Visitor Information Services Member – Inyo National Forest

Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Inyo National Forest, is seeking SEVEN Visitor Information Services Members to contribute to Interpretation and Visitor Services alongside Forest Service Staff.

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

Start Date: May 2024 *dependent on location*

Estimated End Date: September 2024 *dependent on location*

*a 20 to 25-week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: Inyo National Forest

• Mono Lake (Lee Vining Duty Station), CA [3 members] Dates: TWO April 15, 2024 to August 30, 2024 *20 weeks ONE May 13, 2024 to November 1, 2024 *25 weeks
• Mammoth (Town of Mammoth Lakes Duty Station), CA [1 member] Dates: May 13, 2024 to September 27, 2024 *20 weeks
• Mt Whitney (Lone Pine Duty Station), CA [2 members] Dates: May 13, 2024 to September 27, 2024 *20 weeks
• White Mountain (Bishop Duty Station), CA [1 member] Dates: May 13, 2024 to November 1, 2024 *25 weeks
• The Inyo National Forest is a large, complex forest, encompassing about two million acres in

California and Nevada. It contains several natural features of national and international interest. There are nine wilderness areas and six research natural areas, as well as the Mono Basin National Forest Scenic Area, the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, and Mt. Whitney – the tallest mountain in the contiguous United States. Diverse geologic features, combined with the elevational extremes and attendant wide range of climatic conditions, results in tremendous floristic diversity on the Forest, with vegetation communities ranging from desert scrub, sagebrush scrub, and pinyon woodland, to Jeffrey pine, lodgepole pine, and alpine habitats. Mammoth Lakes and Bishop are both premier locations for outdoor recreation in California. These opportunities include backpacking, fishing, hunting, hang gliding, cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, cycling, mountain biking, photography, rock climbing, trail running, off-highway vehicle exploration, and horseback riding.

For more information about the Inyo National Forest, please click here.

Position Overview:

• Provides excellent customer service by answering questions, greeting and assisting visitors
• This position requires the use of critical thinking and interpersonal skills while communicating to visitors, staff, and partners
• Works closely with recreation staff, seasonal and permanent staff to provide current and accurate information
• Informs visitors of rules and regulations, safety risks and recreational opportunities
• Evaluates public inquiries in order to provide the most useful and appropriate information or to suggest other options or redirect caller to the appropriate District staff
• Assists with tracking visitor use
• Responds to radio traffic in support of District personnel
• Performs administrative work including computer programs, paperwork, answering phones, as well as general cleaning and organization duties
• Issues wilderness permits and educate on safety and regulations
• Collects fees at a remote site while managing road safety and educating on resource protection
• Staff are encouraged to learn more about the area to enhance their knowledge. The position includes opportunities for field days or to shadow specialists.
• Performs other duties as assigned

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: 40 hrs per week with availability on weekends/holidays, 8:00am – 5:00pm

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $720/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: ACE members will be accommodated in Forest Service barracks at no cost for the duration of the term

Relocation Allowance: ACE members will have access to up to $500 to be used for eligible relocation expenses. Further details regarding distribution of these funds will be provided during the interview process.

Gear Allowance: ACE members will have up to $300 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position 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.

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 must verify that they are fully vaccinated for Covid-19 or have requested and been granted a medical or religious exemption to vaccination by the time they start their term.
• 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.

Preferred:

• Cash handling experience