ACE: Stream Survey Technician Team Members, AmeriCorps Eligible

Company: American Conservation Experience - EPIC
Location: Corvallis
Posted on: May 3, 2021

Job Description:

Summary: American Conservation Experience, a nationwide Nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management, the US Forest Service, and the National Park Service, is seeking applicants for 6 Stream Survey Team Members to dedicate 20 weeks to the research, monitoring and management of the interagency Aquatic and Riparian Effectiveness Monitoring Program (AREMP) based out of Corvallis, Oregon. The field projects will take place in various locations on Forest Service (USFS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and National Park Service (NPS) lands in northern California, Oregon, and Washington, west of the Cascade Mountains.

Start Date: May 24 2021

End Date: 10/9/2021*20 weeks from start date

Location: Corvallis, Oregon. Field projects will take place in various locations on Forest Service (USFS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and National Park Service (NPS) lands in northern California, Oregon, and Washington, west of the Cascade Mountains.

Project Website:

For more information about the Aquatic and Riparian Effectiveness Monitoring Program (AREMP), please visit their website at: https://www.fs.fed.us/r6/reo/monitoring/watershed/.

For more information regarding the ACE EPIC Program, please visit: www.usaconservation.org

Living Allowance: Members will receive a $500.00/weekly paid bi-weekly.

Housing: Members will be responsible for their own housing in Corvallis, government housing is not available. Members will camp during their 8 days on, while conducting field surveys.

AmeriCorps: This position is also eligible for a 675-hour AmeriCorps Education Award for National Service (2,360.00) upon successful completion of service term hours.

Public Land Corps Special Hiring Authority:

ACE Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a special hiring authority upon completion of their term. Qualifying members who serve a "minimum of 640 hours of satisfactory service on appropriate conservation projects as defined in the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 and at least 120 hours were served on a project utilizing the Public Lands Corps legal authority." Eligible members must meet standard requirements of completing at least 640 hours and utilize their certificate before the age of 30.

Position Description:

The ACE Team Members will work with BLM and Forest Service Fish Biologists and Biological Technicians to monitor watershed conditions on USFS, BLM, and NPS lands. This is accomplished by conducting stream habitat surveys including channel morphology, habitat typing, substrate measurements, large wood surveys, benthic macroinvertebrate collection, and identifying invasive species.

Members will work on a crew with two to three BLM Biological Technicians and/or Members. May also have the opportunity to calibrate, download, and deploy in-stream and air temperature sensors in watersheds and assist with extensive planning and logistics which involves mapping routes, finding campgrounds, navigating to remote sites and occasional backpacking trips. Members will spend 95% of their time in the field during their service term.

Members will receive three weeks of training prior to heading out into the field to conduct surveys including technical aspects of completing AREMP surveys and comprehensive safety training. You will learn to use data tablets, survey equipment, and GPS units.

After training, the crews will work 8 days on followed by 6 days off to conduct surveys. During this time crews will camp in rustic dispersed campsites (no bathrooms or running water) and occasionally campgrounds in remote areas. A few sites will require backpacking into watersheds to set up a remote camp where surveys will be conducted. This may also include travel by horse pack and boats. Field surveys will involve extensive hiking and bushwhacking off-trail on steep slopes to reach survey sites in streams. Hiking to sites may involve hiking up to 10 miles in a day. Once at the stream Members will work in cold water, walk on uneven surfaces, and climb over logs while carrying field equipment. Members can expect to work in variable weather conditions including cold, rain and 90+ degree days throughout the summer and may even see some snow at the end of the season. This is a physically demanding position.

While working, Members will be provided with camping gear including tents, sleeping pads, and cooking gear. Members will be responsible for providing their own sleeping bag and rain gear. Wading boots and waders will be provided. Members will be responsible for buying their own food prior to leaving for field stints. During work, Federal vehicles will be used. Members will take defensive driver training so that they can drive federal vehicles as needed. A valid state driver's license is required for this position.

Qualifications:

Applicants must have a degree in ecology, wildlife biology, fisheries and wildlife management, natural resource management, biology or other related disciplines appropriate to the position. A combination of relevant education and appropriate experience is also acceptable. Resumes must contain enough information to show that the applicant meets the experience as defined in the position announcement. We are looking for determined, strong and developing natural resource managers who are looking for experience working with land management agencies.

Required Skills:

ACE Requirements:

• Members must be US Citizen or Permanent Resident, as required to comply with U.S. government contracts.
• Members must be 18-30 (Applicants between 31 and 35 may be considered based on veteran status)
• Ability and willingness to undergo a federal criminal background check may be required
• Must have a valid driver's license, clean driving record with ability to provide required documentation; (Driving record checks will be completed during on-boarding process.
• ACE is a drug free workplace and reserves the right to drug test at any time
• (Members must be 21+ to drive ACE/Agency vehicles)
  • Ability to drive an Agency or ACE vehicle is required for this position. ACE will conduct a driving record check upon on-boarding and members must be cleared by ACE to drive.

Requirements for Position:

• Effective communication skills with resource specialists, colleagues, and the public
• Able and willing to alone and in a group
• Able and willing to work outdoors in varying weather conditions and capable of participating in sustained physical labor
• Interest and knowledge of fisheries and/or wildlife management
• Knowledge, interest and/or experience in riparian ecosystems
• Knowledge, interest and/or experience conducting aquatic field work
• Experience in various field data collection methods using standard protocols
• Experience in backcountry hiking and navigation in steep terrain
• Must have camping experience and be willing to camp for several days in remote areas
• Experience driving trucks with 4 wheel-drive
• Interest and ability to work in remote field areas
• Strong leader and equally strong team player
• Strong desire to enter the conservation field as a natural resource professional

The members must be willing to represent ACE and the partnering agency in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.

**This position is subject to change/close at any time**

To Apply:

Please submit a resume, cover letter, and 3 professional references using the APPLY NOW section located on the upper right hand corner of the position listing on our website here: https://usaconservationepic.applicantpool.com/jobs/

Note:

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 Celia Demers, Member Manager at cdemers@usaconservation.org

EEO:

American Conservation Experience provides equal employment opportunities (EO) 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.

Keywords: American Conservation Experience - EPIC, Corvallis , ACE: Stream Survey Technician Team Members, AmeriCorps Eligible, Other , Corvallis, Oregon