ACE- Restoration Project Manager, Southeast Gulf-Texas

American Conservation Experience (ACE) is a dynamic non-profit organization dedicated to providing rewarding environmental service opportunities that harness the idealism and energy of a volunteer labor force to help restore America's public lands. ACE has a national reputation for providing exceptional training and support to enable crews to safely and economically implement technically complex and physically demanding conservation projects for the US Forest Service, BLM, National Park Service, USFWS and numerous state and local land management partners.

Job Title: Restoration Project Manager

Location: Corpus Christi, Texas

Department/Division: CREW, Southeast Gulf-Texas

Status:  Regular Full-Time, Salaried (Exempt)

Schedule/Hours: Flexible schedule (Monday-Friday); some evening and weekend hours may be occasionally required

Reports To: Associate Director, Southeast Gulf-Texas

Travel: Limited domestic travel

Compensation:   Full-Time, 40 hours/week within a flexible schedule.  Competitive pay with a benefits package that includes health, dental, vision and supplemental insurance, paid vacation, sick leave, designated holidays, and 401k retirement for qualified employees  

Start Date: February 1, 2021 or sooner

Position Summary:

The Restoration Project Manager for the ACE Southeast Gulf-Texas division is a field-based position responsible for supporting ACE field crews with safely and efficiently accomplishing conservation and restoration projects. This position will coordinate and manage project implementation and directly support and train crew leaders to successfully complete various restoration projects throughout the Texas and Oklahoma region, with a concentrated focus along Gulf Coast of Texas. While primarily a field-based position working and supporting ACE crews in the field, the Restoration Project Manager will also be responsible for preparing pre-project logistics and post-project reporting while working closely with the ACE Southeast Gulf-Texas Associate Director and project partners to ensure the safe execution of field projects.  

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Conduct pre-project site visits
• Train and mentor ACE Crew Leaders and members on field projects and during trainings
• Assist with planning, scheduling, developing, and coordinating field projects with ACE staff and project partners
• Assist the Associate Director with training ACE staff and members for safe and professional restoration projects including: herbicide handling; Hand and Mechanized tools related to restoration projects including chainsaws, brush-cutters, chippers, axes, hand saws, etc.
• Assist with preparing project logistics including developing project itineraries and training of crew leaders for projects
• Perform field visits and provide support on restoration projects to ensure safety and quality control while holding ACE field staff and corpsmembers to ACE's high standards at all times
• Oversee proper maintenance and use of tools, vehicles, field-related equipment, including organization of ACE equipment and supplies that have been issued to specific projects
• Train Crew Leaders and members in the proper maintenance and upkeep of chainsaws, brush cutters, herbicide equipment and other equipment relevant to restoration project while ensuring that the ACE tool warehouse is organized and maintained to OSHA standards
• Communicate with project partner and crew leader during ACE field projects
• Uphold ACE/partner relationships with professionalism and courtesy
• Assist with project rig-up and de-rig, before and after field projects
• Implement field safety programs and inspections under the supervision of the Associate Director
• Perform quality control field visits and provide technical and logistical assistance as needed
• Organize project data and write project reports following completion of projects
• Other duties as assigned

Additional Responsibilities:

• May be required to act as a Crew Leader to lead projects in the absence of a Crew Leader or assist on field projects if a member is sick or injured
• May be required to perform conservation duties outside the scope of typical restoration projects including trails, fencing, rock work, etc.
• As project/time permits, may assist with the following responsibilities:
  • Leading crew orientation and professional development trainings
  • Leading restoration trainings at other ACE branches

Required Experience and Qualifications:

• Must have or ability to acquire and maintain a Pesticide Applicator License for the State of Texas
• Must have or ability to acquire and maintain a Wilderness First Aid (WFA) certification
• Ability to travel frequently to field project sites, sometimes including overnight or multiple days
• Must have or the ability to acquire and maintain at least a B-Faller equivalent of chainsaw operation certification
• Experience managing or overseeing conservation/restoration projects
• Strong communication skills to professionally interact with project partners as well as ACE staff and crew leaders
• Strong management, leadership and organizational skills required to effectively manage conservation projects, leaders, and teams
• Ability to handle concurrent operations in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to encourage and enforce compliance with all elements of ACE's safety policies, and the skills to train and develop ACE's crew leaders and corps members
• Considerable knowledge of methods, materials, tools, and techniques used in conservation/environmental restoration operations, specifically:
  • Basic skills in the maintenance and repair of chainsaws, brush cutters, pole saws, pesticide sprayers, and any other equipment relevant to restoration projects.
• Considerable knowledge of safety procedures applied to field operations
• Knowledge of principles of young adult development, team-building and motivational techniques
• Ability to lead and train individuals and teams
• Skilled in the use of hand and power tools, including chainsaws
• Ability to adapt to surrounding work environment with conditions that can change frequently
• Ability to perform a wide variety of heavy manual labor, for extended periods of time, often under adverse weather conditions and in various climates
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with corpsmembers, partner agency staff, and the general public
• Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions
• Ability to understand and follow ACE systems and processes including key responsibilities of crew leaders
• Must maintain a positive, constructive work environment conducive to team dynamics
• Must maintain timely, effective communication with project partners, supervisors, and crew members

Other Requirements:

• Must be authorized to work in the U.S.
• Valid driver's license and an insurable driving record
• Proficient in English
• Ability to pass a federal criminal background check
• Willing to abide by ACE Policy and Federal Drug Free workplace policies and laws. ACE reserves the right to drug test at any time

Length of Term: We are seeking a dedicated, career-oriented candidate to help ACE develop and manage the restoration program. 8 months-minimum commitment. 

Housing: The Restoration Project Manager will be required to acquire their own housing accommodations; accommodations (camping, hotel/Airbnb etc) will be provided while on non-local field projects. 

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, talks and hears. Manual dexterity required for use of hand and power 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 lifts up to 25 lbs., ability to lift up to 60 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 requires domestic travel

To Apply: Navigate to the ACE website: https://usaconservationstaff.applicantpool.com/jobs/ to fill out an application. You must include a resume, one-page cover letter and three professional references. Qualified applicants will be contacted by email to arrange an interview. Applicants must follow all application instructions in order to be considered for this opportunity.

American Conservation Experience provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.  In addition to federal law requirements, American Conservation Experience complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.

Learn More About American Conservation Experience (ACE)!

Current Openings for ACE Restoration Project Manager, Southeast Gulf Texas Jobs at American Conservation Experience - Staff