Environmental Restoration Members

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Bureau of Land Management, is seeking Two Environmental Restoration Membersto contribute to Youth Recreation project alongside Upper Snake Field Office Staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit: www.usaconservation.org.

Start Date: 05/06/2024 (contingent upon Government Background Check)

EstimatedEnd Date: 09/27/2024

*a 21-week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: The BLM's Upper Snake Field Office is the largest field office in the Idaho Falls District and has strong range management, recreation and realty programs. This office administers more than 700 Rights-of-Ways, with an average of 20-30 new ones every year. Whether fishing or floating the internationally-renowned South Fork of the Snake River, taking an exhilarating buggy ride on the St. Anthony Sand Dunes, or a quiet stroll on the Cress Creek Nature trail, there is an impressive variety of recreational activities for enthusiasts of all ability levels. It offers one of the most dynamic and complex recreation programs in the BLM. With over 250,000 visitors a summer, the South Fork of the Snake River is one of the most sought after fishing excursions. Likewise, the St. Anthony Sand Dunes offers over 10,000 acres of continuous sand dunes for those interested in recreating on public land. The Dunes also see approximately 250,000 visitors a year. The Upper Snake Field Office's range staff manage and oversee 350 grazing allotments.

For more information about Upper Snake Field Office, please visit https://www.blm.gov/office/upper-snake-field-office

Position Overview: The successful applicant will assist the Outdoor Recreation Planners with the USFO's recreation program, which covers almost 1.8 million acres of public land in southeast Idaho. Numerous opportunities exist for primarily field work and limited office work. Field work includes inventory and monitoring visitor use, inventory of WSAs, fence construction, sign installation, maintenance of recreation facilities (e.g., cleaning toilets, lawn mowing, weed control, painting), education and interpretation, and interaction with visitors to public lands. Restoration opportunities include monitoring restoration success using vegetation monitoring and inventory techniques. Members may also assist in low-tech restoration techniques applying in riparian systems. Office duties will largely consist of data entry, completing inventory and monitoring reports, counting of recreation fees, and development of education materials.

Duties will include:

• Monitoring vegetation and hydrological functions, collecting soil and stream data, timber stand improvement projects for wildlife habitat and overall forest health.
• Habitat restoration and wildlife protection, including reduction of invasive species, tree planting, fence removal/installation, riparian area restoration, seedling, and production, etc.
• Development and implementation of natural and cultural resource stewardship plans or educational and informational materials for visitors.
• Seed collection for restoration of lands affected by natural disasters such as catastrophic wildfires and landslides; as well as protection, conservation, and restoration of threatened, endangered, and special status species with the goal of preventing or de-listing of species.

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.

Schedule: The schedule will typically be four, ten hour days Monday-Thursday. This may very during the season.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $600/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly. The living allowance is a fixed rate determined by the Bureau of Land Management and ACE and is not flexible.

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a federal hiring authority upon completion of their term of service. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general information online https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements.

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or Bureau of Land Management.

Housing Assistance: ACE Members will be eligible for reimbursable housing assistance up to $400 per week. The ACE Member will only be reimbursed for approved and demonstrated housing expenses.

Provided Training/Orientation: ACE members will receive position specific training and an orientation outlining ACE policies and procedures, clear guidance on prohibited activities, and networks for support. Specific training through the BLM may include First Aid, Defensive Driving, Hazmat, and UTV training.

Qualifications

Required:

• Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, as required by U.S. government contracts
• 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).
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required two-part criminal history check.
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• ACE 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.
• Member may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a recreation or natural resources related degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as plant identification.
• All candidates are encouraged to apply, though local candidates will be strongly considered.
• Knowledge of plant identification.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, hiking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talking and hearing. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Ability to hike over rough terrain.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Ability to move up to 50 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland conditions, biting insects, and potentially dangerous wildlife. The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/members or resources.

Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety: If a vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties, one will be provided by the Bureau of Land Management or ACE. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the Bureau of Land Management. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the Bureau of Land Management, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to Bureau of Land Management and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required.

To Apply: Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience, and contact information for three professional/academic references to the online application page for this position here: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/. Early consideration will be given as applications are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact BLMFS Member Manager, Anna-Louise Calliham at acalliham@usaconservation.org.

EEO: Employment with ACE is based upon ability, qualifications, attitude, and job-related factors. Every qualified employee or applicant has the same opportunity for recruitment, hire, training, transfer, promotion, compensation, demotion, termination, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, national origin, pregnancy, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information (including of a family member), veteran or military status, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, medical condition, marital or parental status, political affiliation, ethnicity, hair texture or style, arrest record, caste, hereditary status, endogamy, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, or federal law.