Vegetation Monitoring Member - NPS Appalachian Highlands Inventory and Monitoring Network

Summary

American Conservation Experience a nonprofit Conservation Corps in partnership with the National Park Service (NPS) is seeking ONE Vegetation Monitoring Member to monitor significant natural resources in National Parks as part of the NPS Appalachian Highlands Inventory and Monitoring Network (APHN).

For more information about ACE please visit our website.

Start Date: Mid-July 2025

Estimated End Date: 14 weeks after start date

*a 14-week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: Stationed at APHN office on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Asheville NC

*This position will have the opportunity to travel across multiple NPS site locations. See details below.

Program Background: The Appalachian Highlands Network primarily serves three NPS units in the southeastern US: Blue Ridge Parkway Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area and Obed Wild & Scenic River. Network parks are divided between two ecologically distinct physiographic regions: the Cumberland Plateau of Kentucky and Tennessee and the Southern Appalachian Mountains of Virginia North Carolina and Tennessee. The Appalachian Mountains and Cumberland Plateau lush with vegetation old-growth forests rocky ridges and deep gorges are characterized by high levels of biological diversity and endemism.

The nation-wide NPS Inventory and Monitoring Program was created to acquire the information and expertise needed by park managers to protect park resources and maintain ecosystem integrity in the face of multiple threats. The primary goals of the NPS I & M program are to inventory NPS natural resources to determine their nature and status; monitor park ecosystems to better understand their dynamic nature and condition and provide reference points in comparison to other environments; and to establish baseline inventory and monitoring practices throughout the National Park system.

For more information regarding the Appalachian Highlands Inventory & Monitoring Network please visit the sites website.

Position Overview: This position will be serving with the NPS Appalachian Highlands Inventory and Monitoring Network as a member of a team that conducts field-oriented natural resource monitoring.

Primary duties include assisting APHN staff with a variety of field-oriented projects including:

• Vegetation monitoring including rare plant communities and forest health
• Entering and quality checking monitoring data and species occurrence information in databases and spreadsheets using Microsoft Access and Excel
• Occasionally providing field and data management assistance for other long-term monitoring projects which may include freshwater mussels and/or water quality
• Organizing and carrying out field logistics to support monitoring teams of two or more people
• Occasionally assisting with formatting and editing technical reports produced by the Networks using Microsoft Word
• Depending on the interests and background of the intern occasionally assisting with creating Geographic Information System maps (with ESRIs ArcGIS Pro software) to be used for natural resource inventory and monitoring projects

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 ACE Member will be primarily on a compressed schedule (5/4-9) working 9 hours a day on weekdays with alternate Fridays off. Exact hours are somewhat flexible for office work usually 8:00am - 5:30pm Eastern. Field work hours will vary depending on project requirements. Some field days may exceed 9 hours and/or start before 8:00am.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute 40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $600/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses dispersed bi-weekly. While traveling for projects ACE will pay for lodging and will provide member a per diem for meals & incidental expenses NTE $6000. Travel accommodations may include motels cabins or park housing; the Member may occasionally be asked to pay for lodging or meals and later be reimbursed by ACE.

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the intern and not provided by ACE or NPS; however while traveling for projects ACE will pay for lodging and will provide Member a per diem for meals & incidental expenses NTE $6000.

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. NPS will provide field training and experience in a variety of methods and instruments used to carry out several long-term monitoring projects. Training or practical experience may also be provided in data manipulation using Microsoft Excel Microsoft Access and other proprietary software including Garmin GPS software ESRI ArcGIS Pro software and National Park Service natural resources inventory and monitoring databases.

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 drivers license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request). Members must be 21 to drive due to ACEs 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.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements please visit our website located on our Indeed homepage.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing an associates or bachelors degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as a background or coursework in botany ecology natural resource management or a related discipline and have a demonstrated interest in this field.
• Knowledge interest and/or experience conducting vegetation sampling and monitoring
• Experience in various field data collection methods using standard protocols
• Experience in backcountry hiking and navigation in steep uneven terrain
• Interest and ability to work in remote field areas
• Familiarity with Microsoft Excel Microsoft Access Garmin GPS units and/or ESRIs ArcGIS Pro

Physical Demands Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting standing walking hiking 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 and other office equipment. Required to stoop kneel climb steep slopes and/or crouch. Ability to hike over rough terrain while carrying a backpack and field equipment.
• 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 25 pounds ability to move up to 45 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
• Noise Environment: Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
• Travel: This position will require domestic travel. The Appalachian Highlands Network primarily serves three NPS units in the southeastern US: Blue Ridge Parkway Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area and Obed Wild & Scenic River. Network parks are divided between two ecologically distinct physiographic regions: the Cumberland Plateau of Kentucky and Tennessee and the Southern Appalachian Mountains of Virginia North Carolina and Tennessee.

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. Job Hazard Analyses will be provided for each monitoring activity.

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 ACEs 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 Eastern Program Manager Molly Nash.

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 hired 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.