Trail Crew Members

Trail Crew Members   

Summary
American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service, is seeking 4 Members to contribute to Trail Crew projects alongside NPS Staff.

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

Start Date: 06/03/2024
Estimated End Date: 10/31/2024
*a 22 week minimum commitment is required*

Location Details/Description: Crater Lake National Park is in the Cascade Mountains of southern Oregon. It’s known for its namesake Crater Lake, formed by the now-collapsed volcano, Mount Mazama. Wizard Island is a cinder cone near the western edge of the lake. The Rim Drive, a road surrounding the lake, offers views of the park’s volcanic formations.

For more information about the Crater Lake, please visit: https://www.nps.gov/crla/index.htm.

Position Overview:  Crater Lake National Park and its staff are responsible for protecting over 183,000 acres of land surrounding the sunken volcano that forms the United States deepest lake. The trail maintenance crew is responsible for 93 miles of trails (and trail structures) within the park’s boundaries, including 33 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail. Much of Crater Lake is either historic or treated as wilderness. This requires trail crews to use manual tools to clear trails and build structures. A typical summer will have the trail crew clearing hundreds of trees off trail using crosscut saws and axes and building hundreds of square feet of dry stacked stone walls shaped with hand chisels. Candidates will work and train with the NPS trail crew learning skills such as crosscutting, dry-stone masonry, equipment operation, and chainsaw operations. Candidates can expect long days of hiking (up to 20 miles) during logout days over steep varying terrain.

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: Typical work week will be Monday-Thursday 0700-1730 with two 15-minute breaks and a 30 minute lunch. All federal holidays will be down days. Hours may vary depending on project needs, but will not exceed a 40 hour work week.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute 40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $760/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. 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: ACE members will be accommodated in park provided housing at $550 a month for the duration of the term.

Relocation Allowance: ACE members will have access to up to $500 to be used for eligible relocation expenses.

Gear Allowance: ACE members will have up to $150 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes, purchase of boots, work pants, backpack, etc. 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 may include chainsaw training and related job hazard analysis training.

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.
• Members may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.
• Members must arrive with sturdy work boots no less than 6″ of ankle support and cut resistant (logging type boot, etc). Steel toe boots are not required.
• 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 High School Diploma and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as trail maintenance, landscape work, natural resource management, or carpentry.
• Knowledge of flora, hydrology, or landscape design.
• Ability and willingness to learn new hands-on skills, utilize equipment, and to work outdoors.
• Experience with chainsaws and hand tools
• Ability to work outside for long periods of time
• Knowledge or experience with American Sign Language (ASL)
• Deep interest in park operations, recreation management, land management, and resource protection.

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 possibly 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 40 lbs..
• 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 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: 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. 

EEO: 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.