Senior Project Manager, Conservation Program Crew Southwest

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: Senior Project Manager

Location: Flagstaff, AZ

Department/Division: CREW, South West Arizona

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: Associate Director of Operations

Travel: Significant regional travel to project sites.

Start Date: May 2023

Position Summary:

Based in Flagstaff, Arizona, ACE's Southwest Division operates year-round on a variety of trail, restoration and environmental conservation field projects taking place on public lands throughout the Southwest from the depths of the Grand Canyon to the alpine pine forests of the Southern Rockies to the wild Saguaro forests of the Sonoran Desert and beyond! As Senior Project Manager you will ensure that ACE Project Managers and Crew Leaders are fully prepared and equipped to safely oversee crews and field projects.

The Senior Project Manager (SPM) serves in a senior leadership role within the ACE South West Arizona (SWA) Crew Operations Team and is responsible for the management of complex conservation projects throughout the South West region. Under the supervision of the Associate Director of Operations, the SPM provides leadership and direction for Project Managers while leading initiatives for the Operations Team.

The SPM has three major areas of responsibility:

1. Training and division-wide skills program development.
2. Support and oversight of Crew Leaders.
3. Support of any new Project Manager.
4. Assisting with the recruitment and development of new Crew Leaders and Project Managers.

The SPM will carry out a similar project management role as current project managers but will also provide assistance with day-to-day field operations and problem solving as they arise. These will primarily be field based issues and concerns. The ideal candidate will have the relevant experience to allow them to identify problems and proactively fix them.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

Support and Oversight of Crew Leaders:

• Support Crew Leaders as needed. Adjust level of support for Crew Leaders depending on the complexity of each project.
• Provide general mentorship, training, leadership, and other support for Crew Leaders.
• Work with Project Managers and Crew Leaders to resolve interpersonal conflicts.
• Conduct Crew Leader check-ins and performance reviews. Outline skills/leadership development goals for Crew Leaders.

Management of Operations

• Oversee Crew Leaders and project operations out of the Flagstaff base location and serve alongside Associate Director of Operations as a primary operational point of contact for ACE at that location.
• Direct line management of the SWA Crew Leaders.
• With the Associate Director of Operations and Division Director, develop capacity within the division to meet our partners' increasing needs while prioritizing projects that fit ACE's desired work schedule and outcomes. This encompasses both staff and member training.
• Collaborate with the Associate Director of Operations to schedule Leaders and Members onto projects.
• Conduct site visits with Project Managers as needed.
• Responsible for directing and planning Crew Leader orientations and training including onboarding logistics and training content.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Experience and Qualifications:

• 4-5 years of experience working in field conservation positions, with 3-4 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.
• Extensive 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. Expertise in trail skills is particularly relevant for this position.
• Current Wilderness First Aid (WFR preferred), CPR, and BBP certification.
• Ability to develop systems and processes to minimize risks and hazards and 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 skills and certifications in a wide variety of conservation/environmental operations, including advanced skills and certifications in the designated area of expertise.
• 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 multiple subordinates with competing priorities in a safe, organized and professional manner.
• Working knowledge of young adult development, team-building and motivational techniques.
• 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

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.

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 moves up to 50 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: $45,000-$50,000 starting annualized salary (40 hours/week, 52-weeks) range based on experience.

Medical/Health Benefits: ACE offers competitive medical and ancillary plans (health, mental health, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, and other supplemental benefits). ACE Staff members are also eligible to participate in ACE's 403b retirement plan, which includes a 1% employer contribution for participating, contributing staff.

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. 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.

Trainings and Certifications: Project Managers receive industry recognized certifications provided by ACE including:

• Wilderness First Aid (WFA) - equivalent cost of $280 and is a two-year certificate with recertification options.
• Depending on projects, you may receive a 32-hour Chainsaw Training based on the NWCG S-212 training with the possibility of receiving an official Forest Service Saw Certification.

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!

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