Winter Trail Members - Saguaro National Park

EPIC • Tucson, AZ

13h • $800 • Hybrid

About The Position

American Conservation Experience (ACE), in partnership with Saguaro National Park, is seeking 2 Members to contribute to primarily backcountry trail maintenance projects alongside NPS Staff. The ACE Member will serve their season working on trails either in the high country or front country of the desert southwest. Most of this position will consist of backcountry service. The service requires very strenuous effort in moving heavy materials to and around the job site. The Member must be able to hike steep trails in all weather conditions transporting tools and personal gear and work in difficult terrain. Members routinely move items over 50 pounds. The ACE Member will assist with rehabilitating and maintaining the following trail related structures: log cribbing and steps, water bars and culverts, stone retaining walls, and stone steps and other tread structures. Tread improvement, out sloping, berm busting and rock removal will be common. Team members will likely assist in cutting and shaping stone. Tools will include a wide variety of hand and power tools such as various hammers, shovels, stone tools, rock bars, digging tools, and power shop tools such as cut-off saws, grinders, and drill presses. May use powered tracked material haulers. Consistently moves heavy materials to and around the job site. Serves under the supervision of a Trail Work Leader or higher graded trail employee. There are a variety of trail maintenance projects in the Cactus Forest of the Rincon Mountain District, brushing, installing timber check steps, and re-naturalizing parts of the trail. Other potential project work is helping with mine closures, bench installation projects and trail maintenance throughout the park. These projects have the same requirements of hiking, hauling heavy things and trail maintenance tasks. There may also be project work at other southern Arizona Park units such as Organ Pipe National Monument, Tumacácori Historical Park, and others. This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups.

Requirements

• Must be authorized to work in the United States. ACE does not provide sponsorship for employment visas.
• Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.
• Ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group.
• A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
• Members must be 21+ to drive due to ACE's insurance and liability requirements.
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required criminal history checks.
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Members will need to complete bi-weekly timesheets, beginning of term feedback forms, end of term evaluations and for longer terms, a mid-term evaluation.
• Members may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.
• Must be between the ages of 16 and 30 (some agencies interpret these guidelines to include veterans up to age 35).
• Must meet PLC Eligibility Requirements.
• Must be able to hike steep trails in all weather conditions transporting tools and personal gear and work in difficult terrain.
• Must be able to hike over rough terrain, and camp overnight under field conditions.
• Ability to hike 15 miles in a variety of potentially harsh environmental conditions and camp in a backcountry or front country setting.
• Ability to use a variety of hand tools, carry and move things weighing 50 lbs or more.

Nice To Haves

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing an associates or bachelors degree and/or have relevant experience in environmental science, botany, ecosystem restoration, natural resource management, or related discipline.
• Knowledge of trails maintenance and construction methods.
• Deep interest in outdoor recreational pursuits and being a productive part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Rehabilitating and maintaining trail related structures including log cribbing and steps, water bars and culverts, stone retaining walls, and stone steps and other tread structures.
• Performing tread improvement, out sloping, berm busting, and rock removal.
• Assisting in cutting and shaping stone.
• Using a variety of hand and power tools such as hammers, shovels, stone tools, rock bars, digging tools, cut-off saws, grinders, and drill presses.
• Potentially using powered tracked material haulers.
• Consistently moving heavy materials to and around the job site.
• Assisting with brushing, installing timber check steps, and re-naturalizing parts of the trail.
• Helping with mine closures, bench installation projects, and trail maintenance throughout the park.
• Conducting duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/members or resources.

Benefits

• Living allowance of $800/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.
• Eligible for a federal hiring authority upon completion of their term of service and 640 hours of service.
• Boot Gear Allowance: up to $200 to spend on work boots.
• Provided Training/Orientation: position specific training and an orientation outlining ACE policies and procedures, clear guidance on prohibited activities, and networks for support.

What This Job Offers

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