Senior Project Manager, CREW Mountain West

Job Title: Senior Project Manager

Location: Hurricane, Utah (St. George Area)

Department/Division: CREW, Mountain West

Status: Regular Full-Time (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: Operations Manager

Travel: 10-20%; Regional/local travel

Start Date: September 19, 2022

Organization Summary:

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.

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 Senior Project Manager (SPM) serves in a senior leadership role within the ACE Mountain West (MTW) Crew Operations Team and is responsible for managing complex conservation projects throughout the Mountain West region, primarily in the states of Utah, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Wyoming, Washington, North Dakota and South Dakota. Under the supervision of the Operations Manager - Partner Experience and Field Operations, the SPM additionally provides leadership and direction for Project Managers while leading initiatives for the Operations Team with the Operations Manager. Based out of Mountain West's Hurricane, UT Crew Base, the SPM has four major areas of responsibility:

1. Managing complex conservation projects
2. Training and division-wide skills program development
3. Supervision and oversight of Project Managers (PMs)

The SPM supports the Operations Manager while supervising Project Managers and while collaborating with Member Resources Team staff. The role has direct responsibility for deliverables, timelines, and budget development and oversight of projects and programs. The SPM will also support division development efforts that help forward strategic objectives and outcomes.

This position, while tied to the ACE MTW Crew Base location in Hurricane, UT also requires significant regional travel (60%) alongside office and warehouse work (40%). Travel includes overnight stays in a variety of accommodations including camping.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

Training and Division-Wide Skills Program Development:

• Serve as the MTW Division's head trainer and technical lead in one or all designated areas of expertise (forestry/chainsaw, trails, or restoration/herbicide) -some areas may be delegated as necessary.
• Develop and implement a division-wide training program in all designated areas of expertise.
• Collaborate with ACE Solutions staff to develop skills, obtain certifications, plan and implement trainings, ensure MTW Division meets ACE and other standards, and otherwise develop support for the MTW Division in the designated area of expertise.
• Outline skills and leadership development goals for Project Managers.
• In tandem with the ACE Solutions team, provide support as needed for MTW Division-based projects in the designated area of expertise.
• Oversee and manage assets related to the designated area of expertise for MTW branches. Work with the Associate Director and Division Director to develop relevant aspects of the MTW budget.
• Provide training for Project Managers, Crew Leaders, and members as needed.

Supervision and Oversight of Project Managers:

• Supervise Project Managers. Adjust level of support for Project Managers depending on the complexity of each project.
• Provide general mentorship, training, leadership, discipline, and other support for Project Managers.
• Work with Project Managers and Crew Leaders to resolve interpersonal conflict and to mediate interpersonal conflict between partner staff and ACE staff.
• Conduct Project Manager check-ins and performance reviews. Outline skills/leadership development goals for Project Managers.
• Ensure Project Manager reporting is completed on time, is accurate, and is to a high standard.

Management of Operations:

• Oversee all Project Managers and assist with managing project operations out of the MTW Crew Base location.
• With the Operations Managers and Division Director, develop capacity to meet our partners increasing needs while prioritizing projects that fit ACE's desired work schedule and outcomes.
• Collaborate with the Operations Manager to schedule projects.
• Conduct site visits with Project Managers as needed.
• Responsible for directing Crew Leaders and Project Managers in conducting new member orientations and trainings including onboarding logistics and training content.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Experience and Qualifications:

• 5-6 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.
• Current Wilderness First Responder (EMT/WEM 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:

• 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 25 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: Starting annualized salary range of $39,624.00 (40 hours/week for 52-weeks), paid bi-weekly ($1,981.20).

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.

Meals Provided - You will receive three meals (plus snacks)/day while on project at no cost to you.

Trainings and Certifications - Crew Leaders 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.

For specific questions not answered above, please contact: Kody Crawford, Operations Manager at kcrawford@usaconservation.org

Current Openings for Senior Project Manager, CREW Mountain West Jobs in st-george, Utah (UT) at American Conservation Experience - Staff