Plant Nursery Member - Lake Mead National Recreation Area

Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with The National Park Service, is seeking one member to contribute to resource management projects alongside NPS Staff. The Plant Nursery Member will be responsible for assisting in native plant propagation, transplanting and documenting propagation protocols. Duties will include seed collection, seed processing, and out-planting for restoration projects. The Nursery member will also assist in maintaining nursery facilities and fixing and installing irrigation. Other work within the vegetation branch may include restoring off road vehicle tracks, removing graffiti, and maintaining and installing barriers and fences to prevent off road vehicle use, invasive plant removal or rare plant monitoring.

For more information about ACE, please visit our usaconservation website.

Start Date: Late October/early November

Estimated End Date: 24-weeks after the anticipated start date

*a 24-week minimum commitment is required*

Location Details/Description:

Lake Mead National Recreation Area is located in Boulder City in the arid environment of Southern Nevada. Swim, boat, hike, cycle, camp and fish at America's first and largest national recreation area. With striking landscapes and brilliant blue waters, this year-round playground spreads across 1.5 million acres of mountains, canyons, valleys and two vast lakes. See the Hoover Dam from the waters of Lake Mead or Lake Mohave, or find solitude in one of the park's nine wilderness areas. For more information regarding Lake Mead National Recreation Area, please visit the NPS website.

Position Overview:

The member will assist growing assignments for species and numbers needed to meet plant requests in a specific timeframe. Member will assist maintaining plants with proper watering and fertilizer protocols and indicate when Integrated Pest Management is needed to ensure plant health. The member will work with volunteer groups and youth conservation corps. Duties will also include data entry and maintaining nursery databases.

The ACE member will collaborate with NPS staff in work activities, primarily native plant propagation at the Lake Mead NRA native plant nursery and out-planting native plants, salvage and seed collection. Work will include assisting in propagation and care (including weeding and irrigation) of plants at the nursery, mixing soil and filling plant containers, documenting propagation protocols, moving heavy plant containers around yard, pest control, assisting in maintenance of facility, seed collection and data management, and installing plants at restoration sites.

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: The member will work a schedule of 8 hours Monday to Friday averaging 40hrs/week. The position will need to be flexible and periodically may require some weekends and shift changes.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute 40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $500/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

AmeriCorps Education Award Program: This position may be eligible for a 900-hour AmeriCorps Education Award. For the previous grant year this was valued at $3,247.50 upon successful completion of a complete service term and 900 hours. The new award amount will be updated when that information is released.

Loan Forbearance: AmeriCorps members may also be eligible for federal loan forbearance. Additional enrollment steps are required.

Qualifying Child Care Coverage: AmeriCorps members may also be eligible for qualifying child care coverage. Additional enrollment steps are required.

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, or view general information online on our usaconservation website.

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or NPS. A housing reimbursement of $1,000 a month is available to help offset housing costs, not to exceed $6,000 total for the term.

Training Allowance: ACE members will have access to up to $250 to be used for eligible training expenses. Further details regarding distribution of these funds will be provided during the interview process.

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 Wilderness First Aid or First Aid CPR/AED if classes are available.

Qualifications

Required:

• Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, as required byU.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. (A three-year driving record will be required to drive NPS fleet.)
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required two-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.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our usaconservation website.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a minimum of a bachelor's degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as natural resource management, botany, or biology.
• Ability to identify plants
• Knowledge of plant growth and plant care
• Identify and implement IPM actions needed
• Detailed data collection to document plant growth and seed sources
• Repair and install irrigation
• Knowledge of data collection on gps units or other app related devices (iPhones or iPads), Excel, Word, Powerpoint.
• Experience or the desire to gain field experience.
• Deep interest in learning how to restore desert landscapes● Experience in driving full size 4X4 trucks and gaining experience trailering.

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 manual or power 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 20 lbs., ability to move up to 40 lbs.
• 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 tools and other hand and power tools. Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
• Travel: This position may require domestic travel.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, rain, 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 NPS. 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 ACE's online application page for this position on the 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 ACE EPIC NPS Western Member Manager, Vanessa Rogan.

EEO: American Conservation Experience provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, American Conservation Experience complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.