Capital Reef Orchard Member

EPIC • Torrey, UT

9d • Onsite

About The Position

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Capitol Reef National Park, is seeking One Member to serve in the Resource Management & Science (RMS) division within the park ' s Orchard Program to assist with management of the park ' s historic orchards. For more information about ACE, please visit our website. Start Date : As Soon As Possible Estimated End Date : 27 weeks after start date Location Details/Description : Capitol Reef National Park, Torrey, UT For more information about Capitol Reef please visit the NPS website. Position Overview: The ACE recruited youth intern will obtain hands-on experience working in the field and in the office with NPS employees as they manage the park's historic orchards. Employing the intern for a spring-into-fall season will give a strong understanding of the entire orchard growing season, and this deep familiarity with the park and its orchards will further instill a sense of resource stewardship. The Orchard youth intern will assist the horticulturist and other staff with orchard and vegetation management in the park's Fruita Rural Historic District, receiving daily oversight and guidance. Orchard management activities will consist of tree care such as spring and summer pruning, tree planting and irrigation, insect and pest monitoring, and implementing integrated pest management strategies The Orchard intern will also be provided with opportunities to learn about horticulture science and application of botanical and horticultural practices in a unique setting. They will learn hands-on horticulture practices such as pruning, watering, soil, pest, and cover crop management, grafting, and tree stabilization within the context of historical preservation. The position will also provide personal and professional development that will contribute new knowledge and perspectives for future application in various science and environmental fields. 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: The usual schedule is 4/10's, Monday – Thursday from 7AM to 5:30PM with a 30 minute lunch. This has the potential to change to a 5/4/9 or 5/8 schedule, or to weekend days as program needs and seasonal changes require. Typically, the 5/4/9 or 5/8 schedules and weekend coverage are used only in the shortest winter days, and for specific project or field needs. Position Benefits Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $840/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 eligibility information on our website at usaconservation dot org. Housing: The Park will provide housing in a 5-6-bedroom dormitory. The Technician will have a private room with a shared bath, shared kitchen and common areas. The dormitory includes all appliances, washer and dryer, some kitchen pots, pans and dishes, and internet service. Heat, electricity and water are included. A phone is available in each dorm and long-distance calls can be made with a calling card. Housing is located approximately a 5-minute walk from the duty station. Gear Allowance: ACE members will have up to $500 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. Specific training may include historic pruning training, pest and tree ID, soil fertilization testing and calculations, historic flood furrow irrigation 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 criminal history checks 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 usaconservation dot org. Preferred: Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a natural resources degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as horticulture, arborism, cultural landscape preservation. Knowledge of perennial establishment or maintenance, IPM (Integrated Pest Management), orchard or landscape tree work, or nursery management. Ability and willingness to learn specific historic pruning styles, often through long days in cold and snowy weather. Work mostly outdoors in a wide range of conditions, and be a self-led-team member. Deep interest in horticulture or living landscape management. We are looking for team members who are willing, excited, and deeply engaged to learn the unique skills required, even if they do not have much prior experience in these specific skills listed above. Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions: Physical Demands : Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, carrying, and shovel digging. 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 40 lbs., ability to move up to 80 pounds. Environmental: Ability to perform physical labor for extended periods of time (e.g., digging, bending over, hauling material, hiking); Ability to work in harsh and rapidly changing environments, work in all types of weather conditions, traverse uneven terrain, , and otherwise maintain good physical condition; Noise Environment : Moderate to high noise such gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools. 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: 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 site 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.

Requirements

• 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 criminal history checks
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a natural resources degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as horticulture, arborism, cultural landscape preservation.
• Knowledge of perennial establishment or maintenance, IPM (Integrated Pest Management), orchard or landscape tree work, or nursery management.
• Ability and willingness to learn specific historic pruning styles, often through long days in cold and snowy weather.
• Work mostly outdoors in a wide range of conditions, and be a self-led-team member.
• Deep interest in horticulture or living landscape management.
• We are looking for team members who are willing, excited, and deeply engaged to learn the unique skills required, even if they do not have much prior experience in these specific skills listed above.

Responsibilities

• assist the horticulturist and other staff with orchard and vegetation management
• tree care such as spring and summer pruning, tree planting and irrigation, insect and pest monitoring, and implementing integrated pest management strategies
• hands-on horticulture practices such as pruning, watering, soil, pest, and cover crop management, grafting, and tree stabilization within the context of historical preservation.

Benefits

• Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $840/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.
• Housing: The Park will provide housing in a 5-6-bedroom dormitory.
• Gear Allowance: ACE members will have up to $500 to spend on eligible gear purchases.
• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees