Post-Fire Emergency Stabilization and Rehabilitation Member

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management, is seeking Two Post-fire Emergency Stabilization and Rehabilitation Members to contribute to Post-fire Emergency Stabilization and Rehabilitation (ESR) project alongside the Bureau of Land Management Staff.

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

Member One

Start Date: ASAP; May 2024 (contingent upon Government Backgroundcheck)

Estimated End Date: May 2025

*a 52-week minimum commitment is required *

Member Two

Start Date: ASAP; May 2024 (contingent upon Government Backgroundcheck)

Estimated End Date: January 2025

*a 39-week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: Wenatchee, WA

Central Washington state is the home of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Wenatchee Field Office (WFO), part of the Spokane District. The Spokane District manages nearly 450,000 acres of public lands across the state of Washington. The WFO is responsible for BLM lands ranging from the Canadian border to the north, to the Oregon state line to the South. Some work (approximately 10-20%), may occur out of the Border Field Office in Spokane, WA. Botanically, plant communities range from extensive shrub-steppe habitats to dry forests and riparian areas.

For more information about Wenatchee Field Office, please visit https://www.blm.gov/office/wenatchee-field-office

Position Overview: This opportunity will be focused on monitoring and implementation of post-fire ESR treatments and includes working within multiple resource fields including botany, weed management, livestock management, wildlife, forestry, soils, ecological restoration, and recreation. The position will provide opportunities to enhance basic career skills such as organization, writing, detail, and communication, as well as field skills including the data collection, plant identification, use of GIS/GPS equipment and maps, integrated weed management, and driving on rough rugged roads. Post-fire monitoring methods include line-point intercept, counting emergent seedlings per square meter, GPS mapping of weed infestations and treatments, walking and mapping fenceline burned by the fire or reconstructed by contractors, and photo documentation.

Much of the work will be accomplished in remote locations on rugged terrain that require a 4×4 truck to access, it may take 1-4 hours of driving to reach a work site.

The member will assist the resource specialists with field work that includes:

• Monitoring post-fire conditions and treatment effectiveness
• GIS data collection
• Integrated weed management including herbicide application
• Fence construction and repair.

In addition, office work will include report writing, GIS data management/analysis, and data processing, analysis and reporting of post-fire vegetation monitoring data. Field work will be conducted largely in Okanogan, Chelan, Douglas, Grant, Kittitas, Yakima, and Klickitat Counties, WA in rough and rugged terrain.

Project expected outcomes include monitoring/implementation of treatments/reporting on at least 13 burned areas in central Washington, as well as analysis of several years of data collected by contracted monitoring crews in previous years.

This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups.

Schedule: Flexible, generally, Monday – Thursday, 7:00 AM to 5:30PM, for spring/summer/fall months, and Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 for winter months.

Position Benefits

• Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $800/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly. The living allowance is a fixed rate determined by the Bureau of Land Management and ACE and is not flexible.
• Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a federal hiring authority upon completion of their term of service. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general information online https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements.
• Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or Bureau of Land Management.
• Housing Assistance: ACE Members will be eligible for reimbursable housing assistance up to $175 per week. The ACE Member will only be reimbursed for approved and demonstrated housing expenses.
• Relocation Assistance: ACE members will have access to up to $500 to be used for eligible relocation expenses. Further details regarding distribution of these funds will be provided during the interview process.
• Provided Training/Orientation: ACE members will receive position specific training and an orientation outlining ACE policies and procedures, clear guidance on prohibited activities, and networks for support. Specific training may include basic workplace trainings including Defensive Driving, First Aid, and Equal Employment Opportunity training. Additionally, program specific training such as GIS/GPS, plant identification, quantitative plant monitoring, integrated pest management techniques, and data base management, may be provided.

Qualifications

Required:

• Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, as required by U.S. government contracts
• 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.
• A valid driver’s license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required two-part criminal history check .
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• ACE Members will need to complete bi-weekly timesheets, beginning of term feedback forms, end of term evaluations and for longer terms, a mid-term evaluation.
• Member may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a minimum of an undergraduate degree in biology, ecology, environmental science, botany, wildlife and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as plant identification, quantitative vegetation monitoring, or GIS/GPS data collection.
• All candidates are encouraged to apply, though local candidates will be strongly considered.
• Knowledge of natural resource management techniques
• Ability and willingness to work in hot, dry, rough terrain in the post-fire environment.
• Deep interest in natural resource management, ecology, restoration.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, hiking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talking and hearing. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Ability to hike over rough terrain, and camp overnight under field conditions.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 25 lbs., ability to move up to 50 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
• Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise such gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools.
• Travel: This position may require domestic travel.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including driving in city, highway and off highway conditions, extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland conditions, biting insects, and potentially dangerous wildlife. The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/members or resources.

Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety: If a vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties, one will be provided by the Bureau of Land Management or ACE. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the Bureau of Land Management. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the Bureau of Land Management, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to Bureau of Land Management and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required.