Backcountry Conservation Crew

Summary:

American Conservation Experience, a non-profit conservation corps with a regional base in Flagstaff, AZ, is looking for members to come join our team of young adults working on meaningful conservation projects in the Southwest. This opportunity is intended for those looking to learn valuable skills for their career while immersed in a community of like-minded young professionals from around the country. Members work for 14 weeks on trail maintenance projects while completing a term of AmeriCorps service. While serving, members typically have 6 days off between each project to enjoy the Southwest's abundant beauty and recreational opportunities with their friends and colleagues. Take your first step towards beginning or advancing your career by applying with us today!

Start Dates: May 9th

Estimated End Dates: August 10th

Location: Flagstaff, AZ

This listing is for two different backcountry crews: one in the Santa Fe National Forest near Coyote, New Mexico and the other in the Gila National Forest near Silver City, NM.

Schedule: These crews will be working an 8-6 schedule. For 'remote' projects such as this one, members spend off-days nearer to their project location for multiple project schedule cycles. Camping or other accommodations are provided most days between project cycles while on remote projects. The majority of off days will be spent in New Mexico as well as some in Flagstaff.

Benefits: Members will receive a Living Allowance Stipend of $200/week, paid bi-weekly. Corps members obtain an Education Award for the amount of $1,678.57 (for 14 weeks) upon successful completion of service.

ACE provides members with food during all project days; corps members are responsible for providing their own food on off-days.

ACE provides members with free housing during their term of service. When working in or near Flagstaff, members spend off days in our hostel-style housing in Flagstaff, AZ. When working remotely, members will be provided housing in those remote locations. Housing may come in the form of ACE owned or rented properties, Air BnBs, or dispersed camping. Members will provide their own blankets/pillow/sleeping bag/towels.Members will spend the majority of this project in a remote work location.

Gear: ACE provides each member their own tent, uniforms, and assigns each crew with camp cooking and kitchenware. Members will provide their own sleeping bag, sleeping pad, rain gear, pants, warm clothing, and hiking boots. Upon acceptance to the program, members will receive a more extensive packing list and access to discounted pro deals from leading manufacturers in outdoor gear and apparel. Weather can be highly variable, so plan on bringing layers of warm clothing and adequate rain gear.

Travel: ACE provides transportation to and from worksites; personal vehicles are not necessary throughout the member's term of service. ACE does not provide relocation assistance.

Position Description:

Work will be primarily in a backcountry setting on National Forest land in New Mexico. One crew will be working on the Gila National Forest, and the other crew will be working on the Santa Fe National Forest. These crews will be working several miles away from definitive care or cell phone service. The majority of the work will be trail maintenance - corridor management, tread and drainage work, and some log-out with crosscut saws.

This is a backcountry crew. The hike into the worksite each week will be very strenuous. When heading into the backcountry members of the crew will be carrying in all their own equipment, projects, tools and equipment as well as food - packs will be heavy. Expect to hike up to 10 miles each day, with elevation gains of 2000-3000 feet.

Members will receive Wilderness First Aid Training and Crosscut Sawyer Training during the first 2 weeks of their term.

Field work and other duties might include but are not limited to:

• Trail construction and maintenance
• Habitat restoration
• Reforestation
• Forest thinning
• Fencing
• Invasive species removal
• Swamping

Requirements

Qualifications: This project is very physically demanding and requires that members be able to hike 10 miles, in steep terrain, with a heavy pack. Applicants must be capable of performing physically demanding labor on environmental and conservation projects for 10 hours a day. Applicants should expect to hike extended distances on rough terrain carrying up to 80 lbs, and be prepared to spend 8 consecutive days in the field on each project. Members will work in a variety of weather conditions such as temperatures ranging from below freezing to over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, high winds, intense sunshine, rain, and snow. Members should be prepared to live in communal housing situations with other members of the program. Members should expect to have roommates, and must inform staff of any housing preferences or required accommodations.

Required:

• U.S. Citizen or permanent resident
• Able and willing to work in a group
• Able and willing to work outdoors in varying weather conditions and capable of hiking moderate distances in somewhat rough terrain during inclement weather conditions
• Ability and willingness to undergo a Federal criminal history check
• 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.
• Experience hiking and navigating in steep terrain

Why work here

ACE is a great place to begin or advance your career in conservation while learning new job skills, pursuing industry recognized certifications, establishing a strong network of conservation professionals, and even earning money towards your education in our AmeriCorps eligible positions.