Summary
American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Bureau of Land Management, is seeking One Horse & Burro Member to contribute to Malheur Field Office Wild Horse and Burro project alongside Bureau of Land Management Staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit our Select one option: website at usaconservation dot org.

Start Date: August 5, 2024
Estimated End Date: November 22, 2024
*a 16-week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: Vale, OR

The duty station for this position will be Vale, OR. The Vale District is 5.2 million acres and has lands bordering Washington, Idaho, and Nevada. Much of the work will be accomplished in very remote locations on rugged terrain that require a 4x4 truck to access, it may take 4 hours of driving to reach a work site. Because of the long drive times it may be necessary to work 12 hour days to complete the work. Members will need to be able to spend multiple nights away in the field, either camping or staying in government provided bunkhouses.  Summer temperatures can exceed 100 degrees from June through August, there are few shade trees at the work sites so sun/heat tolerance is a must. 

Vale, OR has a rich ranching and rural history; there are ample rodeos and county fairs to attend during the summer. Nearby Weiser, ID annually hosts the national old-time fiddle competition in June. Outdoor recreation near Vale is expansive with public lands surrounding the area ranging from arid desert to montane ecosystems. Although abundant, facilitated trails and access are limited, with just a few established hiking trails, most recreation requires horses or all-terrain vehicles for access. It is 1.5 hours driving to the W, N or E to reach forested recreation. Shopping is limited in Vale (grocery store, hardware store, and gas stations), but Ontario OR, 20 minutes to the E provides a larger selection including a natural foods store. If you are willing to travel 1 hour you are in the Boise, ID area with unlimited cultural events and shopping opportunities. 

For more information about Vale District Office, please visit the BLMwebsite.

Position Overview:  At the Vale District/Malheur Field Office, Oregon the member will work with the Wild Horse Specialist on staff. This position will provide the member with work experience for their career and educational benefit by learning about public lands, furthering their understanding and appreciation of wild horse and burro and natural resources management. This project would be especially appropriate for recent college graduates and will provide opportunities to enhance basic career skills such as organization, writing, communication, NEPA, litigation, and policy, as well as field skills including data collection, use of GPS equipment and maps, and driving on rough rugged roads. The work will be an even split between office and field. Field work will be conducted largely in Malheur County, OR in rough and rugged terrain. 

Duties for this position will include:

• Learning about Vale BLM herd management areas.
• Assisting the wild horse and burro specialist with office administrative and field work that benefits the wild horse and burro program. 
• The majority of the field work includes data collection utilizing multiple monitoring methods, fertility control, and potentially gather related activities. 
• Office work will be necessary for data entry as well as learning to write NEPA, respond to litigation, work with partners, and overall wild horse and burro specialist responsibilities. 

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 (botany, wildlife, and range).

Schedule: Generally, the members schedule will be Monday – Thursday, 7:00 AM to 5:30PM.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $720/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.

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 eligibility information on our website at usaconservation dot org. 

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or Bureau of Land Management. 

Housing Assistance: ACE Members will be eligible for reimbursable housing assistance up to $125.00 per week. The ACE Member will only be reimbursed for approved and demonstrated housing expenses.

Gear Assistance: ACE members will have up to $240 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes, [hiking boots, bed roll, sleeping bag, weather jackets/coats, backpack], 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 Defensive Driving, 4X4, First Aid/CPR, and possibly some radio/GPS trainings.

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 on usaconservation dot org. 

Preferred: 

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a animal science, equine science, or rangeland management degree  and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as equine identification and rangelands.
• All candidates are encouraged to apply, though local candidates will be strongly considered. 
• Knowledge of Microsoft Word & Excel.
• Ability and willingness to work in the remote areas.
• Deep interest in land management or public lands.

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: Frequently moves up to 30 lbs., ability to move up to 60 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
• Travel: This position may require domestic travel. This will include traveling and camping (2-3 weeks) for the first two months.

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 Bureau of Land Management or ACE.  Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the Bureau of Land Management. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the Bureau of Land Management, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it.  Strict adherence to Bureau of Land Management and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required.