Native Plant Nursery Member - Grand Canyon National Park

Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Grand Canyon National Park, is seeking One Native Plant Nursery Member to assist NPS Staff with the management of the greenhouse, nursery, and various natural resource monitoring projects.

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

Start Date: September 4, 2023

Estimated End Date: February 15, 2024

*a 24-week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Grand Canyon National Park, in Northern Arizona, encompasses 278 miles (447 km) of the Colorado River and adjacent uplands. Located on the ancestral homeland of 11 Associated Tribes, Grand Canyon is one of the most spectacular examples of erosion anywhere in the world-unmatched in the incomparable vistas it offers visitors from the rim.

The primary public areas of the park are the South and North Rims, and adjacent areas of the canyon itself. The rest of the park is extremely rugged and remote, although many places are accessible by pack trail and backcountry roads. The South Rim is more accessible than the North Rim and accounts for 90% of park visitation.

The park headquarters are at Grand Canyon Village, not far from the South Entrance to the park, near one of the most popular viewpoints.

For more information about Grand Canyon National Park, please visit https://www.nps.gov/grca/index.htm.

Schedule: Monday - Thursday, 10 hour days 6:30 am - 5:00 PM is the starting work schedule. In October, the schedule will shift to Sunday - Wednesday or Tuesday - Friday but would stay consistent as one of those options based on intern preference. The Member will occasionally work condensed work schedules with an increased number of days working, and then being off. For example, 8 days on 6 days off.

Position Overview: The ACE Member will perform a variety of duties to manage the native plant greenhouse and nursery in Grand Canyon National Park in support of habitat restoration and revegetation projects.

Greenhouse management duties may include:

• Growing native plants as well as seed and cutting propagation
• Monitoring greenhouse climate control systems, indoor and outdoor irrigation systems, and propagation chambers
• Managing greenhouse plants, shade-house plants, outdoor container plants, nursery landscaping and seed increase fields
• Coordinating seed treatment and stratification schedules, seed cleaning, germination testing and seed storage
• Implementing integrated pest management techniques as needed by applying proper pesticides or fungicides
• Scheduling and planning for nursery staffing including soliciting volunteers for projects and facilitating training/ orientations for field data collection procedures

Additional duties may include:

• Scheduling, coordinating and carrying out a wide variety of field activities in support the enhancement of native plant populations
• Field activities include salvaging native plants, seed collection and cutting collection
• Using complex inventory databases while developing and ensuring quality assurance/quality control (QAQC) procedures are followed during data management processes.
• Overseeing data entry by interns and volunteers
• Completing data analysis and summaries
• Coordinating data management activities with the data manager and vegetation program manager.
• Assisting in preparing field trip summary reports, and contributing to annual project reports
• Preparing and presenting data summaries and results at meetings and conferences with stakeholders, the public, tribes, and other resources professionals

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: ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $675/week to offset the costs of housing, food, and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

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

Travel Allowance: Members will receive $350 for project related travel. Members will also have $400 per diem towards lodging, meals, and incidentals costs incurred while doing work related travel. Further details regarding distribution of these funds will be provided during the interview process.

Gear Allowance: ACE members will have up to $300 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position will be discussed upon hire and must be approved by ACE staff prior to purchase.

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.

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

Required:

• Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, as required byU.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 two-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.
• 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 Plant Biology/ Natural Resource Management.
• Knowledge of Plant Management and Care.
• Ability and willingness to conduct training and engage with the public.
• Deep interest in plant propagation and ecological restoration.

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, 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.
• 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 40 lbs., ability to move up to 50 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
• Noise Environment: Quiet to Moderate Noise.
• Travel: This position may require domestic travel.

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 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 ACE EPIC NPS Recruitment and Outreach Specialist, Emaunel 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 Native Plant Nursery Member Grand Canyon National Park Jobs at American Conservation Experience - EPIC