LEAD Visitor Information and Maintenance (VIM)

LEAD Visitor Information and Maintenance (VIM)

Summary

American Conservation Experience a nonprofit Conservation Corps in partnership with El Yunque National Forest is seeking ONE (1) LEAD to contribute to the Visitor Information and Maintenance project alongside U.S. Forest Service - El Yunque NF Staff.

For more information about ACE please visit our website.

Start Date: ASAP

Estimated End Date: 52 weeks after Start Date

Location Details/Description: The El Yunque National Forest is the only tropical rainforest in the national forest system. At nearly 29000 acres it is one of the smallest in size yet one of the most biologically diverse of the national forests hosting hundreds of animal and plant species some of which are found only here.

For more information about El Yunque National Forest please visit the USFS website.

Position Overview:

Primary duties include visitor management practices processes methods and procedures that include the following:

• Serve as a uniformed representative of the US Forest Service with a high expectation of responsibility and commitment
• Staffs an entrance station making contract to hundreds of visitors a day informing the public about recreation site rules and regulations various recreation areas and trails reservation programs and miscellaneous recreation program activities
• Maintains and rehabilitates recreation sites impacted by Hurricanes Fiona and Maria
• Leads day-to-day operation of a team of 4 ACE Epic interns by assigning tasks providing guidance monitoring progress and ensuring goals are met. Acts as a primary point of contact between team members and agency personnel.
• Takes initiative and identifies projects works with a team to complete projects.
• Works under various environmental conditions without climate control exposed to heat humidity rain cold and strong sun
• Answers routine questions that require knowledge of a limited variety of facts events circumstances personalities and natural characteristics identities with the site.
• Checks the usage and condition of public use areas trails campgrounds and other recreation areas for safety fire sanitation and maintenance and promptly addresses and corrects any issues. Collects compiles and reports routine visitor and resource use statistics.
• Performs routine daily opening and closing procedures and assists with general tasks.
• Position requires the safe operation of government vehicles.
• Maintain recreation areas using power tools pressure washers weed whackers and lawn mowers
• Checks visitor use of recreation facilities.
• Monitors compliance with recreation area rules and regulations of parking sanitation. Reports violations to Forest Service personnel.
• Cleans recreation areas removes trash cleans restrooms and maintains improvements.
• Constructs and/or maintains trails
• Performs other duties as assigned.

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: 7:00am-6pm with availability on weekends/holidays

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute 40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $740.00/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses dispersed bi-weekly. The living allowance is a fixed rate determined by the USFS and ACE and is not flexible.

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 see the ACE website for more information on PLC eligibility.

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.

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.
• Fluency in both English and Spanish languages
• Reliable transportation to arrive at assigned duty location for the day on-time
• 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.
• Knowledge of safe work practices in remote areas

Preferred:

• Experience in leadership positions
• Knowledge in outdoors management group dynamics.
• All candidates are encouraged to apply though local candidates will be strongly considered.
• Knowledge of general outdoor maintenance.
• Ability and willingness to work outdoors.

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 30 lbs. ability to move up to 30 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates. Mainly indoor office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled.
• Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise such as gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools. Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
• Travel: This position requires domestic travel to the site. This position does not require unique out of site 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 USFS/EYNF or ACE. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the USFS. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) typically provided by the USFS will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to USFS 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 Member Manager Yunielis Clemente Ortiz at .

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.