Gardening Member - Jimmy Carter National Historic Park

Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service, is seeking ONE Gardening Member to assist with garden maintenance and design alongside the Jimmy Carter NHP Staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Start Date: As soon as possible

Estimated End Date: 51 weeks after start

*a 51-week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: Jimmy Carter National Historic Park, Plains, GA

The Jimmy Carter National Historical Park preserves sites associated with James Earl Carter, Jr. (born 1924), 39th president of the United States. These include his residence, boyhood farm, school, and the town railroad depot, which served as his campaign headquarters during the 1976 election. The building which used to be Plains High School (opened in 1921 and closed in 1979) serves as the park & museum and visitor center. Plains is a rural community in Southwest Georgia with full services available in Americus, GA (10 miles); Albany, GA (40 miles); and Columbus, GA (50 miles).

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

Position Overview: The ACE Member will work with the park gardener to maintain designed landscape spaces at the park primarily in the Carter Home and Garden area but will also assist at spaces located at the other Park locations which include Plains High School Visitor Center, Plains Depot, and The Boyhood Home.

Duties may include:

• Maintain designed landscape spaces such as Memorial Garden, Rosalynn Carter Butterfly Trail Gardens and other established gardens and flower beds within the Park.
• Support creation of additional butterfly gardens at Plains Depot, and other gardens as needed.
• Additional Duties include Greenhouse Gardening, applying pine straw or mulch, pulling weeds, and applying chemicals under the supervision of NPS staff

This position is located in Plains, Georgia where the climate has hot, humid summers and in the winter can have cold days. There are insects, bees and wasps, and snakes that inhabit the area as well. The position requires mainly outdoor work dealing with the aforementioned conditions. During inclement weather, you will be provided indoor tasks.

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 will be Monday through Friday 7AM -3:30 PM Eastern Time. There is a possibility of weekend duty depending on events and park staffing.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $634/week (pre-tax) 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 is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or NPS.

Relocation Allowance: ACE members will have access to up to (NTE) $650 in taxable reimbursement funds to be used for eligible relocation expenses. Further details regarding distribution of these funds will be provided during the interview

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 Mowing and String trimming operation. Defensive driving along with UTV/Golf cart training.

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.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a minimum of a high school diploma and/or have relevant experience in areas such as biology, gardening, landscaping, and construction.
• Laborer or maintenance experience
• Ability to multitask and shift schedule and priorities to meet changing conditions.
• Is comfortable working outside in varying weather conditions and at heights.
• Have a willingness to work hard and get dirty.
• Have the ability to think critically and creatively.
• Knowledge of plants, shrubs, flowers, trees and the diseases and insects that may affect them, and the proper treatment of such.
• Ability and willingness to maintain existing landscape, help design new landscape areas as needed, and work well with fellow employees.
• Deep interest in Horticulture

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent standing, walking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talking and hearing. Manual dexterity required for use of various tools, computer keyboard/mouse. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch.
• 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 20 lbs., ability to move up to 50 pounds.
• 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.
• Travel: This position does not require unique 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 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, Maya Opara-Nadi.

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.