ACE - Associate Director of Operations, Eastern

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: Associate Director of Operations, Eastern Division

Location: Asheville, North Carolina

Department/Division: CREW, Eastern Division

Status: Regular Full-Time, Salaried (Exempt)

Schedule/Hours: 40 hours/week, flexible schedule (Monday-Friday); some evening and weekend hours may be occasionally required.

Reports To: Eastern Program Division Director

Direct Reports: Project Managers and Crew Leaders

Travel: Yes, regional travel required.

Schedule/Hours: Flexible Schedule (Monday - Friday)

Compensation: Full-Time, 40 hours/week within a flexible schedule. Starting annualized salary range of $45,000.00-$55,000.00, based on experience. ACE also offers a competitive benefits package that includes health, dental, vision and supplemental insurance, paid vacation, sick leave, designated holidays, and 401k retirement for qualified employees.

Travel: Less than 25%

ACE Eastern Crew Program Overview:

ACE Eastern's office opened in May of 2014 as an expansion of existing partnerships with Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. It boasts a wide reach across biologically and historically rich areas along the east coast and beyond. With close proximity to a multitude of National Parks and National Forests, as well as state and regional parks, ACE Eastern AmeriCorps conservation crews work year round to complete a variety of trail, historic preservation, and ecological restoration projects on public lands.

Position Summary:

The Associate Director of Operations is a both field and office based position responsible for supervising and managing the field operations department within the ACE Eastern Crew Division. Working closely with the Division Director to support ACE staff and members as well as ensure that all projects and programs are well managed and safely completed, the Associate Director of Operations manages five major aspects of the ACE Eastern Division including:

Managing a staff of project managers and crew leaders, supervising project implementation, administration and field document management, coordinating and assisting with technical field trainings/consultation, and reporting/compliance for federal partners.

The Associate Director of 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 Associate Director 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:

• Oversee and support the division field support staff (Project Managers, Crew Leaders)
• 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

• Assist Project Managers with training ACE staff and members for safe and professional restoration and trail projects including: herbicide handling; use and maintenance of hand and mechanized tools (chainsaws, brush-cutters, chippers, axes, hand saws, etc.)

• Oversee preparing project logistics including developing project itineraries with Project Managers and training of Crew Leaders for projects
• Assist with project rig-up and de-rig, before and after field projects
• Implement field safety programs and inspections

• Maintain and improve current programmatic and operational strategies and develop new strategies to increase the productivity of the program.
• Work closely with land management project partners to plan and schedule projects and assign Project Managers to appropriate field projects
• Work with Division Director and Project Partners on project scheduling
• Ensure that all project measurables and goals are met, including communicating and supporting project partners with project implementation
• Assure accurate, timely compliance with Division project tracking records, including weekly reports, accomplishment reports, incident reports, safety sheets, end of project checklists, OSHA injury reports, etc..
• Generate and submit 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.
• Arrange post-project meetings with project partners and solicit post-project feedback.
• Assist in grant writing and new project and program development as needed
• Foster an environment that is anti-bullying, anti-harassment and anti-discrimination

• Other duties as assigned.

Required Experience and Qualifications:

• Practical knowledge of or experience with similar corps-oriented, non-profit organizations, land-based federal agencies such as the Department of Interior or other federal or state agencies.
• Ability to perform a wide variety of heavy manual labor, for extended periods of time, often under adverse weather conditions and in various climates
• 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
• 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, fluency in social media, and professional email etiquette; Strong data management skills preferred.
• Ability to function as an efficient, effective and adaptable team member displaying professional-level proficiencies in both technical and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to perform work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Ability to adapt to surrounding work environment and conditions that can change frequently
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers and supervisors
• 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.
• 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 and in some cases may be required), CPR, and BBP certification.
• Ability to prevent, analyze and resolve safety issues; possess knowledge of safety procedures as applied to field operations and experience in encouraging and enforcing compliance with safety policies.
• Possess and maintain equipment operator skills and techniques used in conservation/environmental operations.
• 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.

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.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, carrying, 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 routine office equipment. May occasionally be 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 lifts up to 10 lbs., occasionally lifts up to 25 pounds.
• Environmental: Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
• Travel: This position requires domestic travel.

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)!

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