Conservation Field Crew Leader

Build your career in conservation and leadership while earning competitive pay and benefits as a Crew Leader with American Conservation Experience (ACE). 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 young adult crews to safely and economically implement technically complex and physically demanding conservation projects for the US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, US Fish & Wildlife Service and numerous state and local land management partners.

Job Title: Conservation Crew Leader

Location: Opportunities are available nationwide, based out of any of our divisional locations. Divisions are located in Asheville NC, Flagstaff AZ, Hurricane UT, Sacramento CA, and Ridgecrest CA.

Department/Division: Crew

Status: Regular Full-Time, Salaried (Exempt) or Hourly (Non-Exempt), depending on your state of employment.

Reports To: Project Manager

Schedule/Hours: Full-time. Flexible Schedule with varying shifts; 40 hours/week with additional hours as needed. Typical schedules are either four, 10-hour days/3 days off or eight, 10 hour-days/6 days off.

Travel: Yes, extensive regional travel required.

Start Date: Open Until Filled

Position Summary:

Develop your field leadership and conservation skills leading a group of motivated young professionals (typically undergraduates or recent graduates) on a wide range of natural resource management projects across our nation's public lands. ACE's Crew divisions serve in some of the most beautiful landscapes on earth, from the coastal forests of California, to the red rock deserts of Utah, the mountains and canyons of Arizona, to the ancient forests of Appalachia.

As the primary field staff of the ACE's Crew Program, Crew Leaders lead diverse teams of young adults in completion of environmental conservation and restoration projects. As a Crew Leader, you will train and lead crew members in conservation work skills, basic environmental education, and outdoor living skills, while engaging in environmental work projects that address critical conservation 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 wilderness locations. The position requires extensive travel to project locations, and may involve working for other ACE offices/locations for temporary periods. ACE vehicles are provided for all work-related travel.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead, manage, and ensure accountability while serving on conservation projects.
• Collect, record, and submit accurate, detailed project data.
• Ensure personal and corpsmembers safety while in the field. This includes physical and emotional safety when completing complex projects while working and living in a team based environment.
• Responsible for producing high quality work and guaranteeing successful project outcomes.

Required Experience and Qualifications:

• 6 months - 1 year of experience working in field conservation positions, preferably within a Conservation Corps with a record of advancement to assistant leadership or leadership positions.
• BA/BS degree from an accredited college/university preferred, but equivalent field and work experience can be a suitable substitute.
• Experience in field work performing environmental restoration, trail construction and maintenance, and other conservation tasks.
• Experience leading, training, and supervising teams of diverse individuals.
• Ability to drive vehicles/trucks and trailers in a variety of road conditions. Must have an insurable driving record.
• Knowledge of environmental conservation skills, leave no trace ethics, 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.

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.

For a complete list of requirements, preferred experience, and information on the physical demands, work environment and working conditions, please see the full position listing on ACE's website.

Compensation & Benefits:

Pay: Annualized $35,568 salary (assuming 40 hours/week 52 weeks/year), depending on experience. Crew Leaders based in California will receive an hourly rate of $16.50-$18.00 plus overtime if applicable.

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 an ACE 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). ACE provides 10 days (or 80 hours) of paid sick time annually.

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 100's of established outdoor gear brands.

Meals Provided: You will receive three meals (plus snacks) each 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.
• Depending on projects, you may receive a 32-hour Chainsaw Training based on the NWCG S-212 training with the possibility of receiving an official Forest Service Saw Certification.

Housing: Subsidized shared dormitory housing may be available during off-project days (ACE employed individuals only).

To Apply: Please submit a resume, one-page cover letter and contact for three professional/academic references to your regional location of choice:

Flagstaff, Arizona

Hurricane, Utah

Asheville, North Carolina

Sacramento or Ridgecrest, California

If you are interested in more than one location, it's recommended you apply to each.

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.

ACE values an inclusive workforce - if you meet at least 70 percent of the qualifications, we want to hear from you!

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!

Current Openings for Conservation Field Crew Leader Jobs at American Conservation Experience - Staff