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Summary: American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service, is seeking one Invasive Plant Management Team Member to contribute to invasive plant management projects alongside Southeast Coast Invasive Plant Management Team (IPMT) Staff. This project will involve traveling to different parks in the Southeast Region.

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

Start Date: October 18, 2021 (some flexibility may be available for the right candidate)

End Date: May 27, 2022 (or 32 weeks from start date)

*A 32-week commitment is required*

Location: The Southeast Coast Invasive Plant Management Team (SEC-IPMT) is a traveling National Park Service (NPS) team that serves 13 park units in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama. The team will visit several, not all, of these parks during the term.

Congaree National Park protects the largest contiguous tract of old growth floodplain hardwood forest in the southeast. Its boundaries encompass approximately 27,000 acres, the majority of which is designated wilderness. In general, the climate is mild with very, very hot and humid summers. Columbia, the capital of South Carolina, is the closest city to the park and has a variety of entertainment opportunities. There are also many outdoor opportunities within a short drive of the city.

For more information about Congaree National Park, please visit: https://www.nps.gov/cong/index.htm

Living Allowance: ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $380/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

Housing: ACE members will be accommodated in a shared dormitory on park property at no cost for the duration of the term.

AmeriCorps: This position may be eligible for a 1200-hour AmeriCorps Education Award (~$4,366.50) upon successful completion of service hours. Additional enrollment and volunteer service is required.

Scheduling: The team will be based at Congaree National Park; however, the team will occasionally travel on a work schedule of eight consecutive ten hour working days, then return to Congaree for six scheduled days off before traveling to the next park or site for eight, ten-hour days.

Position Description:

The ACE Member will be a part of traveling team that will focus on invasive plant management at 13 parks in the Southeast Region. The team will visit several, not all, of these parks during the 32-week term.

Projects will include:

• Controlling non-native plants using both manual and chemical methods (75%)
• Performing distribution mapping of non-native plants using GPS (10%)
• Assisting with additional resource management field, GIS, and data management projects (15%).

Because of the travel intensive nature of this position, we are looking for adaptable applicants willing to work in an environment requiring a lot of flexibility. At times our travel plans change suddenly due to unforeseen weather or training opportunities. Due to ongoing COVID-19 uncertainties, the ability to travel and work independently is required, and we ask for your flexibility as we shift plans to ensure the safety of the crew.

The crew will be manually removing exotic invasive vegetation in both urban and rural NPS sites. The team will live together while in travel status, so the ability to get along with others is vital. The housing accommodations will vary from rustic park housing to hotels, but while traveling camping will not be required.

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. Members will potentially receive the following training: chainsaw and brushcutter use, herbicide safety and handling, truck and trailer driving, hand tool use, and GIS skills. . The program is interested in applicants with a passion for natural resources who can work independently, are self-motivated, have an intense work ethic, and a desire to expand their resumes.

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a hiring authority upon completion of their term of service. Eligible members must meet standard requirements of completing at least 640 hours and utilize their certificate before the age of 31.

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. Early consideration will be given as resumes are received. This position may close at any time. 

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.

Qualifications:

Required:

• 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.
• This position is funded through the Public Land Corps Act which has specific program requirements.
  • Must be 21-30 years of age to apply (members must be 21+ to apply for an ACE position that requires or anticipates operation of agency or ACE vehicles for duties).
  • Military Veterans up to 35 are encouraged to apply.
• US Citizen or Permanent Resident (AmeriCorps)
• A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
• A personal vehicle for use on off days.
• Must be physically able to hike while carrying up to 40 pounds of gear on uneven and steep terrain, on and off trail, in a variety of weather conditions.
• Must be able to work in an environment with high temperatures, poisonous plants (like poison ivy), and biting insects.
• Willing to undergo and must pass required criminal history checks.
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Must be able to live in tight quarters with a small group of people. This position might involve sharing a room.
• A strong demonstrated interest and/or education in the field of natural resources.

Please note: Marijuana and other controlled substances are not allowed at any time during the performance of duties or while on federal property, regardless of State law or qualified medical marijuana card status.