Habitat Restoration Member - Pinnacles National Park

Habitat Restoration Member - Pinnacles National Park

Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service (NPS) and Pinnacles National Park is seeking One Member to contribute to Habitat Restoration projects alongside NPS Staff.

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

Start Date: As early as 2/25/2024

Estimated End Date: 7/13/2024 (based on the desired start date)

* 20-week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: Pinnacles National Park in Paicines, California.

Pinnacles National Park is located in California's Central Coast region of the Gabilan Mountain Range east of the Salinas Valley. The surrounding landscape is largely chaparral with areas of oak savannah and grasslands. The position is located at the eastside park headquarters in Paicines, CA. Nearest communities for shopping, doctors, hospitals, and other amenities are Hollister (40 miles, population 34,400), King City (40 miles, population 14,000), Gilroy (65 miles, population 41,400), Salinas (70 miles, population 151,000), and Monterey (90 miles, population 30,000).

Pinnacles National Park is remote. Applicants must have a personal vehicle, as the nearest services are a one-hour drive in any direction. Additionally, there is no cell-phone service in the park.

For more information about the park, please visit https://www.nps.gov/pinn/index.htm

Position Overview: The ACE Members will directly serve within the Division of Research and Resource Management at Pinnacles National Park. The members will serve as part of a crew conducting invasive plant treatment and habitat restoration efforts (80%). Additional duties (< 20 %) may include projects on other resource-related projects such as:

• Seed collection
• Planting
• Rare plant surveys
• Vegetation monitoring
• Aquatic resources
• Wildlife monitoring
• Physical resources monitoring
• Interpretation-related projects
• GPS mapping
• May use computer software applications (e.g., Access, Excel, Word, ArcGIS etc.) to enter, process, assemble, and summarize data
• Create reports and recommendations from natural resources projects.

Environment: Approximately 90% of this position is made up of physically demanding and mentally taxing projects in the outdoors. Crewmembers must be able to hike up to ten miles per day carrying gear and equipment weighing up to 40 pounds. Field work can, at times, be tedious. Additionally, crewmembers must be willing to mix, load, and apply herbicides with the direct supervision of a licensed applicator for the purposes of vegetation control as a major part of work duties. Duties in the field includes exposure to environmental hazards including extremes of temperature and moisture, rattlesnakes, ticks and biting insects, dense brush including poison oak.

Training: The park and park staff will provide opportunities in leadership development and career exploration within the field of land management. The park will provide training on park resource information, operating procedures, and safety protocols. Core duties will train applicants on GIS, plant identification, and invasive species management including the safe use of herbicides. In addition to regular duties, interns will be given an opportunity to learn from park professionals working in areas such as condors, raptors, bats, invasive wildlife species, entomology, herpetology, cultural and historical resources, interpretation, and maintenance. Interns are often able to observe many species of animals up close and experience many areas of the park not generally visited by the public.

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: This full-time position will entail early morning starts. Applicants should expect to work an average of 40 hours per work on M-F between 7:00AM and 5:30PM, although the exact schedule will vary seasonally.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $600/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 $2626.27 upon successful completion of their 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.

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 guidelines such as age and citizenship.

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or NPS

Gear Allowance: ACE members will have up to $150 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear 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.

Qualifications

• Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, as mandated 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 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.
• Ability to serve outdoors in arduous field conditions
• Must be able to hike up to ten miles per day carrying gear and equipment weighing up to 40 pounds
• Must be willing to mix, load, and apply herbicides with the direct supervision of a licensed applicator for the purposes of vegetation control as a major part of work duties.
• Must be willing and able to observe all safety protocols.
• Possess a degree, experience, and/or demonstrated interest in biology, ecology, vegetation management, botany, environmental studies, natural resource management, park management, or a related discipline.

Preferred:

• Practical knowledge of a wide range of field restoration skills and invasive plant control techniques.
• Residents of San Benito, Monterey, and southern Santa Clara counties are highly encouraged to apply.
• Bilingual applicants are encouraged and welcome.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Work entails frequent sitting, standing, walking, hiking, carrying, using hands to handle and feel, reaching with hands and arms, talking and hearing. Manual dexterity for use of shovels, hoes, power tools, hand tools, backpack sprayers, tablet devices, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Frequently need to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Must have the ability to hike over rough terrain, and spend all day outside in field conditions.
• Vision Demands: Will include close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 25 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. Outdoor work may include long periods of wet weather, cold weather, high heat, and sun exposure.
• Noise Environment: Potential for moderate to high noise such gas-powered brush mowers and other hand and power tools.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland conditions, biting insects, 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 needed for the accomplishment of the duties, one will be provided by the NPS or ACE. Any tools needed 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 where needed. Strict adherence to NPS and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols are necessary.

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, Recruitment and Outreach Manager, Vic Yee at vyee@usaconservation.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 mandates, 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 Habitat Restoration Member Pinnacles National Park Jobs at American Conservation Experience - EPIC