Summary: American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks is seeking Two Members to serve as an Invasive Species Technician and assist NPS Staff with fuels reduction projects through preventing the spread of invasive species and ecosystem degradation in the front country areas of Ash Mountain and Cedar Grove.

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

Start Date: February 21, 2022

End Date: May 13, 2022 *a 12-week minimum commitment is required *

Location: Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park located at 47050 Generals Highway, Three Rivers, CA 93271. For more information about the park, please visit https://www.nps.gov/seki/index.html.

Living Allowance: ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $500/week to offset the costs of housing, food, and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

Housing: Housing will be provided by the park.

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a hiring authority upon completion of their term of service.

Position Description:

All work is front country in two geographic areas: Ash Mountain area near Three Rivers, CA and Cedar Grove in Kings Canyon National Park. Work involves mapping invasive plant infestations using a tablet with associated GPS including creating polygons, identifying target species, and estimating percent cover using visual estimates. Interns will also need to drive a government vehicle and will be applying herbicide via backpack sprayer and/or using a UTV with a spray attachment. Total areas to be surveyed and treated include: 19.8 acres of prescribed burn areas in oak woodlands in Ash Mountain; 10 acres of fuel reduction zones around houses in Ash Mountain housing area; and 409 acres of prescribed burn area in mixed conifer fairly open forest in Cedar Grove. Treatment will serve the goals of eliminating seed production, reduce seedbank, and allow native canopy to close. Members will provide invasive plant treatments in the burn area and will remove invasive plants that germinate in the openings provided by burning through the use of herbicides and vegetation equipment. This will prevent spread to other areas and improve local ecological conditions. 90% of the time will be spent in the field hiking and performing invasive species control with 10% of the time spent in the office for administrative responsibilities.

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.
• US Citizen or Permanent Resident
• A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
• Willing to undergo and must pass required criminal history checks.
• 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 by the time they start their term or request a medical or religious exemption.
• Willingness to apply herbicides (training provided)

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 Natural Resources, Environmental Science, Biology, Botany, and invasive plant survey or control.
• Knowledge of the National Park Service.
• Experience using botanical/dichotomous keys for plant ID
• Ability and willingness to hike in mid to high elevation terrain with equipment and large pack.

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 Western Regions Program Manager, Deanna Stark at 719-822-8178 or dstark@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.