Recreation and Outreach Member

Recreation and Outreach Member

Summary: The American Conservation Experience (ACE), a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), is seeking one (1) Recreation and Outreach Member to contribute to environmental education, recreation site and trail maintenance, and visitor use data collection projects alongside BLM Staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Start Date: May 5th, 2025 (dependent on a federal background check)

Estimated End Date: October 31, 2025

*a 26-week minimum commitment is required*

Location Details/Description: Cody, WY

The Cody Field Office encompasses 2.2 million acres of the Bighorn Basin in northwest Wyoming. The area includes portions of Park and Big Horn counties and is bordered by the Shoshone and Bighorn National Forests. Cody, WY is roughly 52 miles from Yellowstone National Park.

The Field Office manages 1.1 million acres of public land and 1.5 million acres of federal mineral estate within this area. These public lands provide a variety of resource values including wildlife habitat, scenic vistas, wild horses, recreational opportunities, minerals, livestock grazing, and paleontological and cultural resources.

For more information about the BLM Cody Field Office, please visit their website.

Position Overview: This opportunity will be focused on recreation management, with opportunities to work with other natural resource specialists, including hydrologists, wildlife biologists, archeologists, range management specialists, soil scientists, and GIS specialists. This project would be especially appropriate for a student studying or anyone with an interest in recreation management and public engagement. This experience will provide opportunities to enhance basic career skills in resource management objectives and implementation, communication, use of GIS and maps, teamwork, and leadership.

The member will gain experience and be engaged in fieldwork monitoring, environmental education, recreation site and trail maintenance (which may include grounds and facilities maintenance), and visitor use data collection. The member will also learn about other programs within the BLM, including wildlife, hydrology, and range programs to complete program goals. There will be opportunities to learn about other BLM programs as well, such as archaeology, forest health, fuels ecology, surface use and environmental compliance, geology, and the oil and gas program. There will be a mix of both office and field work with this position. The majority of the fieldwork is solitary. The member may work with other programs as needed and as time allows, including sensitive species plant surveys, rangeland monitoring, fire/fuels management, wildlife management, water flow data collection, and more. The intern will have opportunities to experience what other BLM specialists do and will be encouraged to explore other career options, provide ideas and input, and research ways to improve the recreation program.

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

Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $700.00/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly. The living allowance is a fixed rate determined by the BLM and ACE and is not flexible.

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

Housing Assistance: ACE Members will be eligible for reimbursable housing assistance up to $200.00 per week. The ACE Member will only be reimbursed for approved and demonstrated housing expenses.

Relocation Assistance: ACE members will have access to up to $500.00 to be used for eligible relocation expenses. Further details regarding the distribution of these funds will be provided during the interview process.

Gear Assistance: ACE members will have up to $300.00 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 an orientation outlining ACE policies and procedures and networks for support. Specific training provided by the BLM will include UTV use and trailer towing training.

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 see the ACE website for more information on PLC eligibility.

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.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website.

BLM Required:

• Willing to undergo and must pass a DOI federal background check.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing an undergraduate degree in natural resources and/or have relevant experience in natural resources.
• Recipients who are looking for opportunities in recreation management, public lands, public outreach, and conservation.
• Knowledge of GIS.
• Ability and willingness to work and communicate effectively with a small team of professionals.
• Previous 4X4 driving experience especially in remote locations and/or on rough terrain.
• Ability and willingness to work outdoors alone in remote field locations often under rigorous, physical conditions while navigating difficult terrain.

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 is required for the use of various tools and 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: Ability to move roughly 40 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions are accompanied with this position. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
• Travel: This position may require domestic 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 themself, 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 Bureau of Land Management or ACE. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the Bureau of Land Management. The use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the Bureau of Land Management, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to the Bureau of Land Management 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 on our website. 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 ACE EPIC BLM/FS Project Manager, Allison Finch, at afinch at usaconservation dot org.

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

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.

EEO: Employment with ACE is based on 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.