NPS Academy Vegetation Resources Member - Multiple Parks

Summary

American Conservation Experience (ACE), a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Acadia National Park, Glacier National Park, and Rocky Mountain National Park, is seeking THREE members as part of the 2024 National Park Service Academy cohort. During these 12-16 week positions and additional one week March Experience, the members will learn various field techniques for managing natural resources on public lands with a specific emphasis on vegetation and wildlife habitat while simultaneously learning about the National Park Service (NPS) as a career path.

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

Locations and Start Dates:This posting is for TWO distinct locations.Please indicate the location(s) you would like to be considered for in your cover letter.

Acadia National Park: Bar Harbor, ME (1 Member), start date: May - Late August/Early September 2024 - 16 wks

Rocky Mountain National Park: Estes Park, CO (2 Members), May - Late August/Early September 2024 - 12 wks

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 on Acadia and Rock Mountain National Park, please visit their respective sites: www.nps.gov/acad | www.nps.gov/romo

Position Description: Acadia National Park: Bar Harbor, ME (1 Member), 16 wksThis position will be primarily invasive plant control with native plant restoration as a secondary commitment. This member will participate in native plant salvage and revegetation efforts. Invasive plant management activities include manual and chemical removal as well as herbicide applications.

Rocky Mountain National Park: Estes Park, CO (2 Members), 12 wksThis position will be a mix of both manual and herbicide based invasive plant control, vegetation monitoring, outplanting and seeding of native plant species, mulching and erosion control, and nursery and greenhouse operations specific within the vegetation program. In addition there are usually opportunities to work on other park based projects depending on interest of the member and availability of projects.

In order to give Academy members a well-rounded experience to develop a variety of job skills, they may also have opportunities to work on other projects, and with other work groups and park staff from natural and cultural resources, facility management, interpretation, and visitor and resource protection. Members will work with both park staff and volunteers to accomplish tasks, and may be given opportunities to present their work to groups in informal settings.

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.

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.

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.

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 plants, and a willingness to positively contribute to the team are the only skill prerequisites to finding success.

Essential skills and experience: Ability to work well with others, general interest in natural resource management, plants, and botany

Additional skills and experience that are helpful: Willingness to learn about plant identification, restoration ecology, plant propagation and/or natural resource management

Skills and experience that members will gain from this position: plant identification, native plant propagation, native plant restoration, invasive plant species identification and management specific to various regions in the US (Rocky Mountain, northeast, etc). 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: -The work is partially sedentary with prolonged standing, walking, and bending often required.-Requires the ability to walk up to five miles over uneven terrain in extreme weather conditions and stand on their feet for lengthy periods of time, and sometimes in wetlands (Acadia-waders provided)

Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: -Frequently moves up to 25 pounds, occasionally moves up to 50 pounds.-Heavy items (e.g., equipment and packs up to 50 pounds) must be moved and carried on a routine basis (for Rocky Mountain and Glacier only)

Vision Requirements: -Must have adequate vision to walk on uneven, rocky, or terrain covered with vegetation. Must be able to operate a motor vehicle. -Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.

Environmental:-The work environment varies constantly. Most work is outdoors, and is performed in temperatures from 90 degrees F to below freezing. Severe mountain weather conditions can result in extreme heat, rain, snow, and high winds. At Acadia, summer temperatures range from 40-85 degrees.-Work takes place both in indoor and outdoor settings. Work can include moderate risks or discomforts that require safety precautions (e.g., exposure to extreme temperatures, climates, rough terrain, wild animals, pests, and insects.)

Travel: -Overnight backcountry travel is optional but available. Backcountry overnight trips could vary from one night up to four nights if interested and could include tent camping or stays in a backcountry patrol cabin.-Occasional overnight travel to other areas of the park may occur.

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 ACE EPIC NPS Academy Member Manager, Deja Charles at dcharles@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 Vegetation Resources Member Multiple Parks Jobs at American Conservation Experience - EPIC