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Gulf Islands Conservation Crew Member - Pensacola, FL LOCALS ONLY

Summary:

American Conservation Experience (ACE) is a nationwide non-profit Conservation Corps in Asheville (NC), in partnership with AmeriCorps.

ACE is seeking 3 Local Corps Members dedicated to serving 8 weeks (300 Hours) at Gulf Islands National Seashore (Pensacola, FL). The Florida local ACE crew would be doing invasive plant species management utilizing both herbicide and physical removal of the plants. There will be a focus on the removal of certain grasses and beach vitex. Members will have the opportunity to work alongside park volunteers, biologists, and National Park Service staff.

Additionally, members will be given the opportunity to hear from NPS staff from leaders in conservation to discuss and explore career opportunities, career paths, challenges, strategies, and successes they've experienced during their journey. Participants will gain hands-on experience, job skills, and readiness for successful employment with the National Park Service and other agencies and organizations.

Corps Members volunteer their energy and enthusiasm, working long hours in adverse weather conditions.

Gulf Islands National Seashore is the nation's largest national seashore and it stretches over 160 miles and two states! It is a beautiful park along the northern coast of the Gulf of America in Mississippi and Florida and includes barrier islands, maritime forests, historic forts, bayous, and marine habitat. Thousands of animals live, nest, and hunt at Gulf Islands National Seashore including 12 federally listed threatened or endangered species. Five sea turtle species call the waters off of the Gulf Island their home and over 300 species of birds visit the areas nearby, which is also why Gulf Islands National Seashore is part of the Great Florida Birding Trail! The park also provides many different ways for visitors to explore, such as taking a ferry ride, boating, fishing, hiking or even snorkeling and diving.

Start Date and First day in Field: 9/13/2026

Estimated End Date: 11/8/2026

Location: Gulf Islands National Seashore, Pensacola, FL, USA. Daily meeting place will be at Park Headquarters - 1801 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Gulf Breeze Fl, 32563

Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8 hours a day, starting at around 7am

Benefits: Members will receive a Living Allowance of $600/week, paid bi-weekly.

Corps Members who successfully complete their term are eligible for an Education Award for an amount of $1,565.08 for a 300-hour position upon successful completion of service. This is a short term with very limited buffer time included for unexpected missed time and no opportunities for extending or starting early. It will be members' responsibility to make up any lost time (up to 20 hours) by doing Volunteer Service Projects that relate to conservation work. Not meeting the 300 hour requirement will result in the member not receiving the Education Award.

ACE provides Corps Members with lunch and snacks on field project days; dietary restrictions can be accommodated. ACE members also qualify for food stamps during their terms of service.

This position is only open to candidates who live near Gulf Islands National Seashore (Pensacola Beach) and have their own housing and transportation. Housing will NOT be provided. Crew members will commute to and from a meeting spot near the park everyday.

Gear: ACE provides each member with their work shirts and any Personal Protection Equipment (PPE-helmet, safety glasses, gloves). The members will provide their own work pants, rain gear, and boots. Upon acceptance to the program, Corps Members will receive a more extensive packing list.

Travel: Personal vehicles are necessary throughout the member's term of service to get to and from the job meeting point everyday. Once all members arrive at the meeting point, they will be transported in a shared ACE vehicle to and from the worksites. ACE does not provide relocation assistance.

AmeriCorps members may also be eligible for qualifying child care coverage and federal loan forbearance. Additional enrollment steps are required.

Position Description:

Corps 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, and will gain invaluable career perspectives working alongside staff from the National Park Service and other stewards of our nation's public lands.

Field work and other duties might include but are not limited to:

• Using herbicide in various ways (backpack foliar sprayer, hand sprayer, daubers, ect.)

• Hand pulling vegetation

• Using hand tools to remove vegetation

Corps Members get experience working with or in conjunction with the following tools and equipment, depending on their level of training:

• Hand tools: rakes, hand saws, and loppers

• Power Tools and Gas Powered Equipment: Brush-cutters

Qualifications:

Applicants must be capable of performing physically demanding labor on environmental and conservation projects for 8 hours a day. Applicants should expect to hike extended distances on rough terrain carrying up to 40 lbs for daily tasks. Corps Members will work in a variety of weather conditions such as temperatures ranging up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit, high winds, intense sunshine, and rain. Weather precautions will be taken for hot weather conditions (e.g. additional breaks).

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 moderate distances in somewhat rough terrain during inclement weather conditions

• Ability and willingness to undergo a Federal criminal background check

Preferred:

• Experience using herbicide or pesticide
• Knowledge of local invasive and native plant species

• 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 over rough terrain.

• 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 [25] 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 as 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). Visit usaconservation.org to view other listings, and use the APPLY NOW section located on the upper right hand corner of the position listing to apply using ACE's online application portal.

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 Sydney Seng at sseng@usaconservation.org or 828.490.1775

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.

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.