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Vegetation & Resource Protection Member
Summary
American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with National Park Service (NPS), Southeast Utah Group is seeking members to contribute to Vegetation & Resource Protection work, mainly focused on assessing and repairing boundary fences/gates/signs, and addressing trespass cattle issues over the winter season.
For more information about ACE, please visit our website.
Start Date: 11/02/2026
Estimated End Date: 2/20/2027
*a 16-week minimum commitment is required. Position may be extended based on project needs.*
Location Details/Description: Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Parks with potential work in Natural Bridges and Hovenweep National Monuments (Moab, Utah duty station).
For more information about Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Parks, please visit the NPS website.
Position Overview:
ACE Members will assist NPS staff in performing inventory and assessment of park boundary fences, gates, and signs. Members will be responsible for reporting inventory results to park management to direct maintenance staff in fence enhancement and repairs. Members may make minor fence repairs to remote sections of fence. They may also coordinate volunteer projects to repair park fencing. Members may be responsible for locating trespass cattle within the park and coordinating with NPS staff in contacting BLM grazing managers and ranchers to assist in their removal.
After training, the Member will often serve independently and must be able to drive a government vehicle to work sites. Members will also assist staff in other resource management activities, including invasive plant management and other ecological restoration work, air quality and spring flow monitoring. In this field-intensive position, specific tasks may include hand-pulling invasive plants, herbicide application, seed collection and seeding of native species. If appropriate and safe, Members may assist NPS staff in basic, non-technical Search and Rescue function as needed (i.e. litter carries).
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: Members will typically work Mon-Thurs, 10-hour days (usually 7am-5:30pm), though this can vary depending on project needs. Flexibility is possible with approval from the NPS supervisor. Assisting with backcountry field operations could require the member to work up to 8 days straight followed by 6 days off.
Position Benefits
Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $800/week (Housing included) or $900/week (Housing not included) to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.
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 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 and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general eligibility information on our usaconservation website.
Housing: ACE members can be accommodated in provided housing for the duration of their term.
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 using GPS for survey work/data collection and herbicide application for invasive plant management.
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.
• Members 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 degree in biology, environmental science, natural resources, range or recreation management and/or have relevant experience in these subjects, as well as experience in plant identification and vegetation management.
• Knowledge of plant identification and invasive plant management.
• Ability and willingness to perform manual labor in the field, including fencing repairs and invasive plant management.
• Deep interest in natural resource protection and stewardship.
• Proven ability to perform field work during the short, colder days of the winter season.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent standing, walking, hiking, carrying up to 50lbs, 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, crouch, and sit for extended periods while using a computer or driving. Ability to hike over rough terrain and camp overnight under field conditions is required.
• 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 50 lbs.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates including extreme heat/cold, wind and rain or snow. For office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled.
• Noise Environment: Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
• Travel: This position will not require travel beyond Southeast Utah, but may require overnight camping in remote backcountry locations for up to one week at a time.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE members 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: NPS will provide vehicles and any tools required for the accomplishment of duties. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by NPS. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), provided by 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 the Western NPS Member Manager, Sabrina Caruso.
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 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.