Conservation Corps Crew Member

Summary :

American Conservation Experience, a non-profit conservation corps with a divisional branch in Asheville, NC, is looking for members to come join our team of young adults serving on meaningful conservation projects throughout the Eastern US. 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 typically serve for 3-6 months on projects including ecological restoration, habitat improvement, and trail maintenance and construction, all while completing a term of AmeriCorps service. While serving, members typically have 2-6 days off between each project to enjoy the Eastern US'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!

Position Description:

Members serve in professionally supervised teams as they explore future outdoor careers, learn practical field skills, and develop confidence as emerging leaders in the field of conservation. Members are afforded opportunities to learn and train under the guidance of professional mentors within ACE, while gaining invaluable career perspectives working alongside staff from the National Park Service, US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and many other stewards of our nation's public lands.

Field work and additional responsibilities might include but are not limited to:

• Habitat restoration
• Trail construction and maintenance
• Dry and wet stone masonry
• Reforestation
• Forest thinning
• Plant identification
• Fencing
• Invasive species removal
• Swamping

Members get experience with, or in conjunction with, the following tools and equipment, depending on their level of training:

Trail Maintenance: Pick mattocks, Pulaskis, shovels, single/double jacks, McLeods, single bit axes, rock bars, chisels, crosscut saws, and griphoists.

Restoration Equipment: Herbicide backpack sprayers, spray bottles, GPS units, and measuring tools.

Power Tools and Gas Powered Equipment: Chainsaws, brush-cutters, drills, saws, and compressors.

Special Benefits

Benefits:  Member compensation and benefits include a package valued at over $1,700/mo.

Members will receive a Living Allowance of [$320/week, paid bi-weekly].

Members obtain an Education Award for the amount of [$1,459.26 (for 9 weeks/300 hours) or $1,824.07 (for 13 weeks/450 hours) or $3,447.50 (for 26 weeks/900 hours)] upon successful completion of service.

ACE provides members with food during all project days; 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 Asheville, members spend off days in our hostel-style housing just south of downtown Asheville. When working remotely, members will be provided housing in those remote locations. The member will provide their own blankets/pillow/sleeping bag/towels.

AmeriCorps members may also be eligible for qualifying child care coverage and federal loan forbearance. Additional enrollment steps are required.

Requirements

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
• Willingness to undergo and must pass a required two-part criminal history check

Preferred:

• Experience in hiking and navigation in steep terrain
• Strong desire to enter the conservation field as a natural resource professional
• Experience or interest in volunteering in local communities