Invasive Plant Member - San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

EPIC • San Antonio, TX

7d • Onsite

About The Position

American Conservation Experience (ACE), a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, is recruiting one member for a conservation placement focused on invasive species removal and riparian habitat restoration. The placement is intended to expose the member to natural resource management practices at an urban National Park Service unit and support professional development through fieldwork, office projects, and interaction with land-management professionals.

The member will help plan and carry out physical and herbicide-based removal of exotic plants. Work includes reviewing an exotic botanical survey, identifying high-priority areas, developing removal procedures, researching aquatic herbicides with the Park Biologist, and establishing test plots to assess herbicide efficacy in a historically significant waterway. The member will also assist with targeted treatments in sensitive areas, survey the park for invasive plants, and develop procedures for collecting geospatial data and metadata. Treatment locations and activities will be mapped and documented for future planning, GPRA reporting, and regional invasive plant management efforts.

The role also includes developing outreach and education materials about riparian ecosystems and invasive plant management, potentially drafting social media posts, contributing natural-resource content to the park website, and participating in an outreach event. The member may assist with high-priority park operations as needed, including support for large events and integrated pest management. The placement is based at San Antonio Missions National Historical Park in San Antonio, Texas, which protects four Spanish Colonial missions and their associated cultural landscapes.

The schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with approximately 60% office work and 40% fieldwork. The member is expected to contribute approximately 40 hours per week for at least 29 weeks. The anticipated start is January 2027, with an estimated end in late July or early August 2027, depending on the start date. ACE provides position-specific training and orientation, including training in herbicide use. Housing is the member’s responsibility and is not provided by ACE or NPS.

Requirements

• Must be authorized to work in the United States; ACE does not provide employment visa sponsorship.
• Must be willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization professionally, positively, and enthusiastically.
• Must be able to work independently and contribute positively as a member of a group.
• Must have a valid driver's license and an insurable driving record; documentation may be requested.
• Must be at least 21 years old to drive under ACE insurance and liability requirements.
• Must undergo and pass required criminal history checks.
• Must be able to perform the essential duties with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Must comply with prohibited-activity rules in the Member Service Agreement.
• Must meet Public Land Corps eligibility requirements to be considered for the position; stated eligibility includes age and citizenship criteria.
• Must be willing and able to work outdoors for extensive periods in multiple weather conditions, including high heat, and carry equipment exceeding 25 pounds.
• Must be able to frequently move 25–40 pounds and be able to move up to 50 pounds.
• Must meet the position's physical demands, including frequent sitting, standing, walking, carrying, hand use, reaching, talking, hearing, and occasional stooping, kneeling, stair climbing, or crouching.
• Must be able to work safely in conditions that may include extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, wetlands, biting insects, and potentially dangerous wildlife.

Nice To Haves

• A bachelor's degree, currently pursuing a bachelor's degree, and/or relevant experience in GIS, Geography, Cartography, Geoscience, Natural Resources, Environmental Sciences, Biology, Botany, or a related field.
• Some experience with GIS and spreadsheets or databases, particularly data editing and map generation and construction.
• A strong interest in the National Park Service, mapping software, and invasive species management.

Responsibilities

• Assist with riparian habitat restoration through physical removal and herbicide treatment of exotic plant species.
• Review and analyze findings from the exotic botanical survey report, identify high-priority areas, and help develop species-specific removal procedures.
• Research aquatic herbicides with the Park Biologist and establish test plots to assess their effectiveness in removing invasive species from a historically significant waterway.
• Assist with targeted herbicide treatments in areas of high natural-resource sensitivity.
• Help develop a geospatial data collection procedure for recording metadata about invasive plant locations.
• Survey park areas and record locations of invasive plant species.
• Map and document treatment efforts for future planning, GPRA reporting, and regional Invasive Plant Management Team efforts.
• Develop outreach and education materials about riparian ecosystems and invasive plant treatments; this may include drafting social media posts, contributing website content, and participating in an outreach event.
• Assist with high-priority park operations as needed, including natural-resource support for large-scale events and integrated pest management actions.
• Complete bi-weekly timesheets, beginning- and end-of-term forms, and a mid-term evaluation for longer placements.
• Follow ACE and NPS training, equipment, certification, and safety protocols, and use required personal protective equipment.

Benefits

• Living allowance of $1,000 per week, dispersed bi-weekly, to offset food and incidental expenses.
• Position-specific training and orientation, including specific training in herbicide use.
• Potential eligibility for a federal hiring authority after completion of the term and 640 hours of service, subject to Public Land Corps eligibility requirements.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed