Associate Director of Operations, Eastern Division

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: Associate Director of Operations, Eastern Division

Location: Fletcher (Asheville), North Carolina

Department/Division: CREW, Eastern Division

Status: Regular Full-Time, Salaried (Exempt)

Schedule/Hours: 40 hours/week, flexible schedule (Monday-Friday), hybrid remote work allowed (onsite and telework), some evening and weekend hours may be occasionally required.

Reports To: Eastern Program Division Director

Direct Reports: Project Managers and Crew Leaders

Travel: Yes, occasional regional travel required (less than 25%)

ACE Eastern Crew Program Overview:

ACE Eastern's office opened in May of 2014 as an expansion of existing partnerships with Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. It boasts a wide reach across biologically and historically rich areas along the east coast and beyond. With close proximity to a multitude of National Parks and National Forests, as well as state and regional parks, ACE Eastern AmeriCorps conservation crews work year round to complete a variety of trail, historic preservation, and ecological restoration projects on public lands.

Position Summary:

The Associate Director of Operations is mainly an office based position with some field work responsible for supervising and managing the field operations department within the Eastern Crew Division. Working closely with the Division Director to support ACE staff and members as well as ensure that all projects and programs are well managed and safely completed, the Associate Director of Operations manages the following major aspects of the ACE Eastern Division including:

• Managing a staff of project managers and crew leaders
• Supervising project implementation, administration and field document management
• Coordinating and assisting with technical field training/consultation
• Completing project reporting/compliance for federal partners

The Associate Director of Operations will frequently interact with ACE's staff, members, project partners and the general public and as such is expected to maintain a professional demeanor, positive attitude, and willingness to act as an ambassador of ACE's program at all times. The Associate Director will need to be flexible, adaptable, and enthusiastic while working in both fast-paced office and field based environments. Leadership and forward-thinking are important assets in this position as the Division continues to evolve.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Oversee and support the division field support staff (Project Managers, Crew Leaders)
• Interact with partner/program staff and members as frequently as possible to ensure communication between members, ACE staff and project partners
• Conduct pre-project site visits as well as conduct ongoing field visits as needed and provide support on a variety of field projects to ensure safety and quality control while holding ACE field staff and members to ACE's high standards at all times
• Coordinating responses to field incidents and managing Workers' Compensation claims
• Train and support ACE staff to coordinate and conduct ACE field trainings and ensure technical trainings are delivered to every new member

• Assist Project Managers with training ACE staff and members for safe and professional restoration and trail projects including: herbicide handling; use and maintenance of hand and mechanized tools (chainsaws, brush-cutters, chippers, axes, hand saws, etc.)

• Oversee preparing project logistics including developing project itineraries with Project Managers and training of Crew Leaders for projects
• Assist with project rig-up and de-rig, before and after field projects.
• Implement field safety programs and inspections

• Maintain and improve current programmatic and operational strategies and develop new strategies to increase the productivity of the program
• Work closely with land management project partners to plan and schedule projects and assign Project Managers to appropriate field projects
• Work with Division Director and Project Partners on project scheduling
• Ensure that all project measurables and goals are met, including communicating and supporting project partners with project implementation.
• Assure accurate, timely compliance with Division project tracking records, including weekly reports, accomplishment reports, incident reports, safety sheets, end of project checklists, OSHA injury reports, etc
• Generate and submit ACE Crew Project Reports to project partners prior to established deadlines
• Guide Crew Leaders and Project Managers in reporting including tool logs, herbicide, and GPS data
• Arrange post-project meetings with project partners and solicit post-project feedback
• Assist in grant writing and new project and program development as needed.
• Foster an environment that is anti-bullying, anti-harassment and anti-discrimination

• Other duties as assigned

Required Experience and Qualifications:

• Practical knowledge of or experience with similar corps-oriented, non-profit organizations, land-based federal agencies such as the Department of Interior or other federal or state agencies
• Ability to perform a wide variety of heavy manual labor, for extended periods of time, often under adverse weather conditions and in various climates
• Willingness and ability to communicate and coordinate internally within ACE and with external stakeholders and partners
• Willingness to travel to field sites and work occasional weekends
• Strong skills in interpersonal communication, public speaking, organization, management, conflict resolution and motivating others
• Outstanding organizational and time management skills with the ability to maintain and effectively support a complex array of projects
• Computer skills required including intermediate knowledge of Google Workspace and professional email etiquette; Strong data management skills preferred
• Ability to function as an efficient, effective and adaptable team member displaying professional-level proficiencies in both technical and interpersonal skills
• Ability to perform work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Ability to adapt to surrounding work environment and conditions that can change frequently
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers and supervisors
• Ability to receive and provide constructive feedback
• Ability to prepare and maintain records and reports
• Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions
• Ability to understand and follow ACE systems and processes
• Proven ability to work independently and be a positive, contributing member of a group.
• Considerable experience and demonstrable knowledge of methods, materials, tools, and techniques used in a wide variety of conservation field work including environmental restoration, trail construction and maintenance, and other conservation tasks.
• Current Wilderness First Aid, CPR, and BBP certification or willingness to obtain within 90 days of employment
• Ability to prevent, analyze and resolve safety issues; possess knowledge of safety procedures as applied to field operations and experience in encouraging and enforcing compliance with safety policies
• Possess and maintain equipment operator skills and techniques used in conservation/environmental operation
• Knowledge of laws, regulations, rules, and policies governing field operations in environmentally sensitive areas
• Strong organizational and communication skills and experience leading, training and motivating diverse groups of young adults in a safe, organized and professional manner
• Possess a high school diploma or GED certificate. BA/BS degree from an accredited college/university preferred
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation

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.
• All ACE members and staff must verify that they are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 by the time they start their term/position or request a medical or religious exemption.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talks and hears. Manual dexterity required for use of computer keyboard/mouse and other routine office equipment. May occasionally be required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Ability to occasionally hike over rough terrain for field visits.
• 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 10 lbs., occasionally moves up to 25 pounds
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Indoor air quality is good and the temperature is controlled. Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic. Outdoor field sites involve exposure to adverse weather, i.e., rain, snow, wind, cold and/or heat,
• Travel: This position requires domestic travel

Compensation: Starting annualized salary range of $46,000.00-$54,000.00 (assuming 40 hours/week for 52-weeks), depending on experience.

Medical/Health Benefits: ACE offers competitive medical and ancillary plans (health, mental health, dental, vision and other supplemental benefits). ACE Staff members are also eligible to participate in ACE's 403b retirement plan with a 1% employer contribution.

Holidays, Vacation, and Sick Time: As a full time regular staff member, you will be eligible to accrue up to 80 hours of paid vacation time annually during your first two years of continuous employment, then it increases to 120 hours annually. ACE observes 13 paid annual holidays (floating holiday flexibility). Additionally, ACE full-time regular employees also receive paid additional holiday time for any normal work days that fall between the observed Christmas Day and New Years Day holidays. ACE provides 10 days (or 80 hours) of paid sick time annually.

Additional Benefits:

Outdoor Perks - As an ACE staff member, you will be eligible to receive pro deals which include deep discounts on outdoor gear providing 30 - 50% off retail prices on 100s of established outdoor gear brands.

Phone Provided or Reimbursement Option: You have the option to select one of the following options: ACE work phone device/number provided or monthly phone reimbursement for personal device/number use.

To Apply: Please submit your resume, one-page cover letter and contact for three professional/academic references to the application link. 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. This position may close at any time, applicants will be reviewed as they come in.

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 ACE on our WEBSITE or check out our INSTAGRAM!

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