Forestry Technician

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 young adult 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: Forestry Technician

Location: This position will be based out of one of ACE's Western regional offices. Options include Hurricane, UT, Flagstaff, AZ, Ridgecrest, CA, or Sacramento, CA. This position is onsite/hybrid; While primarily based out of one of ACE's Western regional offices, field support projects and some trainings will take place on public lands.

Department/Division: ACE Crew Solutions

Status: Regular Full-Time, Salaried (Exempt)

Reports To: National Crew Director

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

Travel: 40-50% of time (supporting ACE crew projects and field trainings)

Start Date: Open Until Filled

Position Summary:

The Forestry Technician is part of the ACE Solutions team responsible for the support of forestry operations across all national programs with a focus on training of Crew Division staff on chainsaw use and maintenance.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Guides and holds ACE staff and members (Division Directors, Project Managers, Crew Leaders, Interns and Crew Members) accountable to ACE's quality, productivity, and safety standards.
• Provides ongoing support and training to ACE Divisional Programs for forestry projects and initiatives.
• Collaborates and consults with ACE Division Directors to identify and develop forestry-focused. partnership relationships.
• Maintain necessary safety and legal compliance with ACE trainings, processes and project management.
• Develop and maintain effective tools and processes, serving as a staff subject matter expert and consultant in the disciplinary area(s) of, but not limited to, hazard tree mitigation, chainsaws, crosscuts, brushcutter, hedge trimmers, and chippers.

• Assists in the development and management of appropriate user-interfaces to disseminate appropriate operating procedures, best practices, and other supportive resources for program staff.
• Ensures consistent procedures and policies are being executed across divisions as appropriate to program needs. Provides trainings to support these processes, especially with incoming staff.
• Provides and/or connects program staff to necessary trainings and resources to effectively maximize the utilization of the tools used to administer their programs.
• Continually identify operational improvement needs and bring the right people together at appropriate times to strategize and create plans of action that empower staff to lead and support restorative efforts.

Required Experience and Qualifications:

• Possess a high school diploma or GED certificate. BA/BS degree from an accredited college/university preferred.
• 5-years or more of forestry-specific field experience.
• 5-years or more of chainsaw use in hazardous fuels reduction and hazard tree mitigation setting utilizing a nationally recognized chainsaw training for safe operation.
• 5-years or more of prescribed fire and wildland fire management and utilizing the resources to implement the industry standards within ACE's budding fire program.
• 2-years or more experience in managing forestry program/operation elements, especially facilitating processes within a nonprofit organization.
• Currently holds or willing and able to quickly obtain a USDA Forest Service C Faller Certification - Chainsaw and Crosscut.
• Currently holds or willing and able to quickly obtain a Wilderness First Aid (WFA) certification.
• Must be able to take initiative, work independently and unsupervised, and facilitate and participate in collaborative efforts.
• Understanding of and experience working with young adults in national service settings.
• Strength in managing and supporting staff who are not direct reports.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work remotely and independently with limited to no supervision.
• Highly competent in using a variety of software and database systems.
• Willingness to travel long distances, spend multiple weeks, or more, away from work location including camping accommodations in remote settings.
• Basic comfort level with public speaking.
• Ability to function as an efficient, effective and adaptable team member displaying professional-level proficiencies in both technical and interpersonal skills.
• Commitment to ACE's mission of public service through youth development and volunteerism.
• 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.
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.

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/hiking, carrying, having full function of arms and legs. There is frequent travel to field sites via four wheel drive vehicles, fixed wing aircraft, and/or boats. 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 25 lbs., occasionally moves up to 75 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Indoor air quality is good and the temperature is controlled. Field sites involve exposure to adverse weather, i.e., rain, snow, wind, cold and/or heat, with outdoor Air Quality Index numbers occasionally and possibly exceeding 200.
• Noise Environment: Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic. At field sites, may involve loud equipment like chainsaws, brushcutters, augers, and gas- powered pumps
• Travel: This position requires domestic travel.

Compensation: Annualized salary of $50,000 - $64,480.00 (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 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.

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 100's 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 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.

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 Forestry Technician Jobs at American Conservation Experience - Staff