Southeast Coast Invasive Plant Management Team Members with American Conservation Experience in Congaree National Park, Columbia, SC

Summary: American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service, is seeking TWO Members for the Southeast Coast Invasive Plant Management Team (SEC-IPMT) to contribute to invasive plant management projects alongside the SEC-IPMT Staff. Position Description: This placement is a 36-week opportunity to be a part of a traveling team that will focus on invasive plant management at 13 parks in the Southeast Region. These include national parks in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama. The team will visit several, not all, of these parks during your term.

Start Date: August 28th-Mid September, 2022 (flexibility may be available for the right candidate)
End Date: May 2023 or 36 weeks from the start date
*a 36-week minimum commitment is required *

You will control non-native plants using both manual and chemical methods (75%), perform distribution mapping of non- native plants using GPS (10%), and assist with additional resource management field, GIS, and data management projects (15%). Because of the travel intensive nature of this placement, we are looking for adaptable applicants willing to work in an environment requiring a lot of flexibility. At times our travel plans change suddenly due to unforeseen weather or training opportunities.

Again, the team will live together while in travel status, so the ability to get along with others is vital. The housing accommodations will vary from rustic park housing to hotels, but while traveling camping will not be required. The program is interested in crewmembers with initiative, leadership ability, patience, and an intense work ethic who have a desire to expand their resumes.The crew will be manually removing exotic invasive vegetation in both urban and rural NPS sites. 

This placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promotes exposure to NPS land management and networking with professionals at various parks. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups. Members will potentially receive training on chainsaw and brushcutter use, herbicide safety and handling, truck and trailer driving, hand tool use, GIS skills, and see a variety of beautiful parks located in the Southeast.

Qualifications: 

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. 
• Be 21 or older (crewmembers will be required to operate a leased vehicle, which requires all drivers be 21+)
• 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).
• A personal vehicle (not to be used for work, just for personal use, remember at times you will have six days off at a time!)
• Willing to undergo and must pass required criminal history checks.
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Have strong back, knees, and ankles: (if you have preexisting injuries this job will exacerbate them, and endanger you -Must at times work in poison ivy infested landscapes, (if you have strong reaction to P.I., beware!)
• Must be comfortable living in tight quarters with small group of people, possibly sharing a room on your off days
• 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.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements“>please visit our website here.

Preferred Skills:

• 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.
• 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.