Invasive Plant Management Team Member

Summary:

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service, is seeking ONE Invasive Plant Management Team Member who will contribute to invasive plant management projects at Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park.

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

Start Date: Ideally December 2023, flexibility for the right candidate

End Date: TBD

*a 26-week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park - Macon, GA

This park is a sacred homeland to the Muscogee people. The park's archeology spans 12,000 years encompassing pre-Muscogee, Muscogee, and post-Muscogee settlement. The Muscogee people were forcibly removed for the Macon plateau in the early 19th-century but still return other states to experience the landscape of their ancestors. The park's 1,850 acres encompass many natural features and ecosystems such as upland fields and forests, as well as wetlands along Walnut Creek and Ocmulgee River. These diverse natural resources and habitats are utilized by a rich variety of plants and wildlife, including several endangered and threatened species. The park has also been colonized by numerous invasive species that overwhelm native plant habitat.

For more info: www.nps.gov/ocmu

Position Overview: Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park is a small but expanding park. The park has coordinated with the regional Invasive Plant Management Team for assistance with invasive plant treatments. The intern will be based in the small Resource Division and will provide daily treatment of invasive plants in the developed and undeveloped portions of the park. The invasive treatments will include vegetation control adjacent to rivercane stands for the purpose of improving native habit associated with healthy cane brakes.

This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promotes exposure to NPS land management and networking with professionals at various parks. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups. Members will potentially receive training on chainsaw and brush cutter use, herbicide safety and handling, truck and trailer driving, hand tool use, and GIS skills.

Schedule: The position schedule will be Monday-Friday 8:30am-5pm with a half-hour lunch (40 hrs/wk). Fall/Winter/Early Spring are the cooler, more comfortable seasons of the year in Macon, GA.

Position Benefits:

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $575/week to offset the costs of food, housing, and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

AmeriCorps Education Award Program: This position may be eligible for a 900-hour AmeriCorps Education Award while serving under the EAP 2023/24 grant year program, valued up to $3,447.50 upon successful completion of a complete service term. This is dependent upon AmeriCorps slot availability.

Loan Forbearance: AmeriCorps members may also be eligible for federal loan forbearance. Additional enrollment steps are required.

Qualifying Child Care Coverage: AmeriCorps members may also be eligible for qualifying childcare coverage. Additional enrollment steps are required.

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 will not be provided by ACE or NPS.

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.

Qualifications:

Required

• Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, as required by U.S. government contracts.
• Participants must be between the ages of 18-30 (up to 35 for veterans).
• 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 three-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.
• Members may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement or as defined by AmeriCorps.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website: https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements.
• A personal vehicle is required for the duration of the position for personal transportation.
• Must be able and willing to work outdoors, in varying weather conditions, and capable of participating in physical labor.
• This position is physically demanding and will require working outdoors in varying weather conditions.

Preferred Skills:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a minimum of a bachelor's degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as botany, ecology, biology, wildlife, natural resources, environmental science, entomology, or a related field.
• Experience with invasive plant management or restoration.
• Experience operating a vehicle while pulling a trailer.
• Experience identifying and managing native and non-native plants.
• Experience using GPS and ESRI GIS products.
• An ability to use power equipment and 4WD vehicles.

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. Manual dexterity required for use of various tools, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Ability to hike over rough terrain, and camp overnight under field conditions.
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Must be physically able to hike while carrying up to 40 pounds of gear on uneven and steep terrain, on and off trail, in a variety of weather conditions. Must be able to hike up to 5 miles over steep terrain for up to 8 hours/day.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently, working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
• Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise such as gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools.
• Travel: This position involves intensive travel to parks in the Southeast.

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, poisonous vegetation, 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 partner or ACE. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the partner. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the partner, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to partner 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 resumes are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position, please feel free to contact ACE EPIC NPS Recruitment Specialist, Emanuel Aragon Cruz at ecruz@usaconservation.org.

EEO: American Conservation Experience provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, American Conservation Experience complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.