Restoration and Weeds Member

Summary
American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management St. George Field Office (BLM SGFO), is seeking one Restoration and Weeds member to contribute to the SGFO Integrated Pest Management program and Vegetation Restoration projects alongside BLM Staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit https://www.usaconservation.org/.

Start Date: Early February/March 2025.
Estimated End Date: August/September 2025 (26 weeks after the start date). 

Location Details/Description: St. George, Utah. 

The St. George Field Office covers approximately 629,000 surface acres of public land and is located at the convergence of three different ecoregions. The Mojave Desert, Great Basin, and Colorado Plateau are where many native plants and animals have evolved into unique species, some found nowhere else on earth. Important evidence of earth’s geologic history and past human cultures is also preserved on public land in Washington County, making these some of the most sensitive land managed by the agency.  The Beaver Dam Wash National Conservation Area and the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area are located within the administrative boundaries of the St. George Field Office.

For more information about the BLM St. George Field Office, please visit  https://www.blm.gov/office/st-george-field-office. 

Position Overview: 

Most of the internship would be assisting with field work which may include inventory, monitoring, and treating invasive and noxious weeds with both herbicides and biological controls, installing riparian seedlings, assisting with the construction of low-tech water structures such as rock dams, and monitoring of such restoration treatments. Office duties may include preparing Pesticide Application Records, downloading and uploading invasive plant data using ArcGIS, data entry, report writing, and development of outreach materials. The work is typically split between seasons. The spring season will consist primarily of weeds spraying and monitoring. As the season progresses, the position will transition into rangeland management and vegetation monitoring. 

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. Cross-training may include opportunities to shadow wildlife biology teams and botany teams. 

Schedule: Between the hours of 8am - 5pm, Monday through Friday. Options for flexible schedules, such as 4/10 are available.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $800/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 and 640 hours of service. If the duration of a PLC-eligible term is not long enough for Members to accrue 640 hours of service (~16 weeks), the total hours served at the completion of the term may be eligible to be combined with hours accrued from another PLC-eligible term to meet the 640 hours requirement. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general eligibility information at https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/. 

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

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. 

Gear Allowance: ACE members will have up to $500 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position must be approved by ACE staff prior to purchase. 

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 Utah pesticide applicator certification and UTV certification. 

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 criminal history checks 
• ACE participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information when you are hired to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.
• 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. 
• Willingness to obtain pesticide applicator license and use pesticides. 
• Willingness to learn how to use UTVS, agency vehicles, and trailers. 
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/. 

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can have relevant academic and/or professional experience in subject areas such as natural resource management, rangeland management, or botany.
• Ability and willingness to work independently in the field for long periods of time. 
• Experience with ArcGIS programs. 
• Deep interest in environmental restoration. 

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. 
• 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 50 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 as gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools. Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
• Travel: This position may require domestic travel within the region.

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. Southern Utah gets extremely hot in the summer and has a monsoon season. 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 BLM or ACE. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the BLM. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the BLM, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it.  Strict adherence to BLM 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 ACE’s online application page for this position here: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/1163176. Early consideration will be given as applications are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact Member Manager, Sheana Ward, at sward@usaconservation.org. 

ACE values an inclusive workforce - if you meet at least 70 percent of the qualifications, we want to hear from you!

EEO: Employment with ACE is based upon ability, qualifications, attitude, and job-related factors. Every qualified employee or applicant has the same opportunity for recruitment, hire, training, transfer, promotion, compensation, demotion, termination, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, national origin, pregnancy, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information (including of a family member), veteran or military status, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, medical condition, marital or parental status, political affiliation, ethnicity, hair texture or style, arrest record, caste, hereditary status, endogamy, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, or federal law.