Division Director – Eastern Region

American Conservation Experience (ACE) is a dynamic non-profit organization dedicated to providing rewarding environmental service opportunities that harness the idealism and energy of a volunteer labor force to help restore America’s public lands. ACE has a national reputation for providing exceptional training and support to enable young adult crews to safely and economically implement technically complex and physically demanding conservation projects for the US Forest Service, BLM, National Park Service, USFWS and numerous state and local land management partners.

Job Title: Division Director, Eastern Region

Location: This position is based out of Fletcher, NC (Asheville Area).  This is an on-site position with occasional opportunities for local telework. 

Department/Division: CREW, Eastern Division 

Status: Regular Full-Time, Salaried (Exempt)

Reports To: National Director of Crew Programs

Schedule/Hours: Full-time, 40 hours/week with additional hours as needed (Monday – Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm with some adjustment expected to accommodate specific projects and program needs. Some evening and weekend hours may be occasionally required.

Travel: Regional travel required estimated at 10-15%

Start Date: January 6, 2025

Crew- Eastern Division Program Summary:

ACE’s Eastern Crew program operates year-round with young adult volunteer AmeriCorps conservation crews completing trail, ecological restoration, historic preservation and conservation field projects throughout the Eastern Region of the US, from the ancient forests of the Appalachian Mountains to the barrier islands on Atlantic Coast and all other aspiring landscapes of the Eastern United States! The Eastern Crew Region also supports several projects in Puerto Rico and USVI. 

Position Summary:

As the Division Director, you will oversee the overall management and leadership of the regional Crew program and are responsible for soliciting, planning, and coordinating conservation and environmental restoration projects, developing and managing program budgets, overseeing the recruitment of division’s members, and hiring and supervising program staff members over a large geographic area of the Eastern United States. The project range includes Puerto Rico and the ability to speak Spanish is preferred but not required. As the Division Director you will demonstrate a deep commitment to ACE’s unique mission that leverages public service for youth career development and volunteerism.

Key Attributes:

• A love of learning and leadership development.
• A belief that leadership begins with listening.
• An inclusive, collaborative and inspiring leader.
• A passion for building and leading creative teams, both direct reports and non-direct reports.
• Experience in strategic planning and managing multiple priorities.
• Demonstrated commitment to building a diverse and inclusive staff and culture at all levels.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Solicits, plans, schedules, develops, coordinates and tracks conservation/environmental restoration projects; maintains professional communications and relations with agency project partners.
• Negotiates contracts for work projects and assures compliance.
• Oversees the recruitment of program staff and members.
• Develops and monitors program budget.
• Oversees purchase and maintenance of tools, transportation, food, and lodging required to perform field operations within contract parameters.
• Oversees management of tools, vehicle and equipment inventories.
• Oversees preparation and maintenance of records and reports.
• Supports the National Director for Facilities to ensure the Division has the necessary facilities and required maintenance.
• Assists in the development and implementation of policies and procedures for staff.
• Assists in the development and implementation of safety and field skills programs.
• Oversees timely invoicing of projects.
• Oversees preparation of payroll.
• Oversees OSHA compliance, including appropriate record keeping
• Adhere to ACE safety policies and procedures; Reports any unsafe or harmful conditions, incidents and/or accidents immediately.
• Foster a culture and environment that positions ACE for success and ensures that ACE is the program of choice for partners, members and staff.
• Support Associate Directors with staff and member corrective action
• Ability to respond to urgent field, vehicle, and personnel situations remotely or in person
• Foster a culture and environment that positions ACE for success and ensures that ACE is the program of choice for partners, members and staff.
• Responsibilities and tasks outlined are not exhaustive and may change as determined by ACE.

Required Experience and Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in resource management, forestry, environmental sciences, geo sciences or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Four years of experience working in conservation and/or environmental restoration projects including three years of direct supervisory experience; OR any combination of education, training, and experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position at the discretion of the National Director.
• Strong skills in leadership, interpersonal communication, organization, management, conflict resolution and motivating others.
• Computer competency with experience using a variety of software and database systems, preferably Microsoft Office Suite and the entire Google platform.
• Ability to plan, supervise, schedule, oversee, and evaluate multiple, concurrent field operations
• Ability to work remotely and independently with minimal supervision
• Experience learning new systems quickly, with the ability to train others on their use.
• Knowledge of the methods, materials, tools, and techniques used in conservation/environmental restoration operations
• Understanding of the laws, regulations, rules, and policies governing field operations and program management
• Knowledge of Federal Uniform Guidance for grants and agreements
• Understand the principles of young adult development
• Knowledge of principles and techniques of effective supervision and leadership
• Ability to plan, supervise, schedule, oversee, and evaluate multiple, concurrent field operations
• Ability to analyze and resolve complex customer service and safety issues
• Ability to understand and follow ACE systems and processes including supervisor key responsibilities
• Proven ability to professionally manage confidential material
• Proven ability to track details and organize
• Ability and motivation to perform multiple and variable tasks concurrently
• Professional verbal and written communication skills
• Strong time management skills
• Proven ability to work independently and be a positive, contributing member of a group
• Ability to work varying shifts, outdoors, in a variety of weather conditions;
• Ability to adapt to surrounding work environment with conditions that can change frequently
• Willingness to travel locally/regionally, work occasional weekends and attend community events.
• Commitment to ACE’s mission of public service through youth development and volunteerism.
• Ability to receive and provide constructive feedback.
• Ability to prepare and maintain records and reports.
• Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• A deep and continuing interest in the welfare and professional development of ACE participants.
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.

Other Requirements:

• Must be authorized to work in the U.S.
• Valid driver’s license and an insurable driving record.
• Proficient in English, Spanish preferred.
• Ability to pass a federal criminal background check.
• Willing to abide by ACE Policy and Federal Drug Free workplace policies and laws. ACE reserves the right to drug test at any time.

Physical Demands, Work and Environmental Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talks and hears. Manual dexterity required for use of computer keyboard/mouse and other routine office equipment. May occasionally be required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Ability to hike over rough terrain, and camp overnight under field conditions on a limited basis.
• 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 10 lbs., occasionally moves up to 25 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Indoor air quality is good and the temperature is controlled. Field sites involve exposure to adverse weather, i.e., rain, snow, wind, cold and/or heat, with outdoor Air Quality Index numbers occasionally and possibly exceeding 200. At field sites, may involve loud equipment like chainsaws, brushcutters, augers, and gas- powered pumps
• Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
• Travel: This position requires regional travel estimated at 10-15%.

Compensation: Starting annualized salary range starting at $72,000 (assuming 40 hours/week 52 weeks/year), depending on experience.

Medical/Health Benefits: ACE offers competitive medical and ancillary plans (health, mental health, dental, vision and other supplemental benefits). ACE Staff members are also eligible to participate in ACE’s 403b retirement plan with a 2% employer contribution.

Holidays, Vacation, and Sick Time: As an ACE staff member, you will be eligible to accrue up to 80 hours of paid vacation time annually during your first two years of continuous employment, then it increases to 120 hours annually. ACE observes 13 paid annual holidays (floating holiday flexibility). ACE provides 10 days (or 80 hours) of paid sick time annually.

Additional Benefits: 

Outdoor Perks – As an ACE staff member, you will be eligible to receive pro deals which include deep discounts on outdoor gear providing 30 – 50% off retail prices on 100’s of established outdoor gear brands.

Trainings and Certifications – The Division Director may receive industry recognized certifications provided by ACE including:

• Wilderness First Aid (WFA) – equivalent cost of $280 and is a two-year certificate with recertification options.
• Depending on projects, you may receive a 32-hour Chainsaw Training based on the NWCG S-212 training with the possibility of receiving an official Forest Service Saw Certification.

Phone Provided or Reimbursement Option: You have the option to select one of the following options: ACE work phone device/number provided or monthly phone reimbursement for personal device/number use.

To Apply: Please submit a resume, one-page cover letter and contact for three professional/academic references to the application link. Qualified applicants will be contacted by email to arrange an interview. Applicants must follow all application instructions in order to be considered for this opportunity. This position may close at any time.

ACE values an inclusive workforce – if you meet at least 70 percent of the qualifications, we want to hear from you!

ACE participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information when you are hired to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

Employment with ACE is based upon ability, qualifications, attitude, and job-related factors. Every qualified employee or applicant has the same opportunity for recruitment, hire, training, transfer, promotion, compensation, demotion, termination, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, national origin, pregnancy, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information (including of a family member), veteran or military status, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, medical condition, marital or parental status, political affiliation, ethnicity, hair texture or style, arrest record, caste, hereditary status, endogamy, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, or federal law.