Easement Monitoring Technician, Private Lands -NRCS 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 an emerging labor force to help restore America's public lands. ACE program has a national reputation for providing young adults and recent graduates with hands-on, professional development individual placement opportunities to work alongside and under the guidance of agency mentors as they apply their knowledge of resource management on their path to becoming the next generation of resource and land managers.

Job Title: Easement Monitoring Technician

Location: Remote Option available as well as ACE Crew office/bases. Location near a major airport is preferred.

Department/Division: ACE Private Lands + NRCS Division

Status: Temporary, Full-Time, Salaried (Exempt)

Start Date: February 2023

Term: This position is funded through September 2023

Reports To: Associate Director -Easement Programs

Schedule/Hours: Full-time, 40 hours/week (Monday - Friday, flexible) with some adjustment expected to accommodate specific projects and program needs, such as occasional evenings and weekends.

Travel: Occasional; nationally to project sites (up to 25%)

Position Summary: American Conservation Experience (ACE), a non-profit Conservation Corps, is seeking an experienced Easement Monitoring Technician to support the implementation of conservation easement monitoring and reporting on Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) easements nationwide.

This opportunity is intended for professionals with a background in natural resource management, conservation, environmental law, remote sensing, botany, ecology, planning, landscape architecture, or a related field - with an interest in jointly advancing their career and the stewardship of private lands conservation through purposeful fieldwork, programmatic support, and hands-on training and experience with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

NRCS manages the voluntary Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) and the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program Wetland Reserve Easements (ACEP-WRE) programs to conserve, protect and enhance the nation's wetland ecosystems. These programs promote restoration, enhancement, protection and management of wetlands and their associated upland habitats on private lands. Annual compliance monitoring is required to ensure that easements are in compliance with the program as a whole as well as their specific conservation easement deeds.

Since 2018, ACE has supported NRCS by carrying out a subset of onsite monitoring visits within a state, with the goal of visiting each state to document the trends of the program across the country. We carry out the onsite easement monitoring by reviewing easement case files, assessing easement condition onsite as it relates to easement restrictions and planned conservation practices, and develop clear and informative reports to aid in the management decisions made by NRCS. We complete monitoring using both onsite and offsite techniques. We work closely with local, state and national level NRCS staff; technical restoration experts; engineers and lead field staff to provide efficient and high-level field work, case file review, data collection, and reporting. During the remainder of the agreement with NRCS, ACE is expecting 6-7 weeks of travel to carry out onsite monitoring (typically, one week of travel per month).

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The Easement Monitoring Technician will assist in key deliverables and outcomes of ACE's Private Lands/NRCS Division by conducting onsite compliance monitoring; documenting observations related to management activities, vegetation, hydrology, restoration practices, invasive and noxious species; and drafting deliverables including field reports, maps and photo documentation. Specific responsibilities:

• Serve as lead monitor in offsite monitoring efforts on NRCS wetland easements by: carrying out review of aerial photography from various sources, producing high-quality deliverables, coordinating with sub-contractors tasked with monitoring, tracking progress, and providing regular updates to ACE Associate Director and project partners.
• Conduct background research and reference document development in preparation for onsite monitoring in various states.
• Travel on assignment to various states to conduct onsite field work on private conservation lands enrolled in NRCS easement programs:
  • Comprehensively review technical documents, property deeds and authorized uses for each field site, and appropriately interpret findings with observations in the field.
  • Collect field data per established protocols and tools; report findings and observations through existing templates and platforms in a timely way.
  • Work collaboratively with partners (federal and state NRCS staff, consultants, scientists, engineers, landowners) and maintain strong professional relationships.
  • Assist in other compliance, restoration, monitoring and project implementation projects as requested.
• Uses ArcGIS products to create maps and develop and maintain geodatabases.
• Create high quality deliverables including, but not limited to, field reports, photo collections, maps, and geodatabases.
• Assist ACE Associate Director in the development and maintenance of process documentation and standard operating procedures for tasks related to monitoring and additional easement projects.
• Maintain detailed records of travel expenses and logistics; report in a timely manner.
• Provide specialized assistance to the NRCS and/or consulting partners in data processing and report writing, as assigned.
• Other tasks as assigned.

Required Experience and Qualifications:

• Applicants should have at least an undergraduate degree in environmental science/studies, natural resource management, biology, environmental planning, environmental policy, range science, wildlife biology, conservation biology, engineering, or a related field. Alternatively, applicants who can demonstrate at least two years of comparable work experiences for the duties and responsibilities of this position may be accepted. The applicant must document these work experiences in their application (attached resume/cover letter)/
• Genuine interest and/or knowledge in ecological restoration and land resource management.
• Plant identification skills that can apply to multiple habitats and regions.
• Experience carrying out field work in strenuous environments.
• Proficient research, analytical, organization and writing skills.
• Strong time management skills; ability to manage simultaneous tasks and meet project deadlines.
• Self-motivated and able to carry out repetitive tasks.
• Able to independently carry out tasks, report on progress, and identify what additional resources or information is needed
• Flexible and adaptable; comfortable adjusting work plans according to changing circumstances.
• Experience creating process documentation and SOP's.
• Comfortable communicating directly with resource professionals, landowners, consultants, contractors and federal agency staff.
• Knowledge and experience with ArcGIS software and ESRI mobile data collection.
• Proven ability to work independently and be a positive, contributing member of a group.
• Strong computer management skills including experience with online personnel databases and email, Google Docs, Excel, and MS Office.
• Ability to work independently in remote outdoor areas; able to hike and walk for extended periods of time, and be capable of moving/lifting up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• Ability to prepare and maintain records and reports.
• Ability to understand and follow ACE systems and processes.
• 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, 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 office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Ability to perform a wide variety of manual labor, for extended periods of time.
• 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 20 lbs., occasionally moves up to 50 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 such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
• Travel: This position requires domestic travel throughout the country for up to a week at a time. Total travel time is estimated to compose 25% of the annual workload.

Compensation: Starting annualized salary of $52,000.00 (assuming 40 hours/week for 52-weeks)

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. ACE observes 13 paid annual holidays (floating holiday flexibility). 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 Reimbursement Option: You have the option for monthly phone reimbursement for personal device/number use for this position.

Remote Flexibility: True working flexibility from wherever you are within the continental United States of America. This position can work from home, one of our regional offices, or a combination of both.

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.

Deadline to apply: Position open until filled. Interviews will begin January 16, 2023. Target start date: February 2023.

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 Easement Monitoring Technician, Private Lands NRCS Division Jobs at American Conservation Experience - Staff