Pacific West Backcountry Trail Conservation Crew Member

CREW•Sacramento, CA

8d•Onsite

About The Position

American Conservation Experience Pacific West, a non-profit conservation corps, is looking for members to come join our team of young adults serving on meaningful conservation projects throughout California. Our mission is to introduce and prepare our AmeriCorps members for careers in resource management within the conservation corps industry or with public agencies such as California State Parks, US Forest Service, National Park Service, National Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management, as well as many other local and non-profit land steward organizations. ACE Pacific West crews serve in Yosemite National Park, Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park, Death Valley National Park, on the Pacific Crest Trail, in coastal State Parks, on the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, and in numerous other inspiring locations. We have 3 branches to serve from! Choose between base locations in Sacramento, Coachella Valley, and Ridgecrest, California. This opportunity is intended for those looking to focus on improving backcountry skills for a career in conservation while immersed in a community of like-minded young professionals from around the country. Members will serve for 13 or 26 weeks on backcountry projects including ecological restoration, habitat improvement, and trail maintenance and construction, all while completing a term of AmeriCorps service. While serving, members typically have 3-6 days off between each project to enjoy California's abundant beauty and recreational opportunities with their friends and colleagues. Take your first step towards beginning or advancing your career by applying with us today! Start Date: 04/20/2026 End Date: 07/29/2026 Location: Sacramento, CA (branch location) Klamath County, OR (working location) This is a three month long backcountry trails project located in the Gearhart Mountain Wilderness of the Fremont–Winema National Forest. Crew Members will arrive in Sacramento, CA to participate in an orientation and training, and then re-locate to Oregon where they will spend the remainder of their term of service. Transportation will be provided back to Sacramento upon completion of the project for departure from the program. Schedule: Members will typically serve 8 consecutive 10 hour days in the field, followed by 6 consecutive days off. For this remote project, members spend off-days near the project location in Klamath Falls, OR. Benefits: Member compensation and benefits include a package valued at over $1,700/mo. Members will receive a Living Allowance of $400/week, paid bi-weekly. Members obtain an Education Award for the amount of $1,956.35 ACE provides members with food during all project days (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks); members are responsible for providing their own food on off-days. ACE provides members with campsite accommodations. When working remotely, members will be camping onsite. The member will provide their own blankets/pillow/sleeping bag/towels. AmeriCorps members may also be eligible for qualifying child care coverage and federal loan forbearance. Additional enrollment steps are required. Gear: ACE provides each member their own tent, required PPE, and bear can for backcountry projects. The member will provide their own sleeping bag, sleeping pad, rain gear, and hiking boots. Upon acceptance to the program, members will receive a more extensive packing list. Weather on backcountry projects can be highly variable, so plan on bringing layers of warm clothing and adequate rain gear. Members will have access to deeply discounted Pro Deals via Outdoor Prolink once they are offered and accept a position, and will have the opportunity to purchase discounted gear prior to their arrival. Travel: ACE provides transportation to and from worksites; personal vehicles are not necessary throughout the member's term of service. An ACE vehicle will be accessible for off-day use. ACE does not provide relocation assistance to Sacramento. Position Description: Members serve in professionally supervised teams as they explore future outdoor careers, learn practical field skills, and develop confidence as emerging leaders in the field of conservation while focusing specifically on backcountry trail skills. Members may also receive Wilderness First Aid (WFA), Chainsaw, and/or Crosscut Training. Members are afforded opportunities to learn and train under the guidance of professional mentors within ACE, while gaining invaluable career perspectives working alongside staff from the National Park Service, US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and many other stewards of our nation's public lands.

Requirements

U.S. Citizen or permanent resident
Able and willing to work in a group
Able and willing to work outdoors in varying weather conditions and capable of hiking long distances in rough terrain during inclement weather conditions
Willingness to undergo and must pass a required [three-part criminal history check / two-part criminal history check]
ACE participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information when you are hired to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.
Applicants should be prepared to perform physically challenging labor on environmental and conservation projects for 10 hours a day.
Applicants should expect to hike up to 10-12 miles a day on rough terrain, at high elevations, carrying backpacks, tools, and equipment, and be prepared to spend 8 consecutive days in the field, on each project.
Members will work in a variety of weather conditions such as temperatures ranging from below freezing to over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, high winds, intense sunshine, rain, and snow.

Nice To Haves

Experience in hiking, backpacking and navigation for long distances in steep terrain
Experience in backcountry settings for extended periods of time
Strong desire to enter the conservation field as a natural resource professional
Experience or interest in volunteering in local communities

Responsibilities

Trail construction and maintenance
Tread maintenance and construction
Brushing/Clearing
Logouts
Drainage and Drainage Structures
Grading and Switchback construction
Backcountry camping and cooking
Swamping

Benefits

Member compensation and benefits include a package valued at over $1,700/mo.
Members will receive a Living Allowance of $400/week, paid bi-weekly.
Members obtain an Education Award for the amount of $1,956.35
ACE provides members with food during all project days (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks); members are responsible for providing their own food on off-days.
ACE provides members with campsite accommodations.
When working remotely, members will be camping onsite.
AmeriCorps members may also be eligible for qualifying child care coverage and federal loan forbearance.
ACE provides each member their own tent, required PPE, and bear can for backcountry projects.
ACE provides transportation to and from worksites; personal vehicles are not necessary throughout the member's term of service.
An ACE vehicle will be accessible for off-day use.
Members will have access to deeply discounted Pro Deals via Outdoor Prolink once they are offered and accept a position, and will have the opportunity to purchase discounted gear prior to their arrival.