Restoration Team Members, Cosumnes River Preserve

Summary

The American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the Mother Lode Field Office, is seeking (4) four Cosumnes River Preserve Restoration Team Members to contribute to ecological restoration projects alongside the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) staff.

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

Start Date: January 2024

Estimated End Date: 42 weeks after start date*

a 42-week minimum commitment is required*

Location Details/Description: Cosumnes River Preserve, Galt, California

The Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP) lies within the BLM Mother Lode Field Office range of interest. The BLM Mother Lode Field Office manages over 230,000 acres of public land in Central California and these lands are scattered all over the Sierra Nevada and Gold Country regions. Cosumnes River Preserve, located in Sacramento County, is a conservation landscape of approximately 53,000 acres cooperatively managed by 11 partner organizations/agencies. The Cosumnes River Preserve is located within 30 minutes of Sacramento and two hours from the San Francisco Bay Area. A personal vehicle is NOT required for the position but is strongly encouraged as it makes the applicant's days off much more enjoyable.

For more information about the Mother Lode Field Office, please visit this link, and for more information about the Cosumnes River Preserve please visit this link.

Position Overview: Cosumnes River Preserve within the BLM Mother Lode Field Office, CA has an opportunity to introduce youth to careers in the BLM supporting ecology-based programs for wildlife and botanical resources. The Field Office has Resource Specialists on staff and would like to provide work experience to youth for their career and educational benefit. This opportunity will be focused on developing field skills and habitat management experience. This project is open to any and all individuals who have a passion for learning about and practicing ecology, botany, restoration, and/or biology. It will also provide opportunities to enhance basic career skills such as organization, GIS, detail, and communication, as well as field skills including finding and documenting biological resources, use of GPS equipment and maps, field note methods, animal and plant identification techniques, managing habitat, and controlling exotic plants. Previous experience with any or all of these skills would significantly enhance the student experience.

Cosumnes River Preserve was selected as one of the IRA Restoration Landscapes within BLM. The focus of the Cosumnes Watershed Restoration Landscape project area is to implement the Resource Management Plan for CRP, with an emphasis on improving wetlands, riparian forests, oak woodlands, and vernal pools. Control of invasive exotic plants, increasing native plants, and improving overall riparian forest health are key. In addition, some facility maintenance (trails/levees maintenance and fence repairs) is needed to protect sensitive habitats from being impacted.

Project expected outcomes include up to 200 acres of riparian forest restoration, 200 acres of integrated weed treatments, and 500 acres of habitat inventory and monitoring data.

Most of the work performed by the members will consist of:

• Non-invasive plant removal
• Tree thinning (up to 6" in diameter)
• Planting native plants
• Collecting seeds from native plants
• Livestock fence construction/maintenance
• Removal of trash from preserved landscape
• Some project assistance for CRP partners which include The Nature Conservancy, CA Department of Fish and Wildlife, Sacramento County, CA Department of Water Resources

This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promote exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups.

Schedule: Monday - Friday, generally 8 AM to 5 PM. During the summer, the work schedule would shift to starting earlier in the day to avoid working during the hottest part of the day.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $800/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly. The living allowance is a fixed rate determined by the BLM and ACE and is not flexible.

Housing: ACE members will be accommodated in provided furnished, share-room housing on CRP grounds at no cost for the duration of the term.

Provided Training/Orientation: ACE members will receive position-specific training and an orientation outlining ACE policies, procedures, and networks for support. Specific training by the BLM may include the following: BLM Security Awareness Training, FISSA, BLM 4X4 Safe Driving Program, POSH, and No FEAR. BLM will provide field training on 4WD, project-specific training, and field equipment training.

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.

Qualifications

Required:

• Members must be U.S. citizens 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 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, a mid-term evaluation, and an end-of-term evaluation.
• Ability and willingness to constantly work outdoors in fieldwork that is often under somewhat rigorous physical conditions.
• Interest in developing field skills including finding and documenting biological resources, field note methods, and animal and plant identification techniques.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements.

Preferred:

• Knowledge of GIS, GPS equipment, and maps.
• Able and willing to communicate effectively and work independently.
• Previous S212 chainsaw completed training ideal but can be provided if needed.

Physical Demands, Work Environment, and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, stooping, kneeling, walking, hiking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talking, and hearing. Manual dexterity is required for the use of various tools. Ability to hike over rough terrain.
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral, and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
• Environmental: Extensive poison oak, ticks, bees/wasps, high temperatures during summer months and freezing conditions in the winter months, and steep/rugged terrain.
• Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise such as gas-powered chainsaws 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 themself, 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 ACE. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the BLM. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the BLM, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to BLM 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 resumes are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact BLM/FS Recruitment and Member Coordinator Allison Finch at afinch@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 nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.

Current Openings for Restoration Team Members, Cosumnes River Preserve Jobs at American Conservation Experience - EPIC