Trails Member - George Washington Memorial Parkway- REPOST

SummaryAmerican Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service, is seeking two Trail Members to contribute to trail maintenance projects alongside George Washington Memorial Parkway Staff.

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

Start Date: March 6th, 2023

Estimated End Date: July 7th, 2023

*an 18-week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: George Washington Memorial Parkway - Arlington, VA

The George Washington Memorial Parkway is a 25-mile-long parkway with more than 25 park sites. It is a carefully planned scenic route to the nation's capital. From the north it curves alongside the Potomac Gorge, highlighting its steep cliffs and rich woods. From the south it is a broad avenue punctuated with monuments to America's history. Overlooks and picnic areas dot its length, providing places to rest and admire the land it passes through.

For more information about George Washington Memorial Parkway, please visit www.nps.gov/gwmp

Position Overview: The two ACE Members will be based out of the Parkway's Facility Maintenance Yard in Arlington, VA. They will work alongside Park Service employees on their day-to-day maintenance operations and on special projects. The ACE Members will also be expected to work together as a team independently of Park Service personnel. Work will be conducted within an urban park setting with consistent traffic from vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians. Safe working standards will be followed. These two ACE positions will provide the National Park Service with much needed support to effectively achieve the Agency's program obligations.

The Mount Vernon Trail (MVT) is a heavily used, paved, multi-use trail that stretches 18 miles from George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate to Theodore Roosevelt Island. MVT connects with regional trails, multipurpose playing fields, playgrounds, picnic areas, boat launches, marinas, and expansive natural areas. MVT serves as a major commuting and recreation trail. Maintenance standards are high. Encroaching vegetation often obstructs the trail path and site lines. This encroachment can lead to unsafe passing conditions and increased conflicts between trail user groups (i.e., runners, bikers, etc.). Uncontrolled vegetation trapping moisture, developing roots, and dropping debris on the trail reduces the lifecycle of the asphalt surface. Erosion and root upheavals along the trail have caused damage to the asphalt including unsafe, uneven surfaces and the loss of trail edge. Aging wooden bridges have rotted and broken components.

The two ACE Members will contribute 18 weeks to address trail maintenance needs under the direction of the George Washington Memorial Parkway Trail Maintenance Supervisor. The work will focus mainly on the south 8 miles of the trail with the goals of removing encroaching vegetation, addressing erosion, asphalt surface repairs, debris removal, and repairs to the wooden bridges of the trail. Work will include grinding down surface bumps, patching pavement, using hand and power tools to cut back encroaching vegetation, replacing timber retaining walls, and replacement of decking and railing systems on the bridges. This work will provide a safe surface and clear lanes of travel for cyclists and pedestrians to reduce accidents and near-misses. Work will address deferred maintenance and cyclical maintenance trail projects to improve public access and safety, and to reduce future trail erosion. Additionally, park resources will be improved by removing graffiti, painting benches, and reducing trash as may be needed during the position. The work accomplished by this crew will provide for a positive impact on park resources and visitor experience. The participants will learn and practice hands-on skills that can be applied in their current and future endeavors. The project provides professional and leadership developmental opportunities through formal and informal training, mentorship, and the substantial involvement of NPS staff.

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: Mon-Fri, 6:30am-3:00pm EST.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $660/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

AmeriCorps Education Award Program: This position may be eligible for an 675-hour AmeriCorps Education Award while serving under the EAP 2022/23 grant year program, valued up to $2,474.27 upon successful completion of a complete service term and 675 hours.

Loan Forbearance: AmeriCorps members may also be eligible for federal loan forbearance. 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 here.

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

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 three-part criminal history check.
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• ACE Members must verify that they are fully vaccinated for Covid-19 or have requested and been granted a medical or religious exemption to vaccination by the time they start their term.
• 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.
• ACE AmeriCorps Members 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 here.

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 trail maintenance, landscape work, natural resource management, or carpentry.
• Knowledge of local flora, hydrology, or landscape design.
• Ability and willingness to learn new hands-on skills,lift loads up to 40lbs., and to work outdoors.
• Deep interest in park operations, recreation management, land management, and resource protection.

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 ACE EPIC NPS Recruitment and Outreach Specialist, Emanuel 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.

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