Invasive Plant Management Team Member – Carl Sandburg NHS with American Conservation Experience in Carl Sandburg NHS in Flat Rock, NC

For more information on the ACE, please visit: www.usaconservation.org

Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site preserves Connemara, the home of Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and writer Carl Sandburg. Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site (CARL) is located in Flat Rock, North Carolina about 30 minutes southeast of Asheville, NC.

Housing: ACE members will be accommodated in provided shared park-housing at no cost for the duration of the term. Park housing is located onsite at Carl Sandburg Home NHS.

AmeriCorps: This position may be eligible for a 450-hour AmeriCorps Education Award ($1,678.57) upon successful completion of service hours. Additional enrollment steps are required.

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a hiring authority upon completion of their term of service.

Carl Sandburg Home NHS has a total of 1.3 miles of riparian cove forest. A portion of this riparian habitat is sheltered by canopy comprised of 30 percent eastern hemlock, and is home to a Federally Listed Species of Concern, North Fork heartleaf (Hexastylis rhombiformis). This species is endemic to a small area south of Asheville, North Carolina, extending south to the headwaters of the Saluda River, South Carolina. Several invasive non-native species are invading this rich cove and threatening native diversity. Threatened by the impacts of these exotic species, it is likely North Fork heartleaf will be lost to changes in the immediate environment and competition with invasive plants.

The ACE Member will assist in the removal and control of invasive non-native plants to protect North Fork heartleaf habitat, inventory and monitoring of the current population of heartleaf, and updating GIS data on the heartleaf population.

The SE-IPMT is tasked with providing assistance in controlling invasive plants for 20 National Park units in seven southeastern states. Working alongside the SE-IPMT the ACE Member will be exposed to a variety of terrains to implement and document invasive plant management control methods including manual, mechanical, and chemical techniques using chainsaws, pole-saws, brush-cutters, hand tools, and manual and gas powered sprayers. Additionally, the ACE Member will also be responsible for using GPS and GIS to locate and document sites and invasive plant populations. Members may be required to operate 4WD vehicles and all-terrain vehicles. The transport of equipment typically includes an open trailer and experience pulling, hitching and backing a trailer is considered a plus.

Members will potentially receive the following training: chainsaw and brushcutter use, herbicide safety and handling, use of GPS/GIS and database programs, invasive and native plant identification, off-road and defensive driving skills, Red Cross First Aid/CPR, ATV/UTV safe operator certification.

This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups.

Required:

• Members must be US citizen or Permanent Resident, as required to comply with U.S. government contracts

• Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.
• Ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group.
• A valid driver’s license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
• Willing to undergo and must pass required criminal history checks.
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• A personal vehicle for off days and commuting around town.
• Must be physically able to hike while carrying up to 40 pounds of gear on uneven and steep terrain, on and off trail, in a variety of weather conditions. Must be able to hike up to 5 miles over steep terrain for up to 8 hours/day.
• Must be open to varying and flexible schedules. This position involves intensive travel to parks in the Southeast, with the possibility of local work only if travel restrictions are implemented.
• Must be available for overnight travel
• ACE Members must verify that they are fully vaccinated for Covid-19 or have requested and been granted a medical or religious exemption to vaccination by the time they start their term.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a minimum of a bachelor’s degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as botany, ecology, biology, wildlife, natural resources, environmental science, entomology, or a related field.
• Experience with invasive plant management or restoration or rare plant monitoring.
• Experience operating a vehicle while pulling a trailer.
• Experience identifying and managing native and non-native plants.
• Experience using GPS and GIS software
• An ability to use power equipment and 4WD vehicles.
• Deep interest in fieldwork and a respect for nature.