Operations Manager - Field Operations

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: Operations Manager - Field Operations

Location: Hurricane, Utah

Department/Division: Program, CREW (MTW)

Status: Regular Full-Time, Salaried (Exempt)

Schedule/Hours: Full-time, 40 hours/week with additional hours as needed. The schedule is typically Monday-Friday with some adjustment expected to accommodate specific projects and program needs, such as occasional evenings and weekends. This position is primarily onsite in office but some hybrid remote work may be allowed (telework).

Reports To: Division Director

Start Date: Open until filled

Position Summary:

ACE's Mountain West Crew program operates year-round completing diverse conservation field projects on public lands throughout the Mountain West Region of the US! Based in Hurricane, Utah at the "gateway to Zion National Park," ACE Mountain West field projects include fuels reduction and thinning, invasive species treatment, native plant restoration, trail construction and more and range in location throughout southern Utah and all of Mountain West region of the U.S., from the red rock hoodoos of Bryce Canyon and Arches to the mountain peaks of the Wasatch Range to the heart of the Great Basin desert and beyond!

The ACE Operations Manager - Field Operations is an office and field based position is responsible for supervising and managing the field operations department within the ACE Mountain West Division. Working closely with the Division Director and the Operations Manager- Member Experience and Outreach to support ACE staff and members to ensure that all projects are well managed and safely completed, the Operations Manager - Field Operations manages and oversees three major aspects of the ACE Mountain West Division including:

• Managing, supervising and training Project Managers and Crew Leaders
• Planning and scheduling projects including project partner interaction, coordinating with logistics management and administration of pre-and-post field project documentation
• Oversee the Division's field skills training program; Responsible for managing and assisting with professional development and technical field trainings for staff and members including coordinating with ACE Solutions field trainers to meet training needs in the field.

The Operations Manager -Field Operations is responsible for leading and managing key field operations for the ACE Mountain West (MTW) crew division as well as overseeing the work of Project Managers and coordinating with the division's Logistics Manager. Working closely with the Division Director, the Operations Manager -Field Operations will lead the Operations Team to develop and oversee Crew Leader training, plan and schedule projects and ensure that project management objectives and needs are fulfilled.

The Operations Manager -Field Operations will frequently interact with ACE's staff, members, project partners and the general public and as such is expected to maintain a professional demeanor, positive attitude, and willingness to act as an ambassador of ACE's program at all times. The Operations Manager - Field Operations will need to be flexible, adaptable, and enthusiastic while working in both fast-paced office and field based environments. Leadership and forward-thinking are important assets in this position as the Division continues to evolve.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Manage the division's Project Managers, and Crew Leaders and coordinate with Division Logistics and Member Experience Teams.
• Interact with partner/program staff and members as frequently as possible to ensure communication between members, ACE staff and project partners.
• Conduct pre-project site visits as well as conduct ongoing field visits as needed and provide support on a variety of field projects to ensure safety and quality control while holding ACE field staff and members to ACE's high standards at all times.
• Train and support ACE staff to coordinate and conduct ACE field trainings and ensure technical trainings are delivered to every new member.

• Oversee Division field skills training. Work closely with ACE Solutions trainers and Division Project Managers to ensure quality training of ACE staff and members for safe and professional restoration, forestry and trail projects including: herbicide handling; use and maintenance of hand and mechanized tools (chainsaws, brush-cutters, chippers, axes, hand saws, etc.)

• Coordinate with the Logistics Manager to ensure preparation of project logistics including overseeing Project Managers with developing project itineraries and training of Crew Leaders for projects.
• Assist with project rig-up and de-rig, as needed before and after field projects.
• Lead efforts to develop, execute and evaluate Safety and Emergency Management plans and operations in coordination with ACE Risk Management Director.

• Maintain and improve current programmatic and operational strategies and develop new strategies to increase the productivity of the program.
• Work closely with Division Director and project partners to plan and schedule projects and assign Project Managers to appropriate field projects.
• Collaborate with the Director and Logistics Manager to develop Crew Member, Vehicle and Staff Schedules.
• Ensure that all project measurables and goals are met, including communicating and supporting Project Managers and Crew Leaders with project implementation and reporting.
• Assist Project Managers with generating and submitting ACE Crew Project Reports to project partners prior to established deadlines.
• Guide Crew Leaders and Project Managers in reporting including tool logs, herbicide, and GPS data.
• Track executed agreements, project hours and deliverables work with Director and invoicing team to prepare invoices and accompanying documentation to be sent to partners by invoicing team.
• Track progress of project requirements, agreements and financial information, and ensure projects and necessary documentation are completed on time and on budget.
• Manage the Field Operations department's budget including reviewing and approving direct/indirect expenditures.
• Bi-weekly collect and manage field projects hours, measurables and other data for input into proprietary database systems and other software for regular and annual reporting, including payroll needs.
• Ensure that Project Managers and Logistics Team have the tools and supplies needed to execute and implement projects.
• Plan and facilitate hiring and training of field Crew Leaders.
• Arrange post-project meetings with project partners and collect post-project feedback.
• Assist the Division Director in grant editing/writing in collaboration with the Administrative Operations Manager to fulfill the branch's needs as needed.
• Foster an environment that is anti-bullying, anti-harassment and anti-discrimination.

• Perform other duties and related functions as needed or assigned by the Division Director.

Required Experience and Qualifications:

• Possess a high school diploma or GED certificate. BA/BS degree from an accredited college/university preferred.
• Willingness and ability to communicate and coordinate internally within ACE and with external stakeholders and partners.
• Willingness to travel to field sites and work occasional weekends.
• Ability to perform a wide variety of heavy manual labor, for extended periods of time, often under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
• Strong skills in interpersonal communication, public speaking, organization, management, conflict resolution and motivating others.
• Outstanding organizational and time management skills with the ability to maintain and effectively support a complex array of projects.
• Computer skills required including intermediate knowledge of Excel, Google Suites, and professional email etiquette; Strong data management skills preferred.
• Ability to perform work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Ability to adapt to the surrounding work environment and conditions that can change frequently.
• Ability to handle concurrent operations in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to maintain a positive, constructive work environment conducive to team performance.
• 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.
• Proven ability to work independently and be a positive, contributing member of a group.
• Practical knowledge and understanding or experience with corps-oriented, non-profit organizations, land-based federal agencies such as the Department of Interior or other federal or state agencies.
• Considerable experience and demonstrable knowledge of methods, materials, tools, and techniques used in a wide variety of conservation field work including environmental restoration, trail construction and maintenance, and other conservation tasks.
• Current Wilderness First Aid (WFR preferred), CPR, and BBP certification.
• Ability to analyze and resolve complex safety issues
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with members, staff, and partner agency staff
• Knowledge of laws, regulations, rules, and policies governing field operations in environmentally sensitive areas.
• Strong organizational and communication skills and experience leading, training and motivating diverse groups of young adults in a safe, organized and professional manner.
• Experience with or knowledge of working with AmeriCorps in either an AmeriCorps member or staff capacity are also preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to carry out work tasks independently as well as in a supervisory role.

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 reserved the right to drug test at any time

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.
• 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 15 lbs., ability to move up to 30 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; Outdoor environment may include Moderate to high noise such gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools
• Travel: This position will require frequent domestic regional travel.

Compensation: Starting annualized salary range of $43,000-$48,000, depending on experience.

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). 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 Year's 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 American Conservation Experience (ACE)!

Current Openings for Operations Manager Field Operations Jobs at American Conservation Experience - Staff