American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management, is seeking Two Lead Post-fire Emergency Stabilization and Rehabilitation Members to contribute to the Post-fire Emergency Stabilization and Rehabilitation (ESR) project alongside the Bureau of Land Management Staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Start Date: ASAP (contingent upon Government Background Check)

Estimated End Date: 52 weeks after the listed start date

*a 52-week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: Wenatchee, WA

Central Washington state is the home of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Wenatchee Field Office (WFO), part of the Spokane District. The Spokane District manages nearly 450,000 acres of public lands across the state of Washington. The WFO is responsible for BLM lands ranging from the Canadian border to the north, to the Oregon state line to the South. Some work (approximately 20-30%), may occur out of the Border Field Office in Spokane, WA. Botanically, plant communities range from extensive shrub-steppe habitats to dry forests and riparian areas.

For more information about Wenatchee, please visit the BLMwebsite.

Position Overview: This opportunity will be focused on monitoring and implementation of post-fire ESR treatments and includes working within multiple resource fields including botany, weed management, livestock management, wildlife, forestry, soils, ecological restoration, and recreation. The position will provide opportunities to enhance basic career skills such as organization, writing, detail, and communication, as well as field skills including the data collection, plant identification, use of GIS/GPS equipment and maps, integrated weed management, and driving on rough rugged roads. Post-fire monitoring methods include line-point intercept, counting emergent seedlings per square meter, GPS mapping of weed infestations and treatments, walking and mapping fenceline burned by the fire or reconstructed by contractors, and photo documentation.

Much of the work will be accomplished in remote locations on rugged terrain that require a 4x4 truck to access, it may take 1-4 hours of driving to reach a work site.

The member will assist the resource specialists with field work that includes:

Monitoring post-fire conditions and treatment effectiveness
GIS data collection
Integrated weed management including herbicide application
Fence construction and repair.

In addition, office work will include report writing, GIS data management/analysis, and data processing, analysis and reporting of post-fire vegetation monitoring data. Field work will be conducted largely in Okanogan, Chelan, Douglas, Grant, Kittitas, Yakima, Lincoln, Benton, Stevens, and Klickitat Counties, WA in rough and rugged terrain.

Project expected outcomes include monitoring/implementation of treatments/reporting on at least 13 burned areas in central Washington, as well as analysis of several years of data collected by contracted monitoring crews in previous years.

The members will work with the post-fire Emergency Stabilization and Rehabilitation (ESR) program and Noxious and Invasive Species Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program. The ESR and IPM programs are relatively integrated as IPM is a major component of ESR. Approximately 30-40% of time is expected to be spent in the office, and 60-70% of time in the field.

The ESR program is focused on monitoring and implementation of post-fire ESR treatments and includes working within multiple resource fields including botany, weed management, livestock management, wildlife, forestry, soils, ecological restoration, and recreation. The position will provide opportunities to enhance basic career skills such as organization, writing, detail, and communication, as well as field skills including the data collection, plant identification, use of GIS/GPS equipment and maps, integrated weed management, and driving on rough rugged roads. Post-fire monitoring methods include line-point intercept, counting emergent seedlings per square meter, GPS mapping of weed infestations and treatments, walking and mapping fenceline burned by the fire or reconstructed by contractors, and photo documentation. In addition, office work will include report writing, GIS data management/analysis, and data processing, analysis and reporting of post-fire vegetation monitoring data. Field work will be conducted largely in Okanogan, Chelan, Douglas, Grant, Kittitas, Yakima, and Klickitat Counties, WA in rough and rugged terrain. Project expected outcomes include monitoring/implementation of treatments/reporting on at least 13 burned areas in central Washington, as well as analysis of several years of data collected by contracted monitoring crews in previous years.

For IPM program work, office work will include mastering the vegetation management computer programs to submit current and historic infestation and treatment data. The members will have the opportunity to work in ArcPro and use multiple mobile applications. Field work will include conducting surveys, inventory, treatment and monitoring of invasive plant species. The members will be expected to obtain their Washington State herbicide applicators license and will assist in chemical and mechanical treatment of invasive species. Chemical treatments are expected to be approximately 30% of field work time. Field work will be conducted throughout central Washington primarily in the shrub-steppe Columbia Plateau.

Every opportunity will be given for the members to express their interests and obtain experience with other specialists in the office. This may include working with the wildlife biologist, range specialist, restoration specialist, botanist, forester, or recreation specialist.

The participant will work out of the Wenatchee Field Office in Wenatchee, WA. Fieldwork will be done in a remote backcountry setting and requires strenuous exertion. Most field sites will require 1-3 hours of driving one way from the office.

Project expected outcomes include monitoring and treating weeds in multiple counties, and submitting 30 treatment records through the Vegetation Management Action Portal (VMAP).

Overnight travel may be required 1 or more times per month due to the travel time to some field sites.

Learning Objectives:

Assist administration of contracts for fence repair by acting as a Project Inspector working under the Contracting Officer's Representative.
Assist administration of Financial Assistance Agreements for herbicide treatments and Youth Corps crews working under the Program Officer(s) for the respective agreements.
Assist with herbicide database and data analysis automation scripting development and maintenance.
Leading new member training for field data collection and data processing/reporting protocols with guidance from Emergency Stabilization and Rehab Coordinator/Wildlife.
Increased involvement with plan development and accomplishment reporting for both Emergency Stabilization/Rehabilitation Plans and Pesticide Use Proposals/Reports in the Vegetation Management Action Portal.

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: Flexible, generally, Monday – Thursday, 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM, for spring/summer/fall months, and Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM for winter months.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $825/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.

This position is part of the Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement must meet the PLC Eligibility requirements to be considered for this position. Members may be eligible for a federal hiring authority upon completion of their term of service and 640 hours of service. If the duration of a PLC-eligible term is not long enough for Members to accrue 640 hours of service (~16 weeks), the total hours served at the completion of the term may be eligible to be combined with hours accrued from another PLC-eligible term to meet the 640 hours requirement. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age (You must be between the ages of 16 and 30. Some agencies also interpret these guidelines to include veterans up to age 35) and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general eligibility information on our website.

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or BLM.

Housing Assistance: ACE Members will be eligible for reimbursable housing assistance up to $275 per week. The ACE Member will only be reimbursed for approved and demonstrated housing expenses.

Gear Assistance: ACE members will have up to $250 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes clothing, footwear, sun protection, and camping gear, and must be approved by ACE staff prior to purchase.

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 basic workplace trainings including Defensive Driving, First Aid, and Equal Employment Opportunity training. Additionally, program specific training such as GIS/GPS, plant identification, quantitative plant monitoring, integrated pest management techniques, and data base management, may be provided.

Qualifications

Required:

Members 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.
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.

Preferred:

Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a minimum of an undergraduate degree in biology, ecology, environmental science, botany, wildlife and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as plant identification, quantitative vegetation monitoring, or GIS/GPS data collection.
All candidates are encouraged to apply, though local candidates will be strongly considered.
Knowledge of natural resource management techniques
Ability and willingness to work in hot, dry, rough terrain in the post-fire environment.
Deep interest in natural resource management, ecology, and restoration.

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, and camp overnight under field conditions.
Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 25 lbs., ability to move up to 50 pounds.
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 gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools.
Travel: This position may require domestic travel.

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 BLM or ACE. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the BLM. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the BLM, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to BLM 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 ACE's online application page for this position on our website.. 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 Project Manager - EPIC BLM/USFS, Anna-Louise Calliham.

If you meet at least 70 percent of the qualifications, we want to hear from you!

ACE participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information when you are enrolled in a program to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

EEO: Employment or Service with ACE is based upon ability, qualifications, attitude, and job-related factors. Every qualified employee, member, 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, age, sex, creed, national origin, pregnancy, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information, veteran or military status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, 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.