Trails Member – Saguaro National Park with American Conservation Experience in Tucson, AZ

Summary: American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Saguaro National Park is seeking Two Members to contribute to Trails Projects alongside NPS Staff. One member will be focused in the high country on a backcountry crew and one member will be focused on a front-country crew project. 

For more information about ACE, please visit:http://www.usaconservation.org“> www.usaconservation.org.

Start Date: January 28, 2024
End Date: April 6, 2024
*a 10-week minimum commitment is required*

Location Details/Description: Saguaro National Park, Tucson, AZ

The Maintenance Headquarters are on the East side of the park, Rincon Mountain District (3693 S Old Spanish Trail) but potential to work on the West Side (Tucson Mountain District) of the park depending on the work projects.

Saguaro National Park is located outside of the city of Tucson, AZ. The park is host to camping, hiking, and backpacking trails for every level of adventurer. The park protects its namesake, our nation’s largest species of cacti, the giant saguaro. Summers in the Sonoran Desert can be extremely hot with temperatures exceeding 110 degrees and evening lows averaging 72 degrees. Winters present comfortable daytime temperatures in the 60s with cooler nighttime temperatures averaging 40 degrees. Access to all major amenities can be found in the town of Tucson which is a quick 20-minute drive from the park.

For more information about Saguaro National Park, please visithttps://www.nps.gov/sagu/index.htm“> https://www.nps.gov/sagu/index.htm.

Position Overview:
One member will be focused in the high country on a backcountry crew (with camping) and one member will be focused on a front-country crew project (without camping).

The ACE Member will serve their season working on trails either in the high country or front country of the desert southwest. The service requires very strenuous effort in moving heavy materials to and around the job site. The Member must be able to hike steep trails in all weather conditions transporting tools and personal gear and work in difficult terrain. Members routinely move items over 50 pounds.

The ACE Member will assist with rehabilitating and maintaining the following trail related structures: log cribbing and steps, water bars and culverts, stone retaining walls, and stone steps and other tread structures. Tread improvement, out sloping, berm busting and rock removal will be common. Team members will likely assist in cutting and shaping stone. Tools will include a wide variety of hand and power tools such as various hammers, shovels, stone tools, rock bars, digging tools, and power shop tools such as cut-off saws, grinders, and drill presses. May use powered tracked material haulers. Consistently moves heavy materials to and around the job site. Serves under the supervision of a Trail Work Leader or higher graded trail employee.

There is a variety of trail maintenance projects in the Cactus Forest of the Rincon Mountain District, brushing, installing timber check steps, re-naturalizing parts of the trail.  Other potential project work is helping with mine closures, bench installation project and trail maintenance throughout the park.  These projects have the same requirements of hiking, hauling heavy things and trail maintenance tasks.

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.

Schedule:

The front country crew member schedule will run Monday to Thursday with 4 days on, and 3 days off.

The backcountry crew member schedule will run from Wednesday to Wednesday and consist of 8-day hitches, and 6 days off, where team members will be camping in a backcountry or front country setting.

Position Benefits:

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $650/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a federal hiring authority upon completion of their term of service. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general information onlinehttps://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements“> https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements.

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or NPS.

Provided Training/Orientation: ACE members will receive position-specific training and an orientation outlining ACE policies and procedures, clear guidance on prohibited activities, and networks for support.

Backcountry Travel Allowance: The backcountry crew member role will receive a travel per diem of $40/day (when camping overnight) of up to $1600 total for the 10 weeks.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, as required by 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 the required two-part criminal history check
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• ACE Members will need to complete bi-weekly timesheets, beginning of term feedback forms, end of term evaluations and for longer terms, a mid-term evaluation.
• Member may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website:https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements“> https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing an associates or bachelors degree and/or have relevant experience in environmental science, botany, ecosystem restoration, natural resource management, or related discipline.
• Knowledge of trails maintenance and construction methods.
• Ability and willingness to hike 10+ miles in a variety of potentially harsh environmental conditions and camp in a backountry or front country setting.
• Ability and willingness to use a variety of hand tools, carry and move things weighing 50 lbs or more
• Deep interest in outdoor recreational pursuits and being a productive part of a team.

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, talking and hearing. Manual dexterity required for use of various 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 30-50 lbs., ability to move up to 50 pounds.
• Environmental: 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 does not require unique travel.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland conditions, biting insects, and potentially dangerous wildlife. The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/members or resources.

Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety: If a vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties, one will be provided by the NPS or ACE. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the site Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the NPS will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to NPS and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required.

To Apply:
Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience, and contact information for three professional/academic references to the online application page for this position here: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/1035877“>https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/1035877 

Please specify in your cover letter which role(s) you would like to be considered for: backcountry crew, front country crew, or BOTH.

*Early consideration will be given as resumes are received. This position may close at any time.* If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact ACE EPIC Recruitment and Outreach Specialist, Shannon Borowy at [email protected].