Pacific West Backcountry Trail Conservation Crew Member - Southern California

CREW • Palm Springs, CA

4d

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: 06/29/2026 End Date: 10/07/2026 (450 hour term), or 01/27/2027 (900 hour term) Location: Coachella Valley, CA Projects take place throughout California and the Pacific West, with a heavy emphasis on backcountry trail work in the Sierras. Schedule: For part of this term of service, members will be assigned to serve on our John Muir Trail Wilderness Conservancy Backcountry Trail Crew. The crew remain on-site at a backcountry base camp for two month-long hitches. In one month increments, members will serve 5 consecutive 10 hour days, followed by two consecutive days off in the field. There will be a 6 day break at the end of each month in which members return to Palm Springs. Upon completion of this project (for 900 hour members), m embers will return to serve the rest of their term on other projects, typically serving 8 consecutive 10 hour days in the field, followed by 6 consecutive days off. 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. ACE does not provide relocation assistance to California. 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. Field work and additional responsibilities might include but are not limited to: Trail construction and maintenance Tread maintenance and construction Brushing/Clearing Campsite Restoration Other Conservation Skills Backcountry camping and cooking Members get experience with, or in conjunction with, the following tools and equipment, depending on their level of training: Trail Maintenance: Pick mattocks, Pulaskis, shovels, single/double jacks, McLeods, single bit axes, rock bars, chisels, crosscut saws, and griphoists. Restoration Equipment: Herbicide backpack sprayers, spray bottles, GPS units, and measuring tools. Qualifications: 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.

Requirements

• Must be a United States Citizen, United States National or Lawful Permanent Resident Alien of the United States.
• 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]
• 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
• Campsite Restoration
• Other Conservation Skills
• Backcountry camping and cooking

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.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed