ACE Volunteers - Join AmeriCorps and start your environmental career!

Save to Favorites

American Conservation Experience - Pacific West 2018 AmeriCorps Spring/Summer Forestry Program *Statewide Chainsaw Crew*

Summary: American Conservation Experience, a Non-Profit Conservation Corps based in California is currently hiring energetic, ambitious young adults to participate as AmeriCorps members in a 28-week chainsaw skills training program introducing and 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, CA State Parks, or the Bureau of Land Management, among others.

ACE is currently seeking corps members for an AmeriCorps (Half Time/900 hours) term in 2018:

Start Date: April 2 nd, 2018*

*An early arrival as soon as 3/29 may be required for out-of-state residents who need to complete CA state criminal history checks upon arrival to CA. All checks must clear before earning AmeriCorps hours.

End Date: October 12 th, 2018

A 900-hour, 28-week commitment is required. There may be opportunities available to continue with ACE after the 28-week period for the best performing crew members. Extensions to service are dependent on available projects in the field and seasonal constraints.

Position Description: Offered as an advanced, long-term opportunity to earn significant practical and environmental forestry experience, AmeriCorps Members in the ACE Conservation Corps program will spend approximately six months participating on complex fuels reduction, fire mitigation, burn area emergency relief (BAER), 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 being exposed to various forestry techniques and ecological restoration practices. As skills develop, it’s expected to remain on a project and cohesive crew long-term to advance one’s forestry skills, leading to less project variety in relation. Forestry corps member should expect to utilize chainsaw equipment for the duration of their 900-hour term.

AmeriCorps Members will also gain leadership skills while helping to supervise, train, and generally support current and incoming ACE volunteers and Corps members, who are rotated into new and ongoing long-term projects. All 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. Members will also be expected to serve as ambassadors of ACE and citizens of their local community by coordinating one volunteer event (Volunteer Service Project - VSP), recruiting a minimum of ten members of the local community to participate in a volunteer day alongside ACE members or with local residents for the common good.

Location: Field projects will take place at various locations throughout California during the spring, summer, and fall of 2018. 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 can vary in length from one month to three months or more, so members will experience several opportunities during their six-month term. Long-term project assignments are necessary to extend advanced chainsaw training to crew members, as well as invest your skills and commitment to see a project through to completion. Crew members’ project schedules are comprised of multiple short-term 'hitches’ on average 8-10 days long. Members return to the same project until completion, and/or to other projects in motion. Flexibility is necessary for locations during days-off, as you will spend days-off in Santa Cruz/Bay Area regional housing and South Lake Tahoe, CA.

Financial Benefits:

AmeriCorps Members at ACE California receive a living allowance of $6,400 (before tax) for 900 hours of service, spread evenly over the 28-week period. The living allowance calculates to $228.57 per week before taxes & housing deduction ($228.57 = $6400 divided by 28 weeks). This is a gross amount before taxes, and the standard amount of state and federal income taxes/withholdings may be applied by law. Members pay $25.00/week for ACE housing on off-days in Santa Cruz and South Lake Tahoe as an automatic deduction from the living allowance.

Upon successful completion of the program, members receive an AmeriCorps/Segal Education Award of up to $2960.00 (HT 900 HOURS) to be used to pay future education costs or federal student loans. More information regarding amount and eligibility, see the AmeriCorps website. Food is provided on field project days only, and housing (volunteer housing, tents, primitive facilities) is included both on and off projects.

Qualifications: AmeriCorps members serving with ACE should 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 Conservation Corps chainsaw program is meant as a stepping stone to forestry careers and as a gateway to potential advancement within ACE, not only as an interesting and rewarding way to spend several weeks 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 users of federally controlled substances in our program. AmeriCorps is a federally funded program, and all federal regulations apply. ACE intends to be a positive influence and intends to create safe and healthy environments for our members. The culture of alcohol and tobacco use is also restricted from ACE property and not supported by our mission of professionalism and personal development.

Other Requirements:

• Program is available to US Citizens and Green Card holders only.
• Members must have personal medical insurance for the duration of their participation with ACE.
• To prove eligibility and citizenship, members must be able to provide ORIGINALS and/or detailed copies of the following documents: 1) Social Security card, 2) Passport -OR- Birth certificate, 3) Photo ID (passport, driver’s license, military license, or student ID)
• ACE will provide tents to all Members (upon request) but all other camping items such as sturdy leather boots, sleeping bags, personal water containers, large backpacks, and raingear must be provided by the applicant. A detailed gear list will be provided in advance.
• Due to fire hazard conditions in ACE, smoking is not permitted in many of the sensitive worksites. Smoking is not allowed on ACE property.
• This position is a "covered position" that may entail episodic (temporary) access to vulnerable populations such as youth and the elderly. Selection for the position is contingent upon a review of all Criminal History results.

Age: AmeriCorps guidelines require 18-25 of age, however ACE as the host organization has the discretion to set age guidelines, and we do not have an upper age limit.

Training: Trainings will include CPR, Wilderness First Aid (WFA), Blood-borne Pathogens, Leave No Trace (LNT), USFS A Feller Chainsaw certification, general restoration management, and GPS use. Practical work and environmental training abound, we encourage the growth of our corps members to continue and develop to eventually be present for future certifications that become available with an extended commitment. Membership spanning several seasons allows for additional training opportunities.

Positions open until filled, but are in high demand. Apply now!

To Apply: DIRECT LINK: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/206000.html

To Apply: Fill in your basic information and click "APPLY FOR THIS POSITION" located on the upper right hand corner of the position listing above or find on our website here: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/

Upload all requested documents including your motivation statement, resume, and 3 professional references. Rather than a traditional cover letter, please include a motivation statement which sincerely describes your interests, skills, professional goals, and any other relevant information in regards to this opportunity. This is your opportunity to stand out and express why you are a great fit for our program, in your own words.

NOTE:Early consideration will be given as applications are received. This position may close at any time, and is open until filled. If you have any questions regarding this position, please feel free to contact the California Outreach Coordinator, Marcel Coppolino at 928-814-3191 or marcel@usaconservation.org.

Also, consider checking out our Facebook page and social media for more details about ACE!

www.facebook.com/usaconservation

www.usaconservation.org

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) To file a complaint of discrimination: write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.