AmeriCorps service with ACE California

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American Conservation Experience, a Non-Profit Conservation Corps based in Santa Cruz, CA and South Lake Tahoe, CA is currently hiring energetic, ambitious young adults to participate as AmeriCorps members in a 26-week outdoor skills training program preparing them for careers in resource management with ACE, with other conservation corps, or with public agencies such as the National Park Service, US Forest Service, US Fish and Wildlife, or the Bureau of Land Management.

ACE is currently hiring corps members for a Spring 900-hour AmeriCorps term in 2016:

Start Date: April 10, 2016

End Date: October 8, 2016

A 900-hour, 26-week commitment is required. An early arrival as soon as 4/7 may be required for out-of-state residents who need to complete CA state background checks. All checks must clear before earning AmeriCorps hours.

Position Description: AmeriCorps Professional Development Members will spend just over 6 months training on complex trail construction, forestry, and environmental restoration projects under the guidance of ACE’s most highly skilled staff members. The goal of the position is to accomplish meaningful project work for a variety of agencies while becoming proficient in advanced field techniques such as trail construction, ecological restoration, dry stone masonry, and chainsaw use.

AmeriCorps Professional Development Members will also gain leadership skills while helping to supervise, train, and generally support ACE Conservation Volunteers who are rotated into long-term projects. Leadership and responsibility is also encouraged and expected on off-days and at ACE housing. Each member is required to coordinate one volunteer event (Volunteer Service Project - VSP), recruiting a minimum of ten members of the Santa Cruz/SLT community or a local community near a project site to participate in a volunteer day alongside ACE members or with local residents for the common good.

All ACE field work is physically demanding, often requiring stints in the backcountry and/or extended stays in the field. This position requires hiking, backpacking, camping and cooking outdoors while at front country and wilderness spike camps.

Location: Projects will take place at various locations throughout California. All participants must be flexible and willing to be assigned to a variety of locations and for multiple agencies, wherever community need is the highest. Project assignments vary in length from one week to two months so members will experience a range of opportunities during their six-month term. Long-term project assignments are necessary to extend advanced training to crew members, as well as invest your skills and commitment to see a project through to completion.

Pay: AmeriCorps Professional Development Members receive a living allowance of $6,400 (before tax) for 900 hours of service, spread evenly over the 26-week period. Upon successful completion of the program, members receive an AmeriCorps (Segal) education award of up to $2,850 to be used to pay tuition or student loans. Food and housing (tents or primitive facilities) on project days are provided. Members pay $100/month for ACE off-day housing in Santa Cruz and/or South Lake Tahoe as an automatic deduction from the living allowance.

Qualifications: Professional Development Members must have an established interest in conservation issues and should take joy in tackling challenging situations with a positive mindset. Applicants must be willing to undertake arduous physical work in all types of weather and terrain, and to participate as a team member dedicated to ACE’s mission. ACE’s Professional Development Program is meant as a stepping stone to environmental careers and as a gateway to potential advancement within ACE, not only as an interesting and rewarding way to spend six months working in beautiful locations. Drug users, including users of marijuana, should not consider applying as ACE reserves the right to require drug testing and absolutely abhors the presence of drug users in our program.

Other Requirements:

• Program is available to US Citizens and Green Card holders only.
• Eligibility for participation in the AmeriCorps program is contingent upon clearance of state and federal criminal history and sex offender checks.
• Members must have personal medical insurance for the duration of their participation with ACE.
• ACE will provide tents to all Members (upon request) but all other camping items such as sturdy boots, sleeping bags, backpacks, and raingear must be provided by successful applicants.
• Due to fire hazard conditions in ACE, smoking is not permitted in many of the locations we live and work.

Age: 18-25

Training: Potential trainings include technical project and outdoor skills such as retaining wall construction, rock step construction, rock drilling, splitting and shaping, setting up rigging systems, tread and switchback construction, installing water bars, check dams and other erosion control devices, restoration management, chainsaw training, and CPR/First Aid. Our goal is to certify all 900-hour members in Wilderness First Aid and will develop interpersonal and leadership skills while serving as mentors to ACE volunteers and as support for ACE and agency staff. Members will also receive Leave No Trace Training.

Positions open until filled, but are in high demand. Apply now!
To Apply:
Please email your resume, cover letter, and 3 professional references to Marcel Coppolino (marcel@usaconservation.org) with "AmeriCorps Professional Development Crew Member" in the subject heading of your email.

Qualified applicants will be contacted by e-mail to arrange a phone interview.
Check out our website and our Facebook page for more details about ACE!
www.usaconservation.org
www.facebook.com/usaconservation