NPS Academy Fire Effects Member -Grand Teton National Park

Summary

American Conservation Experience (ACE), a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Grand Teton National Park, is seeking ONE Fire Effects member as part of the 2024 National Park Service Academy cohort. During this 16-week position and additional one week March Experience, the member will learn how to study the impacts of wildfires and thinning treatments on the ecosystem while simultaneously learning about the National Park Service (NPS) as a career path. This member will also have an optional opportunity to train as a wildland firefighter and learn about NPS Wildland Fire career paths.

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

About NPS Academy: National Park Service Academy aims to support the development of a more representative NPS workforce by connecting dynamic, young adults through an experiential program designed around three themes - Connections, Diversity, Legacy. Through participation, members build their conservation ethic, intercultural awareness, and career readiness skills and competencies. NPS Academy introduces participants to the NPS Universal Competencies that are foundational to all NPS career paths within a cohort of like minded peers.

Program Goals:The main goals of NPS Academy are:

• Connect a diverse group of young adults sharing a passion and curiosity for careers within the NPS
• Deepen participants' knowledge of and personal network within the NPS by fostering an NPS mentorship relationships
• Develop a network of emerging conservation and park leaders by building ambassadorship, storytelling, and leadership skills
• Create a more inclusive and representative future for public lands

Location and Start Date:

Start Date: May 19, 2024

End Date: September 7, 2024

Start and end dates are potentially flexible for the right candidate and are dependent on the Park needs. If your availability falls mostly within these dates, please apply. More information regarding specific dates will be shared in the interview process.

*the weekly minimum commitment and participation in the orientation (March 4th-8th, 2024) are required for each position*

For more information about Grand Teton National Park please visit nps.gov/grte.

Position Description: The Fire Effects crew is responsible for collecting fuels and vegetation plots to measure the success of prescribed burns and forest thinning for fuels reduction. The crew works mostly outdoors, and navigates to plots in a variety of forest and shrub vegetation types in Grand Teton National Park (GRTE) and the Bridger-Teton National Forest in Western Wyoming. Hiking to the plot locations using GPS, maps, and compasses is required. Plant ID, tree measurement, and data entry in the field is the bulk of outdoor duties.

In the office, the Member will assist with organization of field data for quality assurance. Other duties include data input and analysis, hazard fuel removal, fuel sampling, wildfire assignments, equipment organization, and physical fitness activities. Field work may take place in remote backcountry areas, on steep terrain, and in many types of weather. Field work sometimes involves travel and camping for multiple days. The Fire Effects Crew Member must be able to hike several miles each day carrying moderate loads in the mountains. They may also be exposed to stinging insects and other hazards found in the field. The Member will be encouraged to secure and maintain a red-card firefighter certification. This training will be provided at no cost and is not a requirement of the position.

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.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: Members are expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $600/week (less any applicable taxes) to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly. NPS Academy allowances are designed to prepare members for similar allowance structure at entry level positions at their service site and some variation exists due to local cost of living differences.

Housing: NPS Academy members will be accommodated in provided park service housing at no cost for the duration of the term. Housing varies by park site.Relocation Allowance: ACE members will have access to up to $1000 to be used for eligible relocation expenses. Further details regarding distribution of these funds will be provided during the interview process.

Scheduling: The typical work week is 7am-5:30pm Monday-Thursday, with Friday-Sunday off.

AmeriCorps Education Award Program: This position may be eligible for an 450-hour AmeriCorps Education Award while serving under the EAP 2023/24 grant year program, valued up to $1,824.07 upon successful completion of a complete service term and 450 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 hiring authority upon completion of their term of service. PLC projects are subject to specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. If you do not meet the eligibility requirements for the PLC, you are still eligible to apply for the NPS Academy position with ACE. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility.

Outdoor Perks: As an ACE EPIC member, you will be eligible to receive pro deals which include deep discounts on outdoor gear providing 30 - 50% off retail prices on 100s of established outdoor gear brands.

Preferred Skills and Experience

An important reminder, all skills needed for this position will be trained on the job. A good attitude, curiosity for learning, and a willingness to work hard contributing to the team are the only prerequisites to finding success..

Essential skills and experience: Ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group, experience in subject areas such as Environmental Studies, Forestry, or Geography, Ability and willingness to work outdoors in uncomfortable weather and challenging terrain, and learn to identify trees, shrubs, and other plants, Deep interest in Teamwork, Ecology and Wildland Fire

Additional skills and experience that are helpful: Knowledge of Field Data Collection and comfortable working in remote outdoor settings.

Skills and experience that members will gain from this position:

• Develop an understanding of fire ecology in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
• Develop an understanding of tactics used to complete fuels treatments.
• Develop an understanding of wildfire suppression tactics and how they're used.

ACE members will receive position specific training and an orientation outlining ACE policies and procedures, clear guidance on prohibited activities, and networks for support.

ACE Requirements:

• 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 current and valid form of ID (will be required to provide copies of ID's upon hiring)
• 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.

Driving is not required for this position.

Physical Demands, Work Environment, and Working Conditions:Please use this information to determine personal ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, carrying, using hands to handle, feel, indicate directions. Manual dexterity required for use of computer keyboard/mouse and other routine office equipment as well as hand tools and interpretive props. Often required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Must be able to walk over 3 miles on uneven ground and/or trails with or without reasonable accommodation.

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 10 pounds, occasionally moves up to 25 pounds. Rarely lifts larger loads with another person or assistance from a tool such as a dolley.

Environmental: Approximately 15% of the work will be in a climate controlled, shared office setting or standing at a desk in the climate controlled visitor center. Currently any worked done in a shared office or with the public requires wearing a mask. This policy may be updated before or during the season. The other 85% will be primarily outdoors. Wildlife hazards include moose, black bears and grizzly bears which are found throughout Grand Teton National Park and Bridger-Teton National Forest

Summers are typically mild to cool with daytime temperatures averaging in the 70s and evening temperatures in the 30s or 40s. Temperatures become cooler and winds stronger at higher elevations in the park. Carrying layers is suggested. We typically see afternoon thunderstorms which pose a hazard at high elevation. The sun is strong and can burn quickly when shade is unavailable.

Travel: This position requires nearly daily travel within Grand Teton National Park and the neighboring Bridger Teton National Forest. Several overnight camping trips lasting up to three nights will occur throughout the summer season.

To Apply: Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest in the position and the NPS Academy program, as well as contact information for three references to the online application page for this position here: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/?keywords=academy. Early consideration will be given as applications are received. This position may close at any time but will close by January 6th at the latest. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact ACE EPIC Outreach and Recruitment Specialist, Emanuel Aragon Cruz at ecruz@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 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 NPS Academy Fire Effects Member Grand Teton National Park Jobs at American Conservation Experience - EPIC