American Conservation Experience
Tucson, AZ, USA
Feb 19, 2020
Internship- Paid
Summary: American Conservation Experience (ACE), a Nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Saguaro National Park in southern Arizona is seeking 5 members for Vegetation Management Positions willing to dedicate 18 weeks working directly with the Saguaro NP Natural Resource staff mainly exploring the field of invasive plant monitoring and management in the southwest.
These opportunities are intended for enthusiastic, emerging professionals with a background in ecology, botany, biology, natural resource management, or a closely related field, who possess a deep interest in advancing their career goals through hard work and commitment to the Saguaro National Park's professional staff and amazing biological resources.
Start Date : June 2020 (exact start date TBD)
End Date : Fall 2020 (18 weeks from start date)
*A 18-week minimum commitment is required*
Location: Saguaro National Park - Tucson, Arizona
Project Website : For more information about the park please visit their website at: http://www.nps.gov/sagu/index.html For more information regarding American Conservation Experience: usaconservation.org
Compensation: The ACE Members will be expected to serve a minimum of 40hrs/week and receive a living allowance of $550 / week, paid every two weeks to be used for food, lodging, and other incidentals. Park housing is NOT provided and should be secured in/around the great Tucson area.
Members will also be reimbursed up to $195 for sturdy, over-ankle hiking boots.
Position Description: ACE Members will be working in Saguaro National Park's Science and Resource Management Division with the majority of the duties associated with invasive plant control. Duties will also include backcountry surveys for non-native plants, springs/wetlands, cultural resources, and forest health indicators.
ACE Members will join a team made up of biologists, biological technicians, volunteers, and interns. The work site will be both districts of Saguaro National Park in Tucson. ACE Members will be provided training in plant identification, plant removal, herbicide use and mixing, mapping with GPS and GIS, data collection, and specialized backcountry survey techniques. Occasional backcountry work will be done in the upper elevations of the park (up to 8,600') and involve camping.
Invasive Plant Control:
This work is primarily manual and chemical treatment of invasive plants. Safety and herbicide training will be provided. For chemical applications, members will be required to work with approved concentrated herbicides and diluted solutions. Members will be required by law to follow all appropriate safety guidelines and wear appropriate personal protective equipment. The work is both along roads and trails, however the majority of projects are in the backcountry. Terrain and weather conditions can be extremely unforgiving. This is very rugged cross-country travel and treatment areas are often difficult to reach and navigate.
ACE Members may be involved in ongoing or new monitoring associated with herbicides and invasive plants within the Park. The members will map localized infestations and areas treated by the Invasive Plant Management team. Work includes knowledge and use of GPS, Trimble handheld computers, and GIS software (ArcMap) to record, enter, and process data. Trimbles and GPS units will also be used for navigation while in the field.
Work hours:
Due to extreme summer weather conditions, work will begin at 5:00am once the official season starts (mid-July). The typical work schedule is four 9 to 10-hour days, followed by three days off. Occasional weekend/evening work may be required.
Physical requirements:
Hiking on and off-trail up to 10 miles per day with a heavy backpack for carrying herbicide, safety equipment, drinking water (min 3 liters), food, and data recording equipment. Elevation changes during a work day may vary from less than 1,000' ft up to 5,000'. Terrain is likely to be steep, rocky, loose, and slippery. For the majority of the day, members will be on their feet exposed to the elements, either: hiking; spraying herbicide; pulling; or digging buffelgrass. Use of hand tools to plant native vegetation and to remove invasive plants will be required and intensive. There will be frequent lifting of objects over 40 pounds.
All work will be conducted under harsh environmental conditions (summer heat and humidity, monsoons, lightning exposure, minimal shade, remote locations). Members will experience frequent encounters with reptiles, insects, mammals, cacti, and other thorny and spined vegetation.
A Day in the Life: Invasive Plant Management team
"As part of the invasive plant management team at Saguaro National Park, ACE interns will be working side by side with experienced biological science techs to manage invasive buffelgrass (check out www.buffelgrass.org ) using manual and chemical control. When the buffelgrass greens up in response to the monsoon rains, herbicides administered through backpack sprayers are the weapon of choice. Unfortunately the timing occurs during the scorching summer months of July-September. Interns will experience early morning starts, daytime temperatures exceeding 100 degrees many days, cacti that seemingly jump onto you, and rough, steep terrain. While the job is physically and mentally demanding, the rewards are endless. The Sonoran Desert is truly a magical place, and as an ACE intern, will experience that first hand."
-ACE EPIC Member Brian
Qualifications: Applicants for the position must hold a minimum of a bachelor's degree and/or relevant experience in environmental science, botany, ecosystem restoration, biological sciences, natural resource management, or a related discipline. The interns must be resourceful, adaptable, and able to work comfortably alone or in a group.
Required:
Must be a US Citizen or Permanent Resident
Must be between the ages of 18 to 35
Must be able to communicate clearly and concisely with resource professionals within NPS
Must possess a valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request)
Must be willing to undergo and must pass a federal criminal background check
Deep interest in ecology and respect for nature
Must have a desire to gain a deeper understanding and relationship with the Southwest and understand what it takes to manage our country's most revered natural places
Must be able to carry and lift up to 50 pounds and work on steep and rough terrain in the backcountry of the park
Interest in invasive species management or related experience
English proficiency required
Preferred:
Effective communication skills with all ages and diverse audiences
Knowledge and understanding of botany and plant taxonomy, including plant identification and use of dichotomous keys
Experience with invasive species management/control
Knowledge and ability utilizing GIS/GPS equipment in the field
Ability to work alone or in a group
Degree or significant coursework in botany, ecology, natural resource management, environmental science, geography, or closely related field as they relate to the positions noted
It is highly recommended that you have a personal vehicle for commuting purposes as rides to and from the park during off times are difficult to secure.
Please note: Marijuana and other controlled substances are not allowed at any time during the performance of duties or while on federal property, regardless of State law or qualified medical marijuana card status. ACE reserves the right to drug test at any time.
To Apply: Please submit your resume, thoughtful cover letter, 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 resumes are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position, please feel free to contact the ACE Recruitment Specialist, Jen Wells at (973) 294-2766 or jwells@usaconservation.org.
EOE: American Conservation Experience provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) 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.
