ACE EPIC Opportunities Login Invasive Plant Management Members – Southeast Coast Invasive Plant Management Team – Congaree National Park

Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the Southeast Coast
Invasive Plant Management Team (SEC-IPMT) is seeking TWO Members to contribute to the IPMT projects
alongside NPS Staff. For more information about ACE, please visit our website at usaconservation.org.

Start Date: October 21, 2024
Estimated End Date: April 18, 2025 *a 26-week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: This internship is a 26-week opportunity to be a part of a traveling team that will
focus on invasive plant management at 13 parks in the Southeast Region. These include national parks in North
Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama. Congaree National Park will serve as the base for the travelling
team.

Congaree National Park is a stunningly beautiful and very special place. This park protects the largest contiguous
tract of old growth floodplain hardwood forest in the southeast. Our boundaries encompass approximately 27,000
acres the majority of which is designated wilderness. In general, the climate is mild with very, very hot and humid
summers. Columbia is also a very nice city with much to keep you busy and entertained. There are many hiking
opportunities within a short drive of the city, and this is a wonderful place to be if you are a paddler. Columbia is
also only about 2 hours from the mountains and 1.5 hours from the ocean.
The team will visit several, but not all of our 13 partner parks throughout the southeast during your internship.

For more information about Congaree National Park, please visit the NPS website here: https://www.nps.gov/cong

Position Overview: The team will be based at Congaree National Park near Columbia, SC; however, will
periodically travel on a work schedule of eight consecutive ten hour working days, then return to Congaree for six
scheduled days off before traveling to the next park or site for eight, ten-hour days.
You will control non-native plants using both manual and chemical methods (75%), perform distribution mapping
of non-native plants using GPS (10%), and assist with additional resource management field, GIS, and data
management projects (15%). Because of the travel intensive nature of this internship, we are looking for adaptable
applicants willing to work in an environment requiring a lot of flexibility. At times our travel plans change suddenly
due to unforeseen weather or training opportunities.

This internship is meant to facilitate professional development and promotes exposure to NPS land management
and networking with professionals at various parks. This could include gaining experience in different conservation
fields and shadowing different work groups. Interns will potentially receive training on many resource
management aspects: herbicide safety and handling, truck and trailer driving, hand tool use, GIS skills, and see a
variety of beautiful parks located in the Southeast. The crew will be manually removing exotic invasive vegetation
in both urban and rural NPS sites. The team will live together while in travel status, so the ability to get along with
others is vital. The housing accommodations will vary from rustic park housing to hotels, but while traveling
camping will not be required. The program is interested in crewmembers with initiative, leadership ability,
patience, and an intense work ethic who have a desire to expand their resumes.

Schedule: The team will be based at Congaree National Park near Columbia, SC; however, will periodically travel on
a work schedule of eight consecutive ten hour working days, then return to Congaree for six scheduled days off
before traveling to the next park or site for eight, ten-hour days. Personal vehicle required for personal use on days off.

Position Benefits

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

AmeriCorps Education Award Program: This position may be eligible for a 900-hour AmeriCorps Education Award
while serving under the EAP 2024/25 grant year program, currently valued up to $3,447.50 upon successful
completion of a complete service term and 900hrs.

Loan Forbearance: AmeriCorps members may also be eligible for federal loan forbearance. Additional enrollment
steps are required.

Qualifying Child Care Coverage: AmeriCorps members may also be eligible for qualifying child care coverage.

Additional enrollment steps are required.

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 and 640 hours of service. If the duration of a PLC-eligible term is
not long enough for Members to accrue 640 hours of service (~16 weeks), the total hours served at the completion
of the term may be eligible to be combined with hours accrued from another PLC-eligible term to meet the 640
hours requirement. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please
contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general eligibility information on our USA conservation
website

Housing: Interns will be accommodated in a shared dormitory on Congaree National Park property at no cost for
the duration of the term. Individual rooms are not guaranteed, members must be okay with sharing rooms and common spaces. Following guidelines for National Park Service housing policies.
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.

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.

Be 21 years or older to operate a National Park Service government vehicle.

Personal vehicle required as members may have up to 6 days off at a time.

• 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 criminal history checks for both ACE and the National Park Service.
• 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 at usaconservation.org.

Preferred:
Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a bachelor’s degree and/or have relevant
experience in subject areas such as conservation, ecology, environmental science, or outdoor recreation.
Knowledge of botany, conservation, ecology, environmental science and a love of the outdoors.

• Ability and willingness to spend many hours outdoors in at time inclement weather. Willingness to travel up to eight hours to reach a work site.
• Deep interest in botany or NPS resource management preferred.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent, walking, hiking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talking and hearing. Manual dexterity required for use of various tools, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Ability to hike over rough terrain and be outside for up to ten hours a day in various field conditions.
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to
  focus.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 45 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. Willingness to safely use herbicdies is required.
• Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise such gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools.

Travel: This position requires domestic travel for up to eight days at a time.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards
including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland conditions, biting insects, and potentially
dangerous wildlife. Poison Ivy is present at many work sites. 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 NPS or ACE. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the NPS.
Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the NPS, will be mandatory for any activity that
requires it. Strict adherence to NPS and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required.