Recreation and Resource Member

Recreation and Resources Member 

Summary: The American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), is seeking one (1) Recreation and Resources Member to contribute to a variety of conservation projects/endeavors like environmental education, oil and gas operations, weeds & vegetation management and more alongside BLM Staff.

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

Start Date: June 1, 2024 (dependent on a federal background check, flexible for the right candidate)
Estimated End Date: Late August 2024
*a 12-week minimum commitment is required*

Location Details/Description: The Pinedale Field Office administers approximately 924,000 acres of public land surface and 1.2 million acres of federal mineral estate in Sublette, Lincoln, Teton, and Fremont counties in northwest Wyoming. Pinedale, WY is home to many nearby recreational activities and plenty of opportunities for adventure. Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park are both a few hour’s drive away to access and enjoy on days off.

For more information about the Pinedale Field Office, please visit this link. 

Position Overview: This position will be focused on opportunities to work with other natural resource specialists, including hydrologists, wildlife biologists, archeologists, and range management specialists. This experience will provide opportunities to enhance basic career skills in resource management objectives and implementation, communication, and use of GPS equipment and maps, teamwork, and leadership. Previous experience with any or all of these skills would significantly enhance the experience but is not required. This position will involve many different avenues of the field office and will present different opportunities each week during the term of service.

The milestones of this project are to include but are not limited to:

• Experience gained in environmental education, oil and gas operations, and weeds & vegetation management. The member will gain experience in wildlife, hydrology, range programs, archaeology, forest health, and fuels ecology. Fieldwork will include partnering with permanent staff, other interns, and at times solitary fieldwork.
• Enhancement of recreation opportunities through trail building, maintenance and restoration, and other improvements to visitor and recreation facilities (e.g. kiosks, campgrounds, signage, etc.).
• Monitoring riparian area vegetation and hydrological functions, collecting soil and stream data, performing timber stand improvement projects for wildlife habitat, and overall forest health.
• Habitat restoration and wildlife protection, including reduction of invasive species, tree planting, fence removal/installation, riparian area restoration, etc.
• Reduction of wildfire risk to communities, watersheds, and other public land ecosystems.

The Pinedale Field Office has had a long success of engaging with interns over the years. Some of those internships have led to a career at the local field office. Members are invaluable for multiple programs’ busy summer duties, especially in the areas of education, monitoring WSA, recreation facilities upkeep, and our signage program. This member will develop skills in curriculum development, lesson planning, GIS and mapmaking, the use of power tools, and managing the Special Recreation Program. The member will have the ability to work and learn trail-building skills. Additional projects include trail and recreation site maintenance, travel management planning, and visitor contacts.

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

Schedule: Monday – Friday 8:00 AM -5:00 PM

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $600.00/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly. The living allowance is a fixed rate determined by the BLM 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 at https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements. 

Housing:  ACE members will be accommodated in provided BLM housing near the field office at a set cost for the duration of the term. 

Housing Assistance: ACE Members will be eligible for reimbursable housing assistance of $150.00/week. The ACE Member will only be reimbursed for approved and demonstrated housing expenses.

Relocation Assistance: ACE members will have access to up to $500.00 to be used for eligible relocation expenses. Further details regarding the distribution of these funds will be provided during the interview process. 

Gear Assistance: ACE members will have up to $300.00 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes appropriate working/hiking boots and/or weather-protectant clothing and must be approved by ACE staff prior to purchase. 

Provided Training/Orientation: ACE members will receive training and an orientation outlining ACE policies and procedures, and networks for support. Specific training from the BLM will include a first week full of safety training experiences as well as training related to UTV operation, trailer towing, 4WD vehicle operation, and other training related to necessary tasks to be performed. 

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. 
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements. 
• Willing to undergo and must pass a DOI security background check.

Preferred: 

• Applicants for this position can hold or be in the pursuit of a natural resources degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as wildlife biology/management, range science, restoration ecology, fire ecology, or related fields.
• Knowledge of computer applications like Word and Excel.
• Knowledge of organizational skills, time management, and attention to detail.
• Ability and willingness to be outdoors in the field in often rigorous physical conditions. 
• Ability and willingness to be occasionally self-sufficient in the field.
• Deep interest in recreation management, public lands, and conservation.

Physical Demands, Work Environment, and Working Conditions: 

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, hiking, and carrying. Manual dexterity is required for the use of various tools. Ability to hike over rough terrain.
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral, and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus. 
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: ability to move up to 40 pounds.

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. The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger themself, 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 BLM or ACE.  Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the BLM. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the BLM, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it.  Strict adherence to BLM and ACE equipment training, certification, and safety protocols is required.