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Summary: American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service and Saguaro National Park, is seeking TWO Vegetation Management Members to contribute to vegetation management projects alongside NPS Staff. 

For full position description and to apply, please visit: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/752395.html

Start Date: July 5, 2022 (flexibility may be available for the right candidate)

End Date: June 20, 2023 (or 50 weeks from start date)  

*a 50-week minimum commitment is required *

Location: Saguaro National Park, Tucson, AZ

Saguaro National Park is located outside of the city of Tucson, AZ. The park is host to camping, hiking, and backpacking trails for every level of adventurer. The park protects its namesake, our nation’s largest species of cacti, the giant saguaro. Summers in the Sonoran Desert can be extremely hot with temperatures exceeding 110 degrees and evening lows averaging 72 degrees. Winters present comfortable daytime temperatures in the 60s with cooler nighttime temperatures averaging 40 degrees. Access to all major amenities can be found in the town of Tucson which is a quick 20-minute drive from the park.

For more information about Saguaro National Park, please visit https://www.nps.gov/sagu/index.htm.

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $570/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

Gear Allowance: Members are eligible for a Gear reimbursement at a not to exceed amount of $300 for gear and boots.

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

Scheduling: This is a full time position and members are expected to contribute up to 40hrs a week, during the regular work week.

Position Description: ACE Members will be working in Saguaro National Park's Science and Resource Management Division with the majority of the duties associated with invasive plant control. 

ACE Members will join a team made up of biologists, biological technicians, volunteers, and interns. Projects will take place in both districts of Saguaro National Park in Tucson. ACE Members will be provided training in plant identification, plant removal, herbicide use and mixing, mapping with GPS and GIS, data collection, and specialized backcountry survey techniques. Occasional backcountry work will be done in the upper elevations of the park (up to 8,600') and involve camping. Duties will also include backcountry surveys for non-native plants, springs/wetlands, cultural resources, and forest health indicators.

Invasive Plant Control: 

This work is primarily manual and chemical treatment of invasive plants. Safety and herbicide training will be provided. For chemical applications, members will be required to work with approved concentrated herbicides and diluted solutions. Members will be required by law to follow all appropriate safety guidelines and wear appropriate personal protective equipment. The majority of work will take place in the backcountry, however projects may occur alongside roads and trails as well. The member must be able to handle hiking and camping in extreme weather conditions and across rugged desert terrain. Treatment areas are often difficult to reach and navigate and may require the use of high clearance vehicles and GPS tools.

ACE Members may be involved in ongoing or new monitoring associated with herbicides and invasive plants within the Park. The members will map localized infestations and areas treated by the Invasive Plant Management team. Work includes knowledge and use of GPS, Trimble handheld computers, and GIS software (ArcMap) to record, enter, and process data. Trimbles and GPS units will also be used for navigation while in the field. 

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.

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a hiring authority upon completion of their term of service.

Qualifications: 

Required

• Members must be US citizen or Permanent Resident, as required to comply with 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 required criminal history checks.
• 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.

Preferred Skills:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a bachelor's degree and/or have relevant experience in environmental science, botany, ecosystem restoration, natural resource management, or related discipline.
• Knowledge and ability to use GIS/ GPS equipment in the field.
• Ability and willingness to hike and spend long hours in the backcountry.

To Apply: Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience, and contact information for three professional/academic references to the online application page for this position here: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/752395.html.

 Early consideration will be given as resumes are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact Vic Yee, ACE EPIC- NPS Recruiter, at vyee@usaconservation.org.