Native Plants Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Stones River National Battlefield, is seeking ONE Invasive Plant Management Member to contribute to IPMT projects alongside NPS Staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Start Date: September 21, 2026

Estimated End Date: January 9, 2027

*a 16-week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: Murfreesboro, TN

Stones River National Battlefield preserves and protects a cultural landscape consisting of 700 acres of forests, grasslands, cedar glades, savannas, and barrens, and includes one of the earliest national cemeteries. The park is located in the historic city of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, about 30 miles southeast of Nashville. Murfreesboro offers all amenities such as grocery stores, restaurants, gyms, pharmacies, and department stores. The park is in a suburban area, served by public transit but most easily accessed by car. Tennessee can be very hot and humid. The work environment at the park is heavily field-based, and interns may spend considerable time standing and hiking. They may be subject to full sun, high heat, biting and stinging insects, and the potential for dehydration during fieldwork. For more information about Stones River National Battlefield, please visit the NPS website.

One of the many ways the NPS is addressing invasive species is through the Invasive Plant Management Program. The program assists parks in preventing introductions of new species, reducing existing infestations, and restoring native plant communities and ecosystem functions.

In 2000, the NPS created the Invasive Plant Management Program that now supports 18 teams contributing in over 300 park units. Invasive Plant Management Teams (IPMT) are led by individuals with specialized knowledge and experience in invasive plant management.

Each field-based team operates over a wide geographic area and serves over a dozen parks to increase operational efficiency. The IPMT uses multiple strategies to create a work plan specific to the needs of the individual partner park. All treatment, control and restoration methods are reviewed and approved by the partner park and the NPS Integrated Pest Management Program.

Position Overview: The member will control non-native plants using both manual and chemical methods (75%), perform distribution mapping of non- native plants using GPS (10%), and assist with additional resource management field, GIS, and data management projects (15%). Because of the travel intensive nature of this internship, we are looking for adaptable applicants willing to work in an environment requiring a lot of flexibility. At times our travel plans change suddenly due to unforeseen weather or training opportunities.

This position is meant to facilitate professional development and promote exposure to land management and networking with professionals at various parks. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups. Interns will potentially receive training on many resource management aspects: herbicide safety and handling, truck and trailer driving, hand tool use, GIS skills, and see a variety of beautiful parks located in the Southeast. The crew will be manually removing exotic invasive vegetation in both urban and rural NPS sites. The team will live together while in travel status, so the ability to get along with others is vital. The accommodation will vary from rustic park housing to hotels, but while traveling camping will not be required. The program is interested in crew members with initiative, leadership ability, patience, and an intense work ethic who have a desire to expand their resumes.

Schedule: Monday-Friday 6:30am-4:00pm CST, Week2: Monday-Wednesday 6:30am-4:00pm CST, Thursday 6:30am-3:00pm CST

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $700/week (pre-tax) to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

This position is part of the Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement must meet the PLC Eligibility Requirements to be considered for this position. Members may be eligible for a federal hiring authority upon completion of their term of service and 640 hours of service. If the duration of a PLC-eligible term is not long enough for Members to accrue 640 hours of service (~16 weeks), the total hours served at the completion of the term may be eligible to be combined with hours accrued from another PLC-eligible term to meet the 640 hours requirement. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age (You must be between the ages of 16 and 30. Some agencies also interpret these guidelines to include veterans up to age 35) and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general eligibility information on our website.

Housing: Housing is provided in shared NPS Housing at no cost to applicant

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.

Qualifications

Required:

• Members must be authorized to work in the United States. ACE does not provide sponsorship for employment visas.
• 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). Members must be 21+ to drive due to ACE's insurance and liability requirements.
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required criminal history checks
• 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 website located on our Indeed homepage.

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 botany, ecology, biology, natural resources, environmental science, or a related field.
• Experience with invasive plant management or restoration.
• Experience identifying and managing native and non-native plants.
• Experience using GPS and GIS software.

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.
• 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 35 lbs., ability to move up to 50 pounds.
• Environmental: may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland conditions, biting insects, and potentially dangerous wildlife, and poisonous plants. The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/members or resources.
• Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise such gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools.
• 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, 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 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 our 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 Eastern Member Manager, Emily Oostveen.

If you meet at least 70 percent of the qualifications, we want to hear from you!

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.