Summary: American Conservation Experience (ACE), a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with New River Gorge National Park and Preserve (NERI), is seeking TWO Restoration and Forest Health Members to work directly to restore natural communities and protect forest health alongside NERI Natural Resource Management staff.

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

Start Date: May 9, 2022 (flexible by 1-2 weeks)

End Date: October 21, 2022 (or 24 weeks after start date)

* A 24-week minimum commitment is required *

Location: New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, Glen Jean, West Virginia.

NERI is located in southern West Virginia and encompasses 70,000 acres and 53 miles of one of the oldest rivers on the continent. NERI is home to a vast array of natural and cultural resources. Renowned for its recreational opportunities, NERI hosts miles of hiking and biking trails, premiere whitewater rafting, rock climbing, fishing, hunting, bird watching, and camping.

Park staff also manages the nearby Bluestone National Scenic River (BLUE) and Gauley River National Recreation Area (GARI). BLUE protects 10.5 miles of free-flowing river and offers a rich variety of natural resources and history along the Bluestone Turnpike Trail. GARI protects 25 miles of the Gauley River and 6 miles of Meadow River. Known for its multiple class V rapids, GARI is one of the most adventurous rivers in the east.

For more information about the park, please visit their website at: https://www.nps.gov/neri/index.htm, https://www.nps.gov/blue/index.htm, https://www.nps.gov/gari/index.htm.

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $475/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

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

The member will have use of a government vehicle for project-related travel, though a personal vehicle is required for time off and transportation to/from the park.

AmeriCorps: This position may be eligible for a 900-hour AmeriCorps Education Award ($3,172.50) upon successful completion of service hours. Additional enrollment steps are required.

Position Description: The ACE Members will learn about natural resource management issues through interactive experiences and assignments at New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, Bluestone National Scenic River, and Gauley River National Recreation Area. The Members will assist Natural Resource Management staff and partners with invasive plant control, forest pest control, restoration of globally rare plant species and communities, restoring legacy minelands, revegetation, seed collection, rare plant monitoring, and data management. The Members will interact with the public and share information on park resources and issues.

Training: NPS will provide safety and pesticide applicator training. Cross training opportunities are encouraged and could include amphibian surveys, water quality monitoring and analyses, trail maintenance, archaeology surveys, interpretation, and public education.

Physical Demands: The Members will work in the field, often over rough, steep, and uneven terrain. Field work will include hiking for long periods of time carrying backpacks and equipment. Members may also access field sites by boat, including boating through whitewater with a trained guide. The Members must be willing to work in adverse weather conditions such as heat, humidity, cold, and rain. Encounters with biting or stinging insects, poison ivy, and venomous snakes are possible.

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.

Required:

• Members must be US citizen or Permanent Resident, as required to comply with 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 required criminal history checks.
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• A personal vehicle
• Must be able and willing to serve outdoors, in varying weather conditions and capable of participating in physical labor
• 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.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a degree and/or have relevant experience in ecology, botany, biology, invasive species management, forestry, natural resource management, environmental science, or related discipline.
• Experience with hand tools and power tools, such as drills, string trimmers, and hedge trimmers
• Effective communication skills
• Ability to safely follow procedures used in the field
• Plant identification skills including taxonomy and use of dichotomous key