Pacific West Backcountry Trail Conservation Crew Member Southern California

American Conservation Experience Pacific West a non-profit conservation corps is looking for members to come join our team of young adults serving on meaningful conservation projects throughout California. Our mission is to introduce and prepare our AmeriCorps members for careers in resource management within the conservation corps industry or with public agencies such as California State Parks US Forest Service National Park Service National Fish and Wildlife Service the Bureau of Land Management as well as many other local and non-profit land steward organizations. ACE Pacific West crews serve in Yosemite National Park Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park Death Valley National Park on the Pacific Crest Trail in coastal State Parks on the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit and in numerous other inspiring locations. We have 3 branches to serve from! Choose between base locations in Sacramento Coachella Valley and Ridgecrest California. This opportunity is intended for those looking to focus on improving backcountry skills for a career in conservation while immersed in a community of like-minded young professionals from around the country. Members will serve for 13 or 26 weeks on backcountry projects including ecological restoration habitat improvement and trail maintenance and construction all while completing a term of AmeriCorps service. While serving members typically have 3-6 days off between each project to enjoy Californias abundant beauty and recreational opportunities with their friends and colleagues. Take your first step towards beginning or advancing your career by applying with us today!

Start Date: 06/29/2026

End Date: 10/07/2026 (450 hour term) or 01/27/2027 (900 hour term)

Location: Coachella Valley CA

Projects take place throughout California and the Pacific West with a heavy emphasis on backcountry trail work in the Sierras.

Schedule: For part of this term of service members will be assigned to serve on our John Muir Trail Wilderness Conservancy Backcountry Trail Crew. The crew remain on-site at a backcountry base camp for two month-long one month increments members will serve 5 consecutive 10 hour days followed by two consecutive days off in the field. There will be a 6 day break at the end of each month in which members return to Palm Springs. Upon completion of this project (for 900 hour members) members will return to serve the rest of their term on other projects typically serving 8 consecutive 10 hour days in the field followed by 6 consecutive days off.

Benefits: Member compensation and benefits include a package valued at over $1700/mo.

• Members will receive a Living Allowance of $400/week paid bi-weekly.
• Members obtain an Education Award for the amount of $1956.35
• ACE provides members with food during all project days (breakfast lunch dinner and snacks); members are responsible for providing their own food on off-days.
• ACE provides members with campsite accommodations. When working remotely members will be camping onsite. The member will provide their own blankets/pillow/sleeping bag/towels.
• AmeriCorps members may also be eligible for qualifying child care coverage and federal loan forbearance. Additional enrollment steps are required.

Gear: ACE provides each member their own tent required PPE and bear can for backcountry projects. The member will provide their own sleeping bag sleeping pad rain gear and hiking boots. Upon acceptance to the program members will receive a more extensive packing list. Weather on backcountry projects can be highly variable so plan on bringing layers of warm clothing and adequate rain gear. Members will have access to deeply discounted Pro Deals via Outdoor Prolink once they are offered and accept a position and will have the opportunity to purchase discounted gear prior to their arrival.

Travel: ACE provides transportation to and from worksites; personal vehicles are not necessary throughout the members term of service. ACE does not provide relocation assistance to California.

Position Description:

Members serve in professionally supervised teams as they explore future outdoor careers learn practical field skills and develop confidence as emerging leaders in the field of conservation while focusing specifically on backcountry trail skills. Members may also receive Wilderness First Aid (WFA) Chainsaw and/or Crosscut Training. Members are afforded opportunities to learn and train under the guidance of professional mentors within ACE while gaining invaluable career perspectives working alongside staff from the National Park Service US Forest Service Bureau of Land Management US Fish and Wildlife Service and many other stewards of our nations public lands.

Field work and additional responsibilities might include but are not limited to:

Trail construction and maintenance

• Tread maintenance and construction
• Brushing/Clearing
• Campsite Restoration

Other Conservation Skills

• Backcountry camping and cooking

Members get experience with or in conjunction with the following tools and equipment depending on their level of training:

• Trail Maintenance: Pick mattocks Pulaskis shovels single/double jacks McLeods single bit axes rock bars chisels crosscut saws and griphoists.
• Restoration Equipment: Herbicide backpack sprayers spray bottles GPS units and measuring tools.

Qualifications: Applicants should be prepared to perform physically challenging labor on environmental and conservation projects for 10 hours a day. Applicants should expect to hike up to 10-12 miles a day on rough terrain at high elevations carrying backpacks tools and equipment and be prepared to spend 8 consecutive days in the field on each project. Members will work in a variety of weather conditions such as temperatures ranging from below freezing to over 100 degrees Fahrenheit high winds intense sunshine rain and snow.

Required:

• Must be a United States Citizen United States National or Lawful Permanent Resident Alien of the United States.
• Able and willing to work in a group
• Able and willing to work outdoors in varying weather conditions and capable of hiking long distances in rough terrain during inclement weather conditions
• Willingness to undergo and must pass a required three-part criminal history check / two-part criminal history check
• 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.

Preferred:

• Experience in hiking backpacking and navigation for long distances in steep terrain
• Experience in backcountry settings for extended periods of time
• Strong desire to enter the conservation field as a natural resource professional
• Experience or interest in volunteering in local communities

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 or equipment. Required to stoop kneel climb stairs and/or crouch. Ability to hike for long distances over rough terrain and camp overnight under field conditions.
• Vision Requirements: Close distance peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus may be required.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 50 lbs. ability to move up to 60 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
• Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise such gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools.
• Travel: This position requires 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.

The member must be willing to represent ACE and AmeriCorps in a professional positive and enthusiastic manner. ACE has a zero tolerance policy for illegal drugs and underage drinking. ACE reserves the right to require drug testing.

To Apply: Please submit a thoughtful resume AND complete a motivational statement/cover letter and provide at least 2 references that are either professional or from a community leader (eg colleagues teachers counselors religious leaders career advisors) using the APPLY NOW section located on the upper right hand corner of the position listing on our usaconservation website.

NOTE: 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 Pacific Wests Southern California Hiring Manager: Anna Hoskins ()

ACE participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information when you are enrolled in a program 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.