Career Center

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Crater Lake National Park is seeking TWO Member(s) to serve as Vegetation Members.

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

Start Date: May 21, 2023

Estimated End Date: October 6, 2023

*a 20-week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: Crater Lake National Park is in the Cascade Mountains of southern Oregon. It's known for its namesake Crater Lake, formed by the now-collapsed volcano, Mount Mazama. Wizard Island is a cinder cone near the western edge of the lake. The Rim Drive, a road surrounding the lake, offers views of the park's volcanic formations.

For more information about the park, please visit https://www.nps.gov/crla/index.htm.

Position Overview: The members will work with and assist the Crater Lake NP Vegetation Management team in all tasks associated with non-native plant control and revegetation in the park. The work can include surveys, restoration, seeding and seed collection, as well as specific directed control operations. Control will be done using both manual and chemical control techniques including the spraying of herbicide. Members will be working as part of a crew with a crew leader and an assistant crew leader providing daily oversight and instruction. The members should be capable of hiking up to 10 miles daily on and off trail and on rough terrain while carrying a pack weighing up to fifty pounds. This is a field-based position, and most days will be spent outdoors; occasional office work will involve data entry and management. Some work will be performed in a nursery setting or indoors cleaning and processing native seed. This is a great opportunity to learn plants of Oregon as well as brush up on plant identification skills using dichotomous keys. There will be some opportunities to join other resource management crews and gain experience in other tasks.

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: Work will occur Monday-Thursday from 0700-1730 PDT.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $462/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

AmeriCorps Education Award Program: This position may be eligible for an 675-hour AmeriCorps Education Award while serving under the EAP 2022/23 grant year program, valued up to $2,474.27 upon successful completion o[a service term

Loan Forbearance: AmeriCorps members may also be eligible for federal loan forbearance. 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: ACE members will be accommodated in provided housing at no cost for the duration of the term.

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 may include park and Botany program orientation; obtaining an Oregon state public pesticide applicator apprentice license; first aid/CPR training; and NPS Operational Leadership training.

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 three-part criminal history.
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• ACE Members must verify that they are fully vaccinated for Covid-19 or have requested and been granted a medical or religious exemption to vaccination by the time they start their term.
• 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 or as defined by AmeriCorps.
• 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 B.S. degree in natural or environmental sciences and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as vegetation management, ecological restoration, and nursery management.
• Knowledge plant taxonomy and identification; invasive vegetation management; hands-on restoration (planting, seeding, seed collection), vegetation monitoring
• Ability and willingness to work effectively in small groups; perform physically arduous tasks; maintain positive attitude in challenging conditions
• Deep interest in restoration ecology

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent walking and hiking while carrying heavy packs for up to 10 miles a day; carrying and using hand tools to prepare sites for restoration; conduct repetitive nursery work including repotting plants, trimming away detritus from potted plants, and moving racks of plants; , 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, and/or crouch for long periods to collect seed and plant native plants. Ability to hike over rough terrain including steep rocky slopes and recently burned forests with downed trees, and camp overnight under field conditions.
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus. Ability to identify plants using dichotomous keys and dissecting scopes; ability to scan landscapes for hazards and invasive plant species.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 40 lbs., ability to move up to 50
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates. Field conditions vary throughout the season and may entail snow, sleet, hail, thunderstorms, rain, heat, cold, biting and/or stinging insects, wind, and smoke.
• Noise Environment: Moderate noise such as road traffic, hand and power tools. Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
• Travel: This position may require infrequent overnight backcountry camping or travel.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky and steep terrain, recently burned forested conditions, stream and wetland crossings, 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 agency or ACE. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the NPS Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by NPS, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to NPS and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required.