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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 SoCal crews serve in Yosemite National Park, Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park, Death Valley National Park, Pinnacles National Park, Joshua Tree National Park, on the Pacific Crest Trail, in State Parks, and in numerous other inspiring locations. We have 3 branches to serve from! Choose between base locations in Sacramento, Coachella Valley (Palm Springs), and Ridgecrest, California. This opportunity is intended for those looking to focus on building 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 primarily wilderness trails projects for this recruitment. ACE projects have a lot of variety and as we move from season to season, you may also find yourself working on projects such as 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 California's 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: September 7th, 2026
End Dates-your choice: January 27th, 2027 (450 hur term) or April 7th, 2027 (900 hour term)
Location: Ridgecrest, CA
*Estimated end dates may change due to project needs; however, they are not flexible to individual candidates. All classes start together and have an orientation that must be attended to ensure you have a great experience here. End dates may be flexible if extended out, but not shortened. Our terms do not typically fit well into a Summer break.
Projects will take place throughout the state of California, specifically throughout the Mojave Desert, along the Pacific Crest Trail, in the Inyo National Forest, in John Muir Wilderness Country, Sequoia Kings Giant Forest, Yosemite National Park, and more.
Schedule: Members will typically serve 8 consecutive 10-hour days in the field, followed by 6 consecutive days off. Project schedules may vary, and members may be asked to work a 4-day on, 3-day off schedule; or a 5-day on, 2-day off schedule. For remote projects, members spend off-days nearer to their project location. Remote projects may require crews to be onsite for more than one 8 day hitch cycle, spending upwards of 21 days away from their their base location, potentially in the backcountry, potentially out of cell service. Crews will have a satellite phone for operations use and emergencies only.
Benefits: Member compensation and benefits include a package valued at over $1,700/mo.
Members will receive a Living Allowance of $400/week, paid bi-weekly.
Members obtain an Education Award for the amount of $1,956.35 (for 13 weeks) or $3,697.50 (for 26 weeks) upon successful completion of service.
AmeriCorps members may also be eligible for qualifying childcare coverage and federal loan forbearance. Additional enrollment steps are required.
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 free housing during their term of service. When working in or near the Pacific West Division, members spend off days in our hostel-style housing. Crew members will provide their own blankets/pillow/sleeping bag/towels.
When working remotely, members will be camping onsite.
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 member's term of service. ACE does not provide relocation assistance.
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. 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 nation's public lands.
Field work and additional responsibilities might include but are not limited to:

• Trail construction and maintenance
  • Tread maintenance and construction
  • Brushing/Clearing
  • Drainage and Drainage Structures
  • Grading and Switchback construction
• Dry and wet stone masonry
• Habitat restoration
• Backcountry camping and cooking
• Reforestation
• Forest thinning
• Plant identification
• Fencing
• Invasive species removal, including pesticide and herbicide
• Swamping

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.
• Power Tools and Gas Powered Equipment: Chainsaws, brush-cutters, drills, saws, and compressors.

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 weighing up to 50lbs, 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:

• U.S. Citizen or permanent resident
• 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 and navigation for long distances in steep terrain
• 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, complete a motivational statement (instructions are provided when applying) OR upload a 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 West's Program Managers: Carlee Koritkowski or Dawn Cramer.
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.