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ACE: Habitat Restoration Members - Cuyahoga Valley National Park

American Conservation Experience, a Non-Profit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Cuyahoga Valley National Park, is seeking interested applicants for TWO Habitat Restoration Members lasting 26 weeks in support of the National Park Service, restoring habitat and managing native and non-native plants.
This opportunity is intended for enthusiastic, beginning professionals with a background in ecology, botany, biology, wildlife, fisheries, entomology, natural resource management, or a closely related field, who possess a deep interest in advancing career goals through hard work and commitment to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park's professional staff and diverse resources.
Start Date: May 2020
End Date: 26 weeks from the start date
*A 26-week (6 months) commitment is required*
Location: Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio
Cuyahoga Valley NP protects 33,000 acres surrounding the Cuyahoga River between Cleveland and Akron in northeast Ohio. The park's mission is to preserve and protect the historic, scenic, natural, and recreational values of the Cuyahoga River Valley for public use and enjoyment and to maintain open space in an urbanized environment. The park is dominated by deciduous forest but also supports meadows, wetlands, and farming. More than 53% of the park is considered functional riparian area. Summers are moderately warm with average temperatures in the 70's and 80's but with occasional warm spells in the 90's. Winters are moderately cold with average temperatures in the 20's and 30's; heavy snowfall is not unusual.
Project Website: For more information regarding the Cuyahoga Valley National Park or area, visit the park's website at www.nps.gov/cuva. For more information regarding American Conservation Experience, please visit: www.usaconservation.org
Compensation: The ACE Members will be expected to contribute 40 hours/week and receive a living allowance of $250/week for food and incidental expenses, paid bi-weekly. Dormitory housing is provided by NPS. Pets and family members are not permitted to live in Park housing. A travel allowance will be provided to cover travel expenses.
AmeriCorps: These positions are eligible for 900-hour AmeriCorps Segal Education Awards ($3,047.50) upon successful completion of the term. Additional enrollment is required. 
Position Description: The Habitat Restoration Members will work as a part of the park's habitat-restoration crew, alongside park staff and volunteers. Exotic-plant management, including use of mechanical and chemical control, is a high priority. The ACE Member also will assist with all phases of habitat restoration, including collecting native seeds and cuttings; propagating native plants at the park's greenhouse and nursery; preparing sites for revegetation; and planting native plants at restoration sites. Many projects, including exotic-plant control and reforestation, will be completed in coordination with large groups of volunteers. Other projects occasionally may require independent, solitary work. ACE Members will travel to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Plant Material Center in upstate New York to clean seeds collected throughout the year. Depending on personal interest, the ACE Members also will have opportunities to assist on other park projects, such as coyote surveys, deer surveys, butterfly surveys, vegetation monitoring, and wetland monitoring. 
Project Background and Objectives: Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a member of the Heartland Inventory & Monitoring Network, fifteen parks in the Midwest sharing resources and professional expertise to inventory and monitor natural resources. Inventory and monitoring builds a strong scientific foundation for the management and protection of natural resources in National Parks. While the inventory program provides a snapshot of the natural resources in a park, monitoring tracks the health of the natural resources across time. Effective monitoring programs alert park managers about changes - both positive and negative - in a timely way so they can make in-formed decisions to protect resources.
Educational/Recreational Opportunities: Excellent recreational and educational opportunities are available near Cuyahoga Valley National Park, including hiking and biking trails, numerous restaurants and theaters, nearby shopping, easy access to Lake Erie and multiple universities and colleges.
Training Provided: The park will provide training to ACE Members in:
  • Plant identification;
  • Understanding methods and managing exotic plants with potential to become a state-certified applicator, if interested;
  • Using GIS and GPS technology;
  • Propagating native plants;
  • Safely using chainsaws and other tools to manage exotic plants and restore habitat;
  • Possibly, basic wildland-firefighting and certification, including potential participation during use of prescribed fire at the park.
Qualifications: 
Applicants for the position will hold a minimum of a bachelor's degree and/or experience in botany, ecology, biology, wildlife, fisheries, entomology, or related discipline. The ACE Members will be resourceful, adaptable, and able to work comfortably alone or in a group. The ACE Members must be willing and able to represent ACE and the NPS in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.
Requirements:  
  • Must have a deep interest in field work and a respect for nature
  • Must be able and willing to work outdoors, in varying weather conditions, participating in physical labor
  • Must be 18-35 years of age (Members must be at least 21 to apply for any ACE position that requires or anticipates operation of agency or ACE vehicles for duties.)
  • U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
  • Proficient in English
  • Must be able to communicate clearly and concisely with resource professionals within NPS
  • Must have effective communication skills with diverse audiences
  • Proven 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 a federal criminal background check
  • Must possess personal vehicle or other means of transportation for use during personal time off
  • Must be comfortable and willing to use herbicide as part of the position responsibilities 
  • Must have personal medical insurance for the duration of participation with ACE
Additional Qualifications:  
  • Experience working in an environmental- or cultural-education setting
  • A strong demonstrated interest and/or education in the field of natural and cultural resources
  • Experience identifying and managing native and non-native plants
  • Experience using GPS and GIS software
  • Excellent writing, research, and organizational skills
  • Excellent public speaking skills
  • Bilingual applicants are encouraged and welcome
Please note: Marijuana and other controlled substances are not allowed at any time during the performance of duties or while on federal property, regardless of State law or qualified medical marijuana card status. ACE reserves the right to drug test at any time.
To Apply: Please submit your resume, thoughtful cover letter, and contact information for three professional/academic references to the online application page for this position, found through the external application link in Handshake. 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 ACE EPIC Recruitment Specialist, Jen Wells at (973) 294-2766 or jwells@usaconservation.org.
EOE: 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.