Invasive Species and Habitat Restoration Technician - Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park
Summary: American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park, is seeking 2 Members to contribute to Invasive Species and Habitat Restoration projects alongside NPS Staff.
Start Date: March 5, 2023
Estimated End Date: September 29, 2023
*a 30 week minimum commitment is required *
Location Details/Description: Three Rivers, CA
All work is front country in three geographic areas: Ash Mountain near Three Rivers, CA from March-April, Cedar Grove in April and Grant Grove from May-Sept in Kings Canyon National Park. Ash mountain is the parks' headquarters and the closest to town-amenities with a grocery store and restaurants. Spring is a beautiful time in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Cedar Grove is a secluded area with excellent access to the extensive Kings Canyon wilderness. Grant Grove is a blend of accessible to urban areas (1 hour from Fresno) and sits among the mixed conifer forests that make the mid-elevation of the Sierra Nevada home. Its name-sake Giant Sequoia grove is an attraction with international draw. These parks are dominated by wilderness. Therefore, cell phone reception is limited to small segments of developed areas.
For more information about Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park, please visit https://www.nps.gov/seki/index.html.
Position Overview: Work involves mapping invasive plant infestations using a tablet with associated GPS including creating polygons, identifying target species, and estimating percent cover using visual estimates. Interns will also need to drive a government vehicle and will be applying herbicide via backpack sprayer and/or using a UTV with a spray attachment. Survey work will be done in oak woodlands and mixed conifer forest in Cedar Grove and Grant Grove. Treatment will serve the goals of eliminating seed production, reduce seedbank, and allow native canopy to close. Members will provide invasive plant treatments in the burn area and will remove invasive plants that germinate in the openings provided by burning using herbicides and vegetation equipment. In addition, members will have opportunities to support the native plant restoration through seed collection, plant care in the nursery, and assisting with planting. Members will be trained on native and invasive plant identification, control measures (including safe herbicide application), and native plant production techniques. Technicians will be supervised by knowledgeable and passionate NPS staff. This position provides critical support of the invasive plants and restoration program with a strong field emphasis: 90% of the time will be spent in the field hiking and performing invasive species control with 10% of the time spent in the office for administrative responsibilities.
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: Mon-Thu, 8:00am - 5:30pm Pacific Time. There will be occasions when members are asked to work weekends to support volunteer programs or for specific tasks. Members may also have opportunity to perform overnight wilderness travel if interested.
Position Benefits
Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $550/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.
AmeriCorps Education Award Program: This position may be eligible for an 1200-hour AmeriCorps Education Award while serving under the EAP 2022/23 grant year program, valued up to $4,546.50 upon successful completion of a complete service term and 1200 hrs.
Loan Forbearance: AmeriCorps members may also be eligible for federal loan forbearance. 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. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general information online here.
Housing: ACE members will be accommodated in provided housing at no cost for the duration of the term. Sequoia and King Canyon National Park government housing is within shared units with housemates. Some housing units may require the member to share a room with one additional mate.
Relocation Allowance: ACE members will have access to up to $500 to be used for eligible relocation expenses. Further details regarding distribution of these funds will be provided during the interview process.
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. Specific training may include Wilderness First Aid.
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 three-part criminal history check.
- Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
- 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.
- 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 or as defined by AmeriCorps.
- To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website here.
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 as Natural Resources, Environmental Science, Biology, Botany, and invasive plant survey or control.
- Knowledge of Invasive plants, restoration, the National Park Service
- Experience using botanical/dichotomous keys for plant ID
- Ability and willingness to apply herbicides
- Deep interest in the outdoors and natural resources
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/. 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 Recruitment and Outreach Specialist, Emanuel Aragon Cruz, ecruz@usaconservation.org.
EEO: 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.