Conservation AmeriCorps Member- Asheville, NC - Start Date March 1st
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 working on meaningful conservation projects throughout the Eastern U.S. 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 13 or 26 weeks on projects including ecological restoration, habitat improvement, and trail maintenance and construction, all while completing a term of AmeriCorps service. Take your first step towards beginning or advancing your career by applying with us today!
Start Dates: March 1st
Estimated End Dates:
June 4th (for 450 hour term)
September 3rd (for 900 hour term)
Location: Asheville, NC
Projects take place throughout the Eastern U.S.
Schedule: Project schedules vary greatly, but typically members work 8 days on/ 6 days off or 4 days on/ 3 days off. For remote projects, members spend off-days nearer to their project location. Remote projects often last multiple project schedule cycles.
Benefits:
Members will receive a Living Allowance Stipend of $200/week, paid bi-weekly.
Members obtain an Education Award for the amount of $1,678.57 (3 month) or $3,172.50 (for 6 month) 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 Asheville, NC, members spend off days in our hostel-style housing in Asheville. When working remotely, members will be provided housing (which might be a tent) in those remote locations. The member will provide their own blankets/pillow/sleeping bag/towels.
Gear: ACE provides each member their own tent. The member will provide their own sleeping bag, sleeping pad, rain gear, and hiking boots. Upon acceptance to the program, members will receive a more extensive packing list. 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:
AmeriCorps 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 other duties 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 working 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
Qualifications: 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 40 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.
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.
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
The member must be willing to represent ACE and AmeriCorps in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner. ACE has a zero tolerance policy for illegal drugs and underage drinking. ACE reserves the right to require drug testing.
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.
To Apply: Please submit a thoughtful resume and cover letter along with 3 professional references by clicking the green "Apply Externally" button.
NOTE: Early consideration will be given as applications are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position, please feel free to contact Olivia Dannemiller, Outreach & Member Support Coordinator at odannemiller@usaconservation.org or 828-412-0584