Exotic Plant Control Members - Cumberland Gap National Historical Park - American Conservation Experience - EPIC

Summary:
American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service, is seeking TWO Natural Resource Members to assist with a variety of ongoing resource management projects alongside Cumberland Gap National Historical Park staff.

For more information on this position with ACE, please visit: usaconservation dot org.

Start Date: September 30, 2024

End Date: November 11, 2024 (or 4 weeks after end date)

*a 4-week minimum commitment is required*

Location Details/Description: Cumberland Gap National Historical Park - Middlesboro, KY.

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park is located at the corners of Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia. The Park contains 24,000 acres of which 14,000 acres are proposed wilderness. The natural beauty of Appalachian mountain country, lush with vegetation, supports a diverse flora and fauna. Cumberland Gap has 85 miles of hiking trails, mountains, streams, and caves. Middlesboro, Kentucky is the nearest town and is large enough to accommodate three grocery stores, fast food, several restaurants, and a movie theater. Knoxville, Tennessee is approximately 1.5 hours away and has many amenities of a large city.

For more information regarding Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, or the National Park Service, please visit the NPS website.

Position Overview: The ACE member will assist the Cumberland Gap's Resource Management staff in accomplishing a variety of tasks. The member will spend the majority of their time in the field performing physically demanding tasks as assigned. Approximately 75 - 80% of the fieldwork will be Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) control; duties will also include exotic plant management and other invasive species work.

This project is very physically demanding. In order to perform Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) control, the ACE member must be very comfortable navigating off-trail in the backcountry using GPS. Backcountry camping in a team of two will be required. This treatment is performed off-trail and requires bushwhacking through rhododendron, mountain laurel, and greenbrier up-and-down steep slopes, crossing streams, carrying 2.5-gallon jugs of insecticide, measuring trees, applying chemical at the base of the tree, marking treated trees, and moving onto the next tree. The Member must be able to hike up to 8 miles a day carrying up to 40 lbs of gear in all weather conditions and in steep terrain.

Another duty would be exotic plant control. Exotic plant control at Cumberland Gap is almost always accomplished by spraying herbicides. There are two primary methods of exotic plant control performed:

• The first is foliar treatment with a backpack sprayer that carries 2 - 3 gallons of herbicide. Foliar spraying large areas of exotic plants require members to carry this heavy load of herbicide, often in full sun, on slopes in difficult terrain.
• The second method requires cutting down shrubs and small trees with hand tools and then spraying the stumps with concentrated herbicide solution.

The member will spend the remainder of their time performing other relevant tasks as assigned. Examples of other duties include bat monitoring, wildlife surveys, and ginseng surveys. This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promote 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 typical schedule is Monday to Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm (40 hours per week required).

Position Benefits:

Living Allowance: ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $440/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. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility.

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or NPS with ONE $160/week housing reimbursement available. Government housing may or may not be available for a monthly cost to the 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. Specific training may include herbicide and insecticide training, review of safety protocols, and Kentucky Pesticide Certification upon passing testing requirements.

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 driver's 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.
• Member may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement or as defined by AmeriCorps.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website: usaconservation dot org.

Additional Position Requirements:

• Ability to communicate clearly with peer professionals, volunteers, and NPS staff.
• A personal vehicle is required.
• The member will be required to hike 5-10 miles per day while carrying up to 40 lbs of gear on uneven and steep terrain, on and off trail, bushwhacking in some cases through rhododendron, mountain laurel, and greenbrier.
• Must be willing and able to perform the above fieldwork, including backcountry camping.
• Must be able and comfortable with navigating off-trail by maps and GPS units in the mountains.
• Must be willing and able to serve in all weather conditions, from 90 degrees Fahrenheit and 90% humidity in full sun in the summer, to freezing temperatures in winter.
• Must be willing to use herbicides and insecticides, and pass the Kentucky pesticide certification test to apply pesticides in forestry situations.
• Must be able to serve in a small group setting, performing strenuous duties, while maintaining a positive attitude.
• Ability to serve independently in remote areas.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing an associate's degree and/or have relevant experience in natural resource management or other related disciplines.
• Knowledge of the interrelationships of various natural and cultural resources; for example: range, wildlife, soil, water, and minerals.
• Ability to identify plants on sight or by using a dichotomous key.
• Interest in the National Park Service.

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 40] lbs., ability to move up to 40 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates. Office environment conditions include good indoor air quality and temperature is controlled.
• Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise such 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 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 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 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 the online application page for this position here: usaconservation website.

Early consideration will be given as resumes are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact EPIC NPS Eastern Member Manager, Corinna Mokotoff.

EEO: Employment with ACE is based upon ability, qualifications, attitude, and job-related factors. Every qualified employee 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, creed, sex, gender, national origin, pregnancy, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information (including of a family member), veteran or military status, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, 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.