Conservation Project Manager, Pacific West

American Conservation Experience (ACE) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing rewarding environmental service opportunities for youth, young adults and emerging professionals of all background to explore and help restore America's public lands while gaining practical professional conservation experience. As a national conservation corps, ACE holds an established reputation for providing exceptional training and support to allow field crews to safely implement and complete technically complex and critical conservation projects on public lands for the US Forest Service, BLM, National Park Service, Fish & Wildlife Service and numerous state and local land management partners.

Job Title: Project Manager, ACE Pacific West

Location: Ridgecrest, California and Sacramento, California

Department/Division: CREW, Pacific West

Status: Regular Full-Time, Salary (Exempt)

Schedule/Hours: Full-time. Flexible schedule with varying shifts; 40 hours/week with additional hours as needed. Some evening and weekend hours may be occasionally required.

Reports To: ACE Pacific West Senior Project Manager

Travel: Yes, moderate regional travel required.

Desired Start Date: January 7, 2022

Position Summary:

The Project Manager (PM) serves in an essential leadership role within the ACE Pacific West (PW) Crew Operations Team. The incumbent is responsible for coordinating numerous aspects of conservation field projects alongside other Operations Team and partner staff while also collaborating with PW Member Services Team staff. Project Managers with ACE have three major areas of responsibility:

1. Project preparation
2. Project implementation
3. Project reporting

The ACE's Pacific West Division operates year-round on a variety of trail, restoration and conservation field projects from the Pacific coast to the peaks of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range to the Mojave Desert and all other aspiring landscapes of the West! The Project Manager ensures ACE crews are fully prepared and equipped with the necessary project supplies, transportation, and equipment prior to departing for their projects, are responsible for overseeing quality control, safety compliance, and equipment maintenance, and perform related work as assigned.

The PM plays a crucial role in advancing ACE's core values of safety, professionalism, integrity, flexibility, quality, enthusiasm, dedication, and passion. The PM is a critical link in project communication, coordination and logistical organization for ACE crew projects in their assigned base location.

This position is located at one of ACE PW's two field base locations (Ridgecrest, CA and Sacramento, CA) and requires significant regional travel (60%) alongside office work (40%). Travel includes overnight stays in a variety of accommodations including camping.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

Project Preparation:

• Assist in or lead project planning and development for assigned projects depending on project size and complexity.
• Organize and perform field visits with PW Operations Team members and partner staff in advance of crew field work.
• Act as lead point of contact with partner staff, communicating and collaborating on a consistent basis.
• Prepare project logistics including development of project itineraries and field work descriptions.
• Coordinate and implement training of crew leaders and members during orientations and as needed for projects.
• Purchase project supplies, tools, etc. as needed following the project budget.

Project Implementation:

• Work with assigned crews during field project preparation ("rig-up") to ensure crews are prepared for field spikes.
• Perform quality control field visits and provide technical and logistical assistance as needed to ensure safety and quality control. Provide remote support as needed.
• Hold ACE field staff and members accountable to ACE's high standards. Supervise, train, and discipline Crew Leaders and members as required and appropriate.
• Maintain communications with project partners during ACE field projects. Uphold ACE's partner relationships with professionalism and courtesy.
• Oversee maintenance, accountability, and use of tools, vehicles, field-related equipment, including organization of ACE equipment and supplies that have been issued to specific projects.
• Implement field safety programs and inspections under the supervision of Senior Project Managers.
• Foster a culture and environment that positions our members for success and ensures that ACE is a program of choice for members.
• Work with assigned crews after completion of project field weeks ("de-rig") and de-brief Crew Leaders after each hitch.
• Lead crews in the absence of a Crew Leader.

Project Reporting:

• Assure accurate, timely compliance with PW project tracking records, including weekly reports, accomplishment reports, incident reports, safety sheets, end of project checklists, OSHA injury reports, etc..
• Generate and submit ACE PW Project Reports prior to established deadlines.
• Guide PW Crew Leaders in reporting including tool logs, herbicide, and GPS data.
• Arrange post-project meetings with project partners and solicit post-project feedback.
• Mentor and evaluate Crew Leaders and members as required and appropriate.
• Make recommendations to Senior Project Managers and other PW Operations Team staff concerning disciplinary measures and promotion of members and supervisors.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Experience and Qualifications:

• Ability to perform a wide variety of heavy manual labor, for extended periods of time, often under adverse weather conditions and in various climates
• Ability to prepare and maintain records and reports.
• Ability to understand and follow ACE systems and processes including key responsibilities of crew leaders
• Must maintain a positive, constructive work environment conducive to team dynamics
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with members, partner agency staff, and the general public.
• Ability to adapt to dynamic work environments and conditions that can change frequently.
• Ability to maintain a positive, constructive work environment conducive to team performance.
• Ability to analyze and resolve complex safety issues
• Ability to handle concurrent operations in a fast-paced environment.
• Willingness to travel and camp out for extended periods of time.
• Must be flexible and possess a high work ethic.
• Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions
• 3-4 years of experience working in field conservation positions, with 1-2 years serving in a leadership role, preferably within a Conservation Corps.
• Possess a high school diploma or GED certificate. BA/BS degree from an accredited college/university preferred.
• 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.
• Working knowledge of young adult development, team-building and motivational techniques.

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.

The ideal candidate will possess a unique combination of attributes, including (but not limited to) strong skills in leadership, interpersonal and technical skills, time-management, problem-solving, conflict resolution, and motivating others. The ideal candidate should have an established passion conservation land management and an interest in developing the next generation of environmental stewards and leaders.

Individuals who identify with groups typically under-represented in the conservation industry, including women, non-binary individuals, LGBTQ individuals, and people of color are particularly encouraged to apply.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.

• 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 move lbs., ability to move 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 to high noise such gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools
• Travel: This position requires domestic travel.

Compensation: 52-week annualized salary equivalent to $62,400.00 (This position is full-time, 40 hours/week)

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 optional 401K retirement plan.

Holidays, Vacation, and Sick Time:

As an ACE staff member, you will be eligible to accrue up 80 hours of paid vacation time annually during your first two years of employment, then it increases to 120 hours annually. Additionally, ACE observes 11 paid annual holidays and 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 detailing your experience and interest in this position as 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. Please note that 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.

Click Here to Learn More About American Conservation Experience (ACE)!

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