Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, is seeking THREE Exotic Plant Control Members to contribute to the Invasive Exotic Plant Control project alongside NPS Staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Start Date: January 27, 2025

Estimated End Date: July 26, 2025 (or 26-weeks after start date)

*a 26-week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: Cumberland Gap National Historical Park (CUGA) - Middlesboro, KY

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park (CUGA) is located at the corners of Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia. The Park contains 24,000 acres of which 14,000 acres are proposed wilderness. The natural beauty of Appalachian mountain country, lush with vegetation, supports a diverse flora and fauna. Cumberland Gap has 70 miles of hiking trails, mountains, streams, and caves. Middlesboro, Kentucky is the nearest town and is large enough to accommodate three grocery stores, fast food, several restaurants, and a movie theater. Knoxville, Tennessee is approximately 1.5 hours away and has many amenities of a large city.

For more information regarding Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, or the National Park Service, please visit the agency website.

Position Overview:

Cumberland Gap NHP (CUGA), as part of the National Park Service, has a mission to "preserve unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education and inspiration of this and future generations." The members serving in these positions will work with the CUGA resource management team to treat invasive exotic plant species throughout the park. This project will involve identifying exotic plant species and completing treatments using a variety of methods from hand pulling plants to using herbicides to kill plants, shrubs and trees through cut/stump and foliar treatments. The members will spend a majority of their time working in the field performing physically demanding work in all types of weather situations. This will be an excellent opportunity for members to work with and learn from natural resource professional staff and make a significant contribution to protecting park resources.

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 member will be expected to work 40 hours per week, primarily Mon - Fri, 7:30 am to 4:00 pm

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $650/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

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 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 the site. The park has limited housing. If park housing rooms are available, members may opt to stay in park housing, paying the associated rent or find housing in the local area.

Boot Allowance: ACE members will have up to $200 to spend on eligible field boots 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.

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 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.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website located on our Indeed homepage.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as biology, environmental sciences, natural resource management or similar fields.[specific subject areas].
• Knowledge of the interrelationships of various natural resources; for example plants, wildlife, water, etc..
• Ability and willingness to complete physically demanding tasks and spend a majority of time working outdoors in all types of weather.
• Deep interest in the National Park Service.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires [ 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 hand tools and sprayers, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment]. Required to [stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch]. [Ability to hike over rough terrain and mountain slopes (on and off trail), 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: Frequently moves up to [40] lbs., ability to move up to [40] pounds.
• Environmental: [Outdoor work 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 does not require unique travel except the possibility of an occasional camping trip.]

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland conditions, biting/stinging 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 NPS 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 the NPS, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to NPS and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required.