Conservation Crew Leader - Chenier Plains National Wildlife Refuge Complex

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: Conservation Crew Leader

Location: This position will be based out of the Chenier Plains National Wildlife Refuge Complex, headquartered in Winnie, TX.

Department/Division: CREW, Southeast Gulf -Texas

Status: Seasonal, Full-Time (Exempt)

Schedule/Hours: Full-time. Flexible Schedule with varying shifts; 40 hours/week with additional hours as needed (field projects typically run on a 4-day (10 hour/day) hitch, 3 days off schedule or on an 8-day (10 hour/day) hitch, 6 day off schedule)

Dates: March 28, 2022 - July 2, 2022*

This first week of the field program will include project orientation and training, including Wilderness First Aid.

*This is a seasonal position with a possibility of extension to a full-time regular (benefit eligible) position should project opportunities arise.

Reports To: Project Manager

Travel: Yes, extensive regional travel required

Start Date: March 2022

Position Summary:

Develop your field leadership and conservation skills leading a group of motivated young adults on a wide range of environmental restoration field projects on public lands in Chenier Plains National Wildlife Refuge Complex (NWRC) located in the Gulf Coast region of Texas, east of Houston. This is a unique conservation leadership opportunity dedicated to leading and managing field restoration projects specifically in partnership with the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) the Gulf Coast region. ACE crews have been working in partnership with the USFWS at Chenier Plains NWRC that consists of Anahuac, McFaddin and Texas Point National Wildlife Refuges and hosts diverse landscapes of coastal marshes, wetlands, and coastal prairie- over the last couple years to address critical environmental restoration initiatives. ACE crews based in Chenier Plains NWRC conduct a variety of field projects with a focus on invasive plant management and wildland coastal forest management using chainsaws, brush cutters, gas powered augers, herbicides and specialty tools to regain control of encroaching, toxic plant populations. Additional project work may include feral hog trapping, revegetation, restoring fragmented habitat, surveying, mapping, and water quality testing.

As the Conservation Crew Leader for the dedicated ACE Chenier Plains NWRC crew, you will be responsible for leading and supervising a team of five young adults serving as AmeriCorps members on a variety of field restoration and conservation projects. As a Conservation Crew Leader, you will train and lead crew members in conservation work skills, basic environmental education, and outdoor living skills, and engage your crew in restoration work projects that address critical environmental needs. Work is almost exclusively outdoors, involves strenuous physical labor in all weather conditions and climates, and typically involves "spike" camping for several days at a time in remote and wilderness locations. On-and-off day housing will be provided for at the Anahuac NWR bunkhouse in Winnie, TX. The USFWS bunkhouse will be the permanent residence for the position and the crew for the duration of the project. The position requires extensive travel to public lands across the Gulf Region within Chenier Plains NWRC.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Lead, manage, and hold crew members accountable while serving on conservation projects:
  • Lead, train, and supervise a conservation corps team during conservation work projects, which may include: eradicating exotic/invasive plant species, restoring wildlife habitat, planting trees, conducting native plant revegetation, surveying, conducting ecological testing and monitoring, mapping and monitoring using GPS technology, wildfire restoration, and restoring forest health and reducing wildfire risk through tree thinning using powered equipment.
  • Arrange environmental education activities and opportunities and help inspire the next generation of conservation and public lands stewards.
  • Support, coach, mentor and supervise members in both technical and interpersonal professional development.
  • Hike and work outdoors -frontcountry and backcountry- in a variety of weather conditions and terrain.

• Collect, record, and submit accurate, detailed project data:
  • Accurately complete project field paperwork including weekly reports, safety sheets, incident reports, end-of-week checklists, feedback forms and others as necessary.

• Ensure personal and crew members safety while in the field, especially as it relates to running chainsaws and other dangerous power tools:
  • Arrange details of transportation, tools, equipment, camp/field/bunk living arrangements, field communication, and work project completion. Responsible for leading rig-up and de-rig before and after a project at the Chenier Plains NWRC project base. Serves as primary transport for crew to worksites and base bunkhouse during projects.
  • Maintain and repair hand and power tools and other equipment as necessary.
  • Responsible for enforcing the use of appropriate safety procedures in all tasks.
  • Manage and replace items as needed in the cook set, first aid kit, and personal protective equipment (PPE) set.
  • Safely transport crew and equipment in ACE vehicles with trailers.

• Responsible for producing high quality work and guarantee successful project outcomes:
  • Collaborate and communicate with ACE Project Managers and directly with project partners to ensure that ACE crews are prepared for weekly projects and safety complete the highest quality of work and achieve established project outcomes.

• Plan, purchase, and organize weekly food provisions for crew:
  • ACE provides food for crews (including the Crew Leader) each week on project days. Crew leaders will be responsible for purchasing food for the crew each week

• Other duties as assigned.

Required Experience and Qualifications:

• 6 months - 1 year of experience working in field conservation positions, preferably within a Conservation Corps and with a record of advancement to assistant leadership or leadership positions.
• Possess a high school diploma or GED certificate. BA/BS degree from an accredited college/university preferred.
• Experience in field work performing environmental restoration, trail construction and maintenance, and other conservation tasks. Basic skills in the maintenance and repair of chainsaws, brush cutters, herbicide sprayers and other field tools as well as mapping and monitoring data collection experience preferred.
• At least 3-6 months of experience performing habitat restoration or invasive species removal activities.
• At least 3-6 months experience applying herbicides in a professional setting and must be able and willing to pass Texas State Pesticide Applicators License Test.
• At least 3-6 months of experience safely operating chainsaws in a professional setting; S-212 Chainsaw Certified or equivalent preferred.
• Experience leading, training, and supervising teams of diverse individuals.
• Ability to drive vehicles/trucks and trailers in a variety of road conditions.
• Knowledge of environmental conservation skills, basic environmental education, and outdoor living/camping skills.
• Experience performing a wide variety of heavy manual labor for extended periods of time, often under adverse conditions and in various climates.
• Ability to lead, train and supervise a team.
• Ability and willingness to sometimes camp on a project for two to four weeks at a time.
• Working knowledge of young adult development, team-building and motivational techniques.
• Experience serving as a positive role model and mentor for team members.
• Ability to perform a wide variety of heavy manual labor for extended periods of time, and often under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
• Ability to adapt to the surrounding work environment and conditions that can change frequently.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with crew members, 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 supervisor key responsibilities.
• Must secure First aid/CPR certification within 14 days of employment and maintain certification.
• Must maintain a positive, constructive work environment conducive to team dynamics including 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
• 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.
• Must be able and willing to reside in Chenier Plains NWRC for the duration of the seasonal term during project days (including overnights during projects).

Individuals who identify with groups typically under-represented in the conservation industry, including women, non-binary individuals, LGBTQ individuals, and people of color are particularly encouraged to apply.

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 moves up to 50 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 noise.
• Travel: This position requires domestic travel.

Compensation: Starting annualized salary range of $35,568.00 (40 hours/week for 52-weeks), paid bi-weekly ($1,368.00).

Housing/Accommodations: Shared bunkhouse/dormitory housing will be provided for on-and-off-day projects at the Anahuac NWR bunkhouse in Winnie, Texas. Housing is provided in agreement with ACE and FWS housing rules and regulations. Personal vehicles will be allowed to stay at the bunkhouse off-project/personal days.

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.

Meals Provided-You will receive three meals (plus snacks)/day while on project at no cost to you.

Trainings and Certifications - Crew Leaders receive industry recognized certifications provided by ACE including:

• Wilderness First Aid (WFA) - equivalent cost of $280 and is a two-year certificate with recertification options.
• You will receive a 32-hour ACE led-Chainsaw Training based on the NWCG S-212 training with the possibility of receiving an official Forest Service Saw Certification.

To Apply: Please submit a 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.

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)!

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