ACE Division Director, EPIC BLM/US Forest Service

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's Emerging Professionals in Conservation (EPIC) 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. EPIC operates in coalition with partners such as the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Forest Service, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and other conservation focused groups.

ACE is currently seeking qualified and interested applicants for the leadership role of Division Director of ACE EPIC Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and US Forest Service (USFS) partnership programs.

Job Title: ACE EPIC Division Director, BLM/USFS

Location: ACE has offices in Salt Lake City, Utah; Sacramento, CA; Ridgecrest, CA; Hurricane, UT; Flagstaff, AZ and Asheville, NC; this position can be remote, but an ideal candidate will reside near an existing ACE office in the Western US

Department/Division: EPIC (Bureau of Land Management and US Forest Service)

Status: Regular Full-Time, Salaried (Exempt)

Schedule/Hours: Flexible schedule with varying shifts; 40 hours/week with additional hours as needed

Reports To: Chief Program Officer

Travel: Yes, significant regional travel required to various project partner locations

Compensation: Competitive pay with a benefits package that includes health, dental, vision and supplemental insurance, paid vacation, sick leave, designated holidays, and 401k retirement for qualified employees

Position Summary: Under general supervision of the Chief Program Officer, the Division Director is responsible for soliciting and coordinating conservation and environmental restoration projects with federal, state and other non-profit partners; developing and managing program budgets; overseeing the recruitment of the division's members; and hiring and supervising program staff members. The Division Director will demonstrate a deep commitment to ACE's unique mission that leverages public service for youth career development and volunteerism.

The Emerging Professionals in Conservation (EPIC) program places individual members and small teams with land management agencies and organizations in professional paid internships ranging from three to twelve months. These internships are intended to provide a pathway to employment in specific fields, ranging from hydrology, trails, restoration, rangeland management, wildlife, geology, education/interpretation, and more, with position descriptions directly paralleling agency mission and values. This Division Director position will oversee a program with over 80 partnership agreements between the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and US Forest Service (USFS), as well as a number of Bureau of Reclamation and non-federal partnerships. These agreements provide work for approximately 150 members annually across six USFS Regions, over 30 BLM State, district and field offices, various Bureau of Reclamation posts, and more. A strong candidate for the Division Director role will have an intimate understanding of agency nuances, hiring practices, state, regional and national composition and overall mission and values that impact on-the-ground work.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Lead, manage and hold accountable the ACE EPIC BLM/Forest Service Division team, consistent with the ACE vision, strategy, goals and standards
• Develops program strategy, plans, goals and targets in collaboration with ACE Executive Management Team
• Administer and ensure compliance with grants and partner agreements
• Solicits, plans, schedules, develops, coordinates and tracks conservation/environmental restoration projects; maintains professional communications and relations with agency project partners
• Negotiates cooperative agreement partnerships as well as contracts for work projects and assures compliance
• Seeks opportunities to develop new partnerships through grant writing and funding opportunities (Grants are required for BLM projects);
• Oversees the recruitment of program staff and members
• Develops and monitors program budget
• Oversees budgeting and purchase of requested equipment/travel for agreements including, but not limited to, transportation, per diems, training fees, and lodging.
• Oversees management of tools, vehicle and equipment inventories
• Oversees preparation and maintenance of records and reports
• Assists in the development and implementation of policies and procedures for staff
• Assists in the development and implementation of safety protocols and procedures for the Division
• Oversees timely invoicing of projects
• Oversees preparation of payroll
• Oversees OSHA compliance, including appropriate record keeping
• Adhere to ACE safety policies and procedures; Reports any unsafe or harmful conditions, incidents and/or accidents immediately.
• Foster a culture and environment that positions ACE for success and ensures that ACE is the program of choice for partners, members and staff.
• Responsibilities and tasks outlined are not exhaustive and may change as determined by ACE.

Experience and Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent in nonprofit management, conservation management and/or education, resource management, or related field, and five years of experience working with conservation organizations, including three years of supervisory experience; OR any combination of education, training, and experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position at the discretion of the Chief Program Officer.
• Experience working with or within the BLM, USFS, and/or USBR. Experience as a partner or managing partnership agreements preferred.
• Ability to work remotely and independently with minimal supervision
• Ability to manage and train remote staff, when needed
• Experience learning new systems quickly, with the ability to train others on their use
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodations
• Proficient in English
• Knowledge of the methods, materials, tools, and techniques used in conservation/environmental restoration operations
• Understanding of the laws, regulations, rules, and policies governing field operations and program management
• Knowledge of Federal Uniform Guidance for grants and agreements
• Understand the principles of young adult development
• Knowledge of principles and techniques of effective supervision and leadership
• Ability to plan, supervise, schedule, oversee, and evaluate multiple, concurrent field operations
• Ability to analyze and resolve complex customer service and safety issues
• 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 including supervisor key responsibilities
• Proven ability to professionally manage confidential material
• Proven ability to track details and organize
• Ability and motivation to perform multiple and variable tasks concurrently
• Professional verbal and written communication skills
• Strong time management skills
• Proven ability to work independently and be a positive, contributing member of a group
• Computer competency with experience using a variety of software and database systems, preferably Microsoft Office Suite and the entire Google platform
• Ability to plan, supervise, schedule, oversee, and evaluate multiple, concurrent field operations
• Ability to adapt to surrounding work environment with conditions that can change frequently
• Must be authorized to work in the U.S.
• Valid driver's license and an insurable driving record; comfortable driving ACE/agency vehicles as needed
• Ability to pass a federal criminal background check
• Willing to abide by ACE's Drug Free workplace policies. ACE reserves 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. 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 lifts up to 25 lbs., ability to lift up to 60 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.
• Travel: This position requires domestic travel up to 50%.

To Apply:

Please navigate to the ACE Job Board: https://usaconservationstaff.applicantpool.com/jobs/ to fill out an application. You must include a resume, one-page cover letter and three professional references. 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.

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.

Current Openings for ACE Division Director, EPIC BLM/US Forest Service Jobs in st-george, Utah (UT) at American Conservation Experience - Staff