Natural and Cultural Resource Management Member - Cumberland Gap National Historical Park *REPOST*

Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service, is seeking ONE Natural and Cultural Resource Management Member to assist with a variety of ongoing resource management projects alongside Cumberland Gap National Historical Park staff.

For more information on ACE, please visit usconservation website

Start Date: September 16, 2024

End Date: September 13, 2025 (or 52 weeks after start date)

*a 52-week minimum commitment is required*

Location Details/Description: Cumberland Gap National Historical Park (CUGA) - Middlesboro, KY

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park (CUGA) is located at the corners of Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia. The Park contains 24,000 acres of which 14,000 acres are proposed wilderness. The natural beauty of Appalachian mountain country, lush with vegetation, supports a diverse flora and fauna. Cumberland Gap has 70 miles of hiking trails, mountains, streams, and caves. Middlesboro, Kentucky is the nearest town and is large enough to accommodate three grocery stores, fast food, several restaurants, and a movie theater. Knoxville, Tennessee is approximately 1.5 hours away and has many amenities of a large city.

For more information regarding Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, or the National Park Service, please visit the agency website.

Position Overview: Cumberland Gap NHP (CUGA), as part of the National Park Service, has a mission to "preserve unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education and inspiration of this and future generations." The member serving in this position will work with the CUGA resource management team to complete a diversity of tasks that contribute to preserving the park's natural and cultural resources. The member will be trained in a variety of tasks including, but not limited to, invasive species control, water quality monitoring, acoustic and trail camera monitoring, and much more. The member will spend a majority of their time working in the field performing physically demanding work in all types of weather situations. This will be an excellent opportunity for members to work with and learn from natural resource professional staff and make a significant contribution to protecting park resources.

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: The member will be expected to work 40 hours per week, primarily Mon - Fri, 7:30 am to 4:00 pm

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $650/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

AmeriCorps: This position may be eligible for a 1700-hour AmeriCorps Education Award while serving under the EAP 2023/24 grant year program, valued up to $ $6,895 upon successful completion of a complete service term and 1700 hours.

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 on our usaconservation website

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

NOTE: it can be rather difficult to secure rental accommodations in the Middlesboro area.

Boot Allowance: ACE members will have up to $200 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes field boots 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.

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 criminal history checks
• 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 usaconservation website

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a Bachelor's degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as biology, natural resource management or similar fields
• Knowledge of the interrelationships of various natural and cultural resources; for example plants, wildlife, water, etc.
• Ability and willingness to spend a majority of your time working outdoors.
• Deep interest in]the National Park Service.

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 hand tools, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Ability to hike over rough terrain (on and off trail), and camp overnight under field conditions. See position overview for more details.
• 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 40 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates. See position overview for more details
• Noise Environment: Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
• Travel: This position will require hiking and camping in the backcountry.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland conditions, biting/stinging 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 ACE's online application page for this position on Select one: [the usaconservation website] [our website at usaconservation dot org]. 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 Eastern Member Manager, Emily Oostveen.

ACE values an inclusive workforce - if you meet at least 70 percent of the qualifications, we want to hear from you!ACE participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information when you are hired to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

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.

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