Water Quality Inventory and Monitoring Member Appalachian Highlands Inventory and Monitoring Network

Summary: American Conservation Experience (ACE) a nonprofit conservation corps in partnership with the National Park Service (NPS) is seeking ONE Water Quality Inventory and Monitoring (I&M) Member to monitor and protect 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: February 2026 (flexibility available for the right candidate)

Estimated End Date: February 2027 or 52 weeks after start date

*a 52-week minimum commitment is required*

Location Details/Description: Oneida TN

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 and Monitoring Network please visit the NPS website.

Position Overview: This is a year-long position with the NPS Appalachian Highlands Inventory and Monitoring Network (APHN) where the ACE member will serve as a member of a team that conducts field-oriented natural resources monitoring. Duties are mainly assisting with field data collection laboratory testing and data management for the Networks water quality monitoring program. Other duties may include assisting with freshwater mussel vegetation monitoring and other natural resource monitoring.

Assist APHN staff with a variety of field-oriented projects including:

• Operation and maintenance of data sondes used to collect continuous water quality data;
• Collection of discrete water quality samples;
• Operation and maintenance of water quality instruments;
• Operation and maintenance of laboratory instruments and field equipment;
• Entering and quality-checking continuous and discrete water quality monitoring data;
• Occasionally providing field and data management assistance for other long-term monitoring projects including freshwater mussel and vegetation monitoring;
• Field operation and basic management of Global Positioning System (esp. Garmin) instruments and data;
• Creating basic Geographic Information System maps (with ESRIs ArcGIS software) for natural resources inventory and monitoring projects;
• Organizing and carrying out field logistics to support monitoring teams.

APHN will provide field training and experience using a variety of water quality monitoring instruments and techniques. This includes procedures for water sampling streamflow measurements measuring field and laboratory parameters and other procedures. Training and skills will be provided in data collection and management using electronic data collection methods Microsoft Excel ESRI ArcGIS software as well as other proprietary software including National Park Service natural resources inventory and monitoring databases. Training will be provided in First Aid and Operational Leadership (a safety awareness course). In addition training is provided for vegetation and freshwater mussel monitoring.

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: A flexible schedule is required during periods of field work but the schedule will most commonly be Monday - Friday 8am to 4:30pm.

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. While traveling for projects accommodations will include motels and park housing; reimbursable travel expenses are covered by the ACE NTE $6000.

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 (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. Rental units may be available through the park at below market rate.

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 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.
• 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.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a minimum of a bachelors degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as aquatic ecology hydrology environmental science natural resource management or related disciplines.
• Strong interest in hydrology ecology and natural resource management.
• Knowledge interest and/or experience conducting field projects.
• Experience in various field data collection methods using standard protocols.
• Experience in backcountry hiking working or recreating in river/stream environments and navigation in steep terrain.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Excel Garmin GPS units and/or ESRIs ArcGIS.

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 stairs and/or crouch. Ability to hike over rough terrain and camp overnight under 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 25 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 noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
• Travel: This position will require domestic 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 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 NPS Eastern Member Manager Corinna Mokotoff.

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.