture or style, arrest record, caste, hereditary status, endogamy, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, or federal law.

Current Openings for Forestry Member Yellowstone National Park Jobs at American Conservation Experience - EPIC