Ecological Restoration Team Member

Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management, is seeking three (3) Ecological Restoration Team Members to contribute to forest & wetland ecology restoration projects alongside BLM staff at Cosumnes River Preserve.

For more information about ACE, please visit the American Conservation Experience website.

Start Date: October 28th, 2024

Estimated End Date: October 25th, 2025

*a 52-week minimum commitment is required*

Location Details/Description: Cosumnes River Preserve - Galt, California

The Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP) lies within the BLM Mother Lode Field Office range of interest. The BLM Mother Lode Field Office manages over 230,000 acres of public land in Central California and these lands are scattered all over the Sierra Nevada and Gold Country regions. The Cosumnes River Preserve consists of over 50,000 acres of wildlife habitat and agricultural lands owned by seven land-owning Partners. The Partners include The Nature Conservancy, Bureau of Land Management, California Department of Fish & Wildlife, Sacramento County Regional Parks, Department of Water Resources, Ducks Unlimited, and the California State Lands Commission. The Preserve is centered along the Cosumnes River, its floodplains, and riparian habitat. This habitat is buffered by a variety of agricultural operations. The Preserve provides numerous social, economic, and recreational benefits to local communities and to people residing in the larger Sacramento and San Joaquin areas. The habitat supports wildlife, including birds that migrate throughout the Pacific Flyway. The Preserve promotes low-impact recreation and offers naturalist-lead activities that include: hikes, bird monitoring, paddles, photography walks, and more. A personal vehicle is NOT required for the position but is strongly encouraged as it makes the applicant's days off much more enjoyable.

For more information about the Mother Lode Field Office or the Cosumnes River Preserve, please visit each of their websites.

Position Overview: Cosumnes River Preserve within the BLM Mother Lode Field Office, CA has an opportunity to introduce youth to careers in the BLM supporting ecology-based programs for wildlife and botanical resources. The Field Office has Resource Specialists on staff and would like to provide work experience to youth for their career and educational benefit. This opportunity will be focused on developing field skills and habitat management experience. This project is open to all individuals who have a passion for learning about and practicing ecology, botany, restoration, and/or biology. It will also provide opportunities to enhance basic career skills such as organization, GIS, detail, and communication, as well as field skills including finding and documenting biological resources, use of GPS equipment and maps, field note methods, animal and plant identification techniques, managing habitat, and controlling exotic plants. Previous experience with any or all of these skills would significantly enhance the student experience.

Cosumnes River Preserve was selected as one of the IRA Restoration Landscapes within BLM. The focus of the Cosumnes Watershed Restoration Landscape project area is to implement the Resource Management Plan for CRP, with an emphasis on improving wetlands, riparian forests, oak woodlands, and vernal pools. Control of invasive exotic plants, increasing native plants, and improving overall riparian forest health are key. In addition, some facility maintenance (trails/levees maintenance and fence repairs) is needed to protect sensitive habitats from being impacted.

Project expected outcomes include up to 200 acres of riparian forest restoration, 200 acres of integrated weed treatments, and 500 acres of habitat inventory and monitoring data.

Most of the work performed by the ecological restoration team members will consist of:

• Non-invasive plant removal via mechanical and pesticide application treatments
• Tree thinning (up to 6" in diameter)
• Planting native plants
• Collecting seeds from native plants
• Livestock fence construction/maintenance
• Removal of trash from preserved landscape
• Use of tablets to collect data in FieldMaps and/or Survey 123
• Field equipment maintenance and repair
• Some assigned work on Saturdays with the Habitat Restoration Team community volunteer group
• Some project assistance for CRP partners which include The Nature Conservancy, CA Department of Fish and Wildlife, Sacramento County, CA Department of Water Resources

This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promote exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups.

Schedule: Monday - Friday, generally 8 AM to 5 PM. During the summer, the work schedule will shift to starting earlier in the day to avoid working during the hottest part of the day. Some assigned work on Saturdays throughout the term with the Habitat Restoration Team community volunteer group that will then situate the member to have a Sunday/Monday weekend to follow.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $800.00/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly. The living allowance is a fixed rate determined by the BLM 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 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 and citizenship.

Housing: ACE members will be accommodated in provided shared room housing (similar to a youth hostel) on-site at no cost for all but six weeks of the term (from December 9th, 2024 till the end of the term).

Housing Assistance: ACE Members will be eligible for reimbursable housing assistance up to $200.00/week for 6 weeks (From October 28th, 2024 till December 8th, 2024 the member will be responsible for finding their own housing). 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, procedures, and networks for support. Specific training by the BLM may include the following: BLM Security Awareness Training, FISSA, BLM 4X4 Safe Driving Program, POSH, and No FEAR. BLM will provide field training on 4WD, project-specific training, and field equipment training. The BLM will also be able to facilitate First Aid training and chainsaw training within the first month of service to individuals who do not come with said training. Additionally, there is the potential for AIM training within this term of service facilitated by the BLM.

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.

Preferred:

• Knowledge of GIS, GPS equipment, and maps.
• Able and willing to communicate effectively and able and willing work successfully in a group dynamic as well as work independently.
• Previous First Aid and S212 chainsaw completed training ideal but can be provided if needed.

Physical Demands, Work Environment, and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, stooping, kneeling, walking, hiking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talking, and hearing. Manual dexterity is required for the use of various tools. Ability to hike over rough terrain.
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral, and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Ability to move up to 50 pounds. Able to carry pesticide backpack sprayers walking over uneven terrain.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates. Extensive poison oak, ticks, bees/wasps, high temperatures (100-110 degree fahrenheit highs) during summer months and cold, wet conditions in the winter months (temps in the 40-50 degree range with fog or rain), and steep/rugged terrain.
• Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise such as gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools.
• Travel: This position may require domestic travel. Must be able to drive 4WD vehicle. Must drive UTV. May need to drive manual transmission tractors.

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 themself, 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 the American Conservation Experience 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 BLM/FS Division Member Manager, Allison Finch at afinch@usaconservation.org. 

ACE values an inclusive workforce - 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 hired to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

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.