Seeds of Success Members - Mojave National Preserve

Summary

American Conservation Experience a nonprofit Conservation Corps in partnership with Mojave National Preserve is seeking two Seeds of Success Members to engage in native seed collection activities alongside Mojave National Preserve staff.

For more information about ACE please visit the usaconservation website.

Start Date: July 27th or sooner

Estimated End Date: 16 weeks from start date

*a 16-week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: Mojave National Preserve (MOJA) Southern California.

The Mojave National Preserve is located in southeastern California approximately 200 miles (320 km) northeast of Los Angeles. Spanning over 1.6 million acres the preserve is a vast expanse of desert landscapes featuring sweeping sand dunes volcanic cinder cones and rugged mountain ranges. Among its most iconic features are the Kelso Dunes and the dense Joshua tree forests found in the higher elevations. The preserve is recognized as a remarkable representation of the Mojave Desert ecosystem supporting a wide variety of plant and animal life. Over 800 plant species thrive here many adapted to the regions extreme conditions including rare and endemic species found nowhere else.

For more information regarding Mojave National Preserve please visit the NPS website.

Position Overview:

• Collect native plant seed for 1) post-fire rehabilitation and 2) roadside Rehabilitation projects.
• The work will involve:
  • a. Scouting for potential seed collection sites of native plant species targeted for collection.
  • b. Monitoring identified sites for seed ripening.
  • c. Collecting native plant seed following the Seeds of Success protocol.
  • d. Cleaning and storing seed that is to be used for roadside rehabilitation.
  • e. Packaging seed collected for post-fire rehabilitation and send seed to the U.S. Forest Service extractory in Bend OR.
  • f. Keeping accurate records of all collections.

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: Full time 40 hrs. - option of four 10 hour work days (6:00am-4:30pm or 7:00am or 5:30pm)

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.

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement 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 and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility or view general information on our usaconservation website.

Housing: Dormitory housing is available in the Preserve. Individuals will have their own room with shared kitchen living area and bathroom facilities.

Relocation Allowance: $1000. This is a remote duty location with no public transit. Selected candidates will need a personal vehicle on-site. A government vehicle will be provided for use during work hours.

Gear Allowance: up to $200 to be used for eligible gear/additional supplies such as work boots light-weight field pants broad-brimmed hat per member

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 a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident as required by 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 drivers license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required three-part criminal history check
• 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 usaconservation website.

Preferred:

• Ability to navigate over open terrain using maps and Global Position Units
• Background in botany and experience with plant identification
• Experience with field data collection
• Experience with quality checking field data ensuring records are complete and accurate.

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. Manual dexterity required for computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop kneel climb stairs and/or crouch. Ability to hike 2-6 miles a day. Can withstand and work in extreme temperatures - not to exceed 105 degrees
• 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 50 lbs. ability to move up to 75 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
• 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 National Park Service/Mojave National Preserve or ACE. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the National Park Service/Mojave National Preserve. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) typically provided by the National Park Service will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to National Park Service/Mojave National Preserve 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 the online application page for this position on usaconservation 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 our ACE EPIC Western Member Manager Vanessa Rogan.

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.