National Forestry Specialist, ACE Solutions

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: National Forestry Specialist

Location: Flexible. Preferred location is in an ACE Crew office/bases. Field projects taking place on public lands throughout the country.

Department/Division: ACE Crew Solutions

Status: Regular Full-Time, Salaried (Exempt)

Reports To: Chief Program Officer

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: 30-40% of time

Start Date: Open Until Filled

Position Summary:

The National Forestry Specialist is part of the ACE Solutions team and is responsible for the support and facilitation of forestry operations across all national programs to optimize safe, efficient, effective, and timely processes to meet partner, program, staff, legal, and administrative needs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Guides and holds Division Directors, Project Managers, Crew Leaders, Interns and Crew Members accountable to ACE's quality, productivity, and safety standards (Subject Matter Expert)
• Provides support and training to ACE Divisional Programs
• Collaborate with ACE Division Directors to identify and develop partnership relationships
• Interpret industry standards for ACE and its community relating to forestry management
• Formalizes, implements and supports ACE Forestry training documents, programs, and resources
• Ensures field operations compliance (safety and legal) as it relates to forestry and chainsaw projects
• Coordinates with division and national directors, project managers, crew leaders, interns, crew members, and administrative professionals to provide vision, direction and perspective for training,, education, consultation, and project development
• Maintains technical and multi-disciplinary competence to keep abreast of emerging forestry topics, trends, and issues in order to identify mission-relevant programmatic responses
• Initiates and facilitates networks, liaisons, and collaborations among partners and stakeholders both within and outside ACE
• Serves as a staff subject matter expert and consultant in the disciplinary area(s) of, but not limited to, forest restoration, hazard tree mitigation, firewise standards, prescribed fire operations, chainsaws, crosscuts, brushcutter, hedge trimmers, and chippers. Collaborates with programs, agencies, and landowners by assisting engaged partners, project planning, prioritizing activities, anticipating problems, removing barriers or obstacles, and coordinating resources
• 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 brings the right people together at appropriate times to strategize and create plans of action that empower staff to lead and support restorative efforts
• Utilize existing data, and identify potential new data and reporting tools, to analyze effectiveness and efficiency. Assist and empower others in using this data as a tool for gauging outcomes and implementing pathways for improvement

Required Experience and Qualifications:

• 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
• 3-years or more experience working directly with federal, state, or local land management agencies and/or nonprofit and/or private landowners
• 2-years or more experience in managing forestry program/operation elements, especially facilitating processes within a nonprofit organization
• Currently holds or can quickly obtain a USDA Forest Service C Faller Certification - Chainsaw and Crosscut
• Experience with risk management and implementing field safety protocols is critical for this role. An active Wilderness First Aid (WFR) certification is preferred, or the willingness and ability to obtain one within 3 months of employment
• Must be able to take initiative, work independently and unsupervised, and facilitate and participate in collaborative efforts
• Project management experience, overseeing multiple projects and working with teams in different locations
• Experience, knowledge and understanding of young adult development, team-building and motivational techniques specifically related to field-based trainings and education
• Strength in managing and supporting staff who are not direct reports
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work remotely and independently with 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 and home locations; including camping accommodations in remote settings
• 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
• 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/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: Starting annualized salary range of $65,000 to $70,000 (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.

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 ACE on our WEBSITE or check out our INSTAGRAM!

Current Openings for National Forestry Specialist, ACE Solutions Jobs at American Conservation Experience - Staff