American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Bureau of Land Management, is seeking Two Members to contribute to an Aquatic Resource Monitoring and Restoration project alongside BLM Eastern Interior Field Office Staff.
For more information about ACE, please visit: www.usaconservation.org.
Start Date: April 2024 (contingent upon passing a government background check)
Estimated End Date: October 2024
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Location Details/Description: Fairbanks, AK
The Eastern Interior Field Office manages 6.5 million acres of public lands in east-central Alaska. Its area includes the White Mountains National Recreation Area near Fairbanks, the adjacent Steese National Conservation Area and three Wild and Scenic Rivers: Birch Creek, Beaver Creek and the Fortymile River. The office also manages the Pinnell Mountain National Recreation Trail and historic Fort Egbert in Eagle. To cover its far-flung territory, which includes six public campgrounds and numerous other recreational facilities, the office maintains summer field stations in Central, Chicken, and Eagle.
For more information about the Eastern Interior Field Office, please visit https://www.blm.gov/office/eastern-interior-field-office
Position Overview: Restoration of impaired stream habitats is a key component of BLM policy and area specific Resource Management Plans. ACE members would gain knowledge and practical experience with two types of stream restoration methods (Low Tech Process Based and Natural Channel Design) and collect data consistent with the BLM's National Aquatic Monitoring Framework (lotic AIM) in support of a study designed to assess restoration effectiveness. Most tasks will involve working around and wading in rivers and streams, which are typically less than a few feet deep.
Duties:
- Assessing the condition of stream habitats, riparian vegetation, and water quality using BLM lotic AIM methods
- Assisting with implementation of low tech process based and natural channel design techniques.
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 schedule for the position will typically be four 10 hour days or 5 eight hour days, weekdays.
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. The living allowance is a fixed rate determined by the Bureau of Land Management and ACE and is not flexible.
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 online https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements.
Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or Bureau of Land Management.
Housing Assistance: ACE Members will be eligible for reimbursable housing assistance up to $100 per week. The ACE Member will only be reimbursed for approved and demonstrated housing expenses. Due to the location a personal vehicle is encouraged in order to navigate Fairbanks. Some housing options might be available within biking distances of the BLM office and Fairbanks in general is fairly bike-friendly. Potential housing options in the Fairbanks area include dry cabins, apartments, and houses.
Relocation Assistance: ACE members will have access to up to $740 to be used for eligible relocation expenses. Further details regarding distribution of these funds will be provided during the interview process.
Gear Assistance: ACE members will have up to $200 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes, [Xtratuff boots, bugshirt], and 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 lotic AIM field methods and wilderness first aid certification.
Qualifications
- 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).
- 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.
Preferred:
- Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a fisheries or hydrology degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as aquatic ecology, natural resource management, and environmental science.
- Knowledge of fisheries and/or hydrology.
- Ability and willingness to wade in rivers and streams.
- Deep interest in aquatic ecology.
Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:
- Physical Demands:
- 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 lbs.
- 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 gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools, as well as moderate to high noise from large equipment such as bull dozers and tracked excavators.
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: 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 Bureau of Land Management
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 applications are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact BLMFS Member Manager, Anna-Louise Calliham at acalliham@usaconservation.org.
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.
