Invasive Plant Management Members - Southeast Coast Invasive Plant Management Team - Congaree National Park

Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the Southeast Coast Invasive Plant Management Team (SEC-IPMT) is seeking TWO Traveling Invasive Plant Management Team Members-Southeast to contribute to IPMT projects alongside NPS Staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

LOCAL CANDIDATES ENCOURAGED TO APPLY

Start Date: Approximately March 23, 2026

Estimated End Date: September 12, 2026 (or 25 weeks after start date)

*a 25-week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: Congaree National Park, Hopkins, South Carolina

Congaree National Park is a stunningly beautiful and very special place. This park protects the largest contiguous tract of old growth floodplain hardwood forest in the southeast. Our boundaries encompass approximately 27,000 acres, the majority of which is designated wilderness. In general, the climate is mild with very, very hot and humid summers. Columbia is the closest major city to the Park. It is a very nice city with much to keep you busy and entertained. There are many hiking opportunities within a short drive of the city and this is a wonderful place to be if you are a paddler. Columbia is also only about 2 hours from the mountains and 1.5 hours from the ocean.

For more information about the site, please visit the NPS website.

Position Overview:

This is a 25-week opportunity to be a part of a traveling team that will focus on invasive plant management at 13 parks in the Southeast Region. These include national parks in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama. The team will visit several, not all, of these parks during the position. The team will be based at Congaree National Park near Columbia, SC; however, will periodically travel on a work schedule of eight consecutive ten-hour working days, then return to Congaree for six scheduled days off before traveling to the next park or site for eight, ten-hour days.

The member will control non-native plants using both manual and chemical methods (75%), perform distribution mapping of non- native plants using GPS (10%), and assist with additional resource management field, GIS, and data management projects (15%). Because of the travel intensive nature of this internship, we are looking for adaptable applicants willing to work in an environment requiring a lot of flexibility. At times our travel plans change suddenly due to unforeseen weather or training opportunities.

This position is meant to facilitate professional development and promote exposure to land management and networking with professionals at various parks. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups. Interns will potentially receive training on many resource management aspects: herbicide safety and handling, truck and trailer driving, hand tool use, GIS skills, and see a variety of beautiful parks located in the Southeast. The crew will be manually removing exotic invasive vegetation in both urban and rural NPS sites. The team will live together while in travel status, so the ability to get along with others is vital. The accommodation will vary from rustic park housing to hotels, but while traveling camping will not be required. The program is interested in crew members with initiative, leadership ability, patience, and an intense work ethic who have a desire to expand their resumes.

Schedule: The team will be based at Congaree National Park near Columbia, SC; however, will periodically travel on a work schedule of eight consecutive ten-hour working days, then return to Congaree for six scheduled days off before traveling to the next park or site for eight, ten-hour days.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $650/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

This position is part of the Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement must meet the PLC Eligibility Requirements to be considered for this position. Members 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 (You must be between the ages of 16 and 30. Some agencies also interpret these guidelines to include veterans up to age 35) and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general eligibility information on our website.

Housing: Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or the National Park Service. Members need to live in the local commuting area near Congaree National Park, located at 100 National Park Road Hopkins, SC 29061.

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.

Qualifications

Required:

• Members must be authorized to work in the United States. ACE does not provide sponsorship for employment visas.
• 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). Members must be 21+ to drive due to ACE's insurance and liability requirements.
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required criminal history checks
• 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 located on our Indeed homepage.
• Members must have access to their own personal vehicle due to remoteness of Congaree National Park and lack of public transportation. Personal vehicle will not be used for work purposes.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a bachelor's degree and/or have relevant
• experience in subject areas such as conservation, ecology, environmental science, or outdoor recreation.
• Knowledge of botany, conservation, ecology, environmental science and a love of the outdoors.
• Ability and willingness to spend many hours outdoors in at times inclement weather. Willingness to travel up to eight hours to reach a work site.
• Deep interest in botany or NPS resource management preferred.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent, walking, hiking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with handsand arms, talking and hearing. Manual dexterity required for use of various tools, computer keyboard/mouse andother office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Ability to hike over rough terrain andbe outside for up to ten hours a day in various field conditions.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 45 lbs., ability to move up to 50 pounds.Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently, workingunder adverse weather conditions and in various climates. Willingness to safely use herbicides is required.Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise such as gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools.
• Travel: This position requires domestic travel for up to eight days at a time.

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: If a vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties, one will be provided by the NPS or ACE. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the NPS. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the NPS, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to NPS 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 NPS Eastern Member Manager, Emily Oostveen.

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 enrolled in a program to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

EEO:  Employment or Service with ACE is based upon ability, qualifications, attitude, and job-related factors. Every qualified employee, member, 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, age, sex, creed, national origin, pregnancy, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information, veteran or military status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, 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.