Seed Collection Crew Member

Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Rocky Mountain National Park is seeking three members to contribute to native seed collection activities alongside NPS Staff.

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

Start Date: July 8, 2024

Estimated End Date: October 25th, 2024

*a 16-week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: Work will be conducted in Rocky Mountain National Park. Rocky Mountain National Park encompasses a spectacular range of mountain environments. From meadows found in the montane life zone to glistening alpine lakes and up to the towering mountain peaks, there is something for everyone to discover along the over 300 miles of hiking trails. Due to very limited housing available in and surrounding the park, members should plan to live in the Boulder/Longmont/Loveland/Fort Collins, Colorado areas where there are many more amenities and lower cost housing options. The crew vehicle will likely be staged in Boulder.

For more information about Rocky Mountain National Park, please visit Rocky Mountain National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov).

Position Overview: These positions will assist National Park Service botanical staff at the park in native seed collection, data collation, and seed curation. This native, locally appropriate seed is critically important for successfully conducting multiple habitat restoration activities throughout the park. The positions will receive training on plant species identification and the Seeds of Success protocol (used by the BLM, USFWS, and NPS) for seed collection. While NPS staff will provide initial training and periodic oversight, members should not anticipate daily interaction with staff and therefore, be prepared to be self-sufficient working in the field. Members are expected to assist with planning schedules; seed collection population scouting and collection implementation; data management; and reporting. The members will be responsible for ensuring quality assurance and control of seed and data collection and management and may assist with directing volunteers in seed collection.

Work will be performed both indoors and outdoors in all types of weather, and sometimes in extreme weather conditions. The positions will require strenuous physical activity including extended periods of standing, walking and hiking (including over rough terrain), climbing, lifting, and carrying of heavy objects. Travel to seed collection locations in the field is required and there will be a requirement for camping two days a week while performing seed collection activities. Assignments may be performed under hazardous conditions and inclement weather, such as heavy rain, high winds, or flooding. Poison oak, stinging nettle, ticks, and mosquitoes may be present. Project coordination and report writing is sedentary, which requires the ability to concentrate and write for long periods of time.

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: Workdays shall be between Monday-Thursday and it is expected that days will be at least 10 hours in length due to the commuting distance to work areas. Start times are at the discretion of the crew, but shall be early enough to allow for 10 hours of daylight work. Members should expect that they will be camping at least 2 nights each week (Tuesday & Wednesday) at a designated campground.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $700/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

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 information online: https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements.

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or NPS. However, a housing stipend of $300/month shall be provided to offset some of housing expenses.

Gear Allowance: ACE members will have up to $300 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes, backpack, hiking boots, and camping gear and must be approved by ACE staff prior to purchase.

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 will include Seeds of Success seed collection protocol (Collection tendersglobal.net Bureau of Land Management (blm.gov).

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
• 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 bachelor’s degree (preferably in a biology or natural resources subject) and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as botany/plant science and/or ecology.
• Experience performing plant identification, seed collection, and collecting data via Survey123 and Field Maps.
• Ability and willingness to perform seed collection which can sometimes be repetitive and meticulous work; follow seed collection and data collection protocols; collect data using Survey123 and Field Maps; spend at least two nights a week camping; and work as a member of a team.
• Deep interest in botany and 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. 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 camp overnight under 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 20 lbs., ability to move up to 50 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor conditions-work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
• Noise Environment: Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
• Travel: This position does not require unique travel.

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 self, fellow staff/members or resources.

Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety: A vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties and will be provided by 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 site will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to NPS and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required.