Pacific West Conservation Crew Member- Southern California

CREW • Ridgecrest, CA

2d • $400 • Onsite

About The Position

American Conservation Experience Pacific West, a non-profit conservation corps, is looking for members to join their team of young adults serving on meaningful conservation projects throughout California. The mission is to introduce and prepare 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 SoCal crews serve in Yosemite National Park, Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park, Death Valley National Park, Pinnacles National Park, Joshua Tree National Park, on the Pacific Crest Trail, in State Parks, and in numerous other inspiring locations. This opportunity is intended for those looking to focus on building 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 primarily wilderness trails projects for this recruitment. ACE projects have a lot of variety and as they move from season to season, members may also find themselves working on projects such as ecological restoration, habitat improvement, and trail maintenance and construction, all while completing a term of AmeriCorps service. Members will have 3-6 days off between each project to enjoy California's abundant beauty and recreational opportunities with their friends and colleagues.

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]
• 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 weighing up to 50lbs, 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 and navigation for long distances in steep terrain
• 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
• Drainage and Drainage Structures
• Grading and Switchback construction
• Dry and wet stone masonry
• Habitat restoration
• Backcountry camping and cooking
• Reforestation
• Forest thinning
• Plant identification
• Fencing
• Invasive species removal, including pesticide and herbicide
• Swamping

Benefits

• Living Allowance of $400/week, paid bi-weekly.
• Education Award for the amount of $1,956.35 (for 13 weeks) or $3,697.50 (for 26 weeks) upon successful completion of service.
• Qualifying childcare coverage
• Federal loan forbearance
• Food during all project days (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks)
• Free housing during their term of service
• Access to deeply discounted Pro Deals via Outdoor Prolink
• Opportunity to purchase discounted gear prior to arrival
• Transportation to and from worksites

What This Job Offers

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