Pacific West Conservation Crew Assistant Team Leader (ATL)- Backcountry Trails (NorCal)

CREW•Sacramento, CA

About The Position

Join American Conservation Experience in California and enjoy free housing, skills training, and other benefits while helping to restore public lands from the Pacific Coast to the Sierra Nevada mountains! Multiple term lengths, locations, start dates, and other options are available. American Conservation Experience, a non-profit conservation corps with divisional branches in Sacramento, CA, Ridgecrest, CA, and Coachella Valley, CA, is looking for AmeriCorps Team Leaders (ATLs) to come join our team of young adults serving on meaningful conservation projects throughout the Pacific West. 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. This opportunity is intended for those looking to utilize their leadership skills to advance their career while immersed in a community of like-minded young professionals from around the country. ATLs typically serve for 26 weeks on projects including ecological restoration, habitat improvement, and trail maintenance and construction, all while completing a term of AmeriCorps service. While serving, ATLs 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 next step towards beginning or advancing your career by applying with us today! Start Date: 06/15/2026 End Date: 01/27/2027 Location: Sacramento, CA Projects take place throughout California and the Pacific West, with a heavy emphasis on backcountry trail work in the Tahoe National Forest. Schedule: For part of this term of service, members will be assigned to serve on our Tahoe National Forest Backcountry Trail Crew. The crew remain on-site at a backcountry base camp for three month-long hitches. In one month increments, members will serve 5 consecutive 8 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 Sacramento. Upon completion of this project (for 900 hour members), members 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: ATL compensation and benefits include a package valued at over $2,400/mo. ATLs will receive a Living Allowance of $520/week, paid bi-weekly. ATLs obtain an Education Award for the amount of $3,697.50 (for 900 hours) upon successful completion of service. ACE provides ATLs with food during all project days; ATLs are responsible for providing their own food on off-days. ACE provides ATLs with free housing during their term of service. When working in or near the Pacific West Division , ATLs spend off days in our hostel-style housing in Sacramento, Ridgecrest, or Palm Springs CA . When working remotely, ATLs will be provided housing in those remote locations. The ATL will provide their own blankets/pillow/sleeping bag/towels. AmeriCorps Team Leaders may also be eligible for qualifying child care coverage and federal loan forbearance. Additional enrollment steps are required. Gear: ACE provides each ATL their own tent. The ATL will provide their own sleeping bag, sleeping pad, rain gear, and hiking boots. Upon acceptance to the program, ATLs will receive a more extensive packing list. Weather can be highly variable, so plan on bringing layers of warm clothing and adequate rain gear. ATLs 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 ATL's term of service . ACE does not provide relocation assistance. Position Description: ATLs 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. ATLs 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. ATLs are expected to assist Crew Leaders in all aspects of crew work and life, including leading portions of crews independently, serving as an interim Crew Leader in the event of staff absences, setting a positive example for members, and other duties as assigned. Field work and additional responsibilities might include but are not limited to: Habitat restoration Trail construction and maintenance Dry and wet stone masonry Reforestation Forest thinning Plant identification Fencing Invasive species removal Swamping Leading safety discussions Discussing rules and regulations Instructing members Driving vehicles Keeping living spaces clean and in good order ATLs 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. Power Tools and Gas Powered Equipment: Chainsaws, brush-cutters, drills, saws, and compressors. 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 extended distances on rough terrain carrying backpacks, tools, and equipment, and be prepared to spend 8 consecutive days in the field , on each project. ATLs 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

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 moderate distances in somewhat rough terrain during inclement weather conditions
Willingness to undergo and must pass the required federal criminal history check

Nice To Haves

3-6 mos. experience serving in a conservation corps setting
Experience in hiking and navigation in steep terrain
Strong desire to enter the conservation field as a natural resource professional
Experience or interest in volunteering in local communities
21+ so as to be able to drive ACE vehicles

Responsibilities

Habitat restoration
Trail construction and maintenance
Dry and wet stone masonry
Reforestation
Forest thinning
Plant identification
Fencing
Invasive species removal
Swamping
Leading safety discussions
Discussing rules and regulations
Instructing members
Driving vehicles
Keeping living spaces clean and in good order
Leading portions of crews independently
Serving as an interim Crew Leader in the event of staff absences
Setting a positive example for members
Assist Crew Leaders in all aspects of crew work and life

Benefits

ATL compensation and benefits include a package valued at over $2,400/mo.
ATLs will receive a Living Allowance of $520/week, paid bi-weekly.
ATLs obtain an Education Award for the amount of $3,697.50 (for 900 hours) upon successful completion of service.
ACE provides ATLs with food during all project days; ATLs are responsible for providing their own food on off-days.
ACE provides ATLs with free housing during their term of service.
When working in or near the Pacific West Division , ATLs spend off days in our hostel-style housing in Sacramento, Ridgecrest, or Palm Springs CA .
When working remotely, ATLs will be provided housing in those remote locations.
AmeriCorps Team Leaders may also be eligible for qualifying child care coverage and federal loan forbearance.
ACE provides each ATL their own tent.
ATLs 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.
ACE provides transportation to and from worksites