Traditional Trades Advancement Program (TTAP) Member – Landscape Stewardship Corps – John Muir National Historic Site

Summary American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service’s John Muir National Historic Site, is seeking two members to contribute to landscape stewardship projects alongside John Muir National Historic Site Staff.

The Traditional Trades Advancement Program-Landscape Stewardship Corps is intended for enthusiastic individuals who possess an interest in gaining experience in the field of landscape preservation or horticulture. No background or previous experience in horticulture or historic preservation is necessary.

For more information about the National Park Service’s Traditional Trades Advancement Program (TTAP) – Landscape Stewardship Corps please visit: https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1098/landscape-stewardship-corps.htm

For more information about ACE, please visit: www.usaconservation.org.

Start Date: June 3, 2024

Estimated End Date: November 29, 2024

*a 26-week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: About twenty miles east of San Francisco, in Martinez, California the beautiful John Muir National Historic Site celebrates the home and legacy of the “father of the National Park Service.” The interns may also work at nearby Eugene O’Neill National Historic Site, Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial and Rosie the Riveter/WW2 Home Front National Monument. The town of Martinez where John Muir NHS is located is a quaint and historic small city known as the birthplace of Joe DiMaggio and the martini cocktail. For more information about John Muir National Historic Site please visit: https://www.nps.gov/jomu/index.htm

Position Overview: The ACE members will start their season reading and learning to review cultural landscape reports to understand treatment and preservation horticulture as it relates to the work in the field. Specific landscaping and preservation maintenance tasks will include pruning of fruit trees, fertilization and irrigation, irrigation management and repair, pest control of gophers and deer in the landscape. Additionally, the ACE members will learn structural Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to exclude pests from historic structures. Other landscaping tasks will be completed such as mowing, weeding, mulching, and pruning of a variety of historic and non-historic plant material such as vines, shrubs, and native plants. The ACE members will be included in as many facility, grounds, and non-facility projects as possible, such as joining natural resource staff and interns in the course of their work, to illustrate the differences and intersections between natural and cultural resource management. This may include trail work, invasive plant management, bird and snake monitoring.

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: Mon-Fri, 7:00a – 3:30p.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute about 40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $720/week 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. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general information online https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements.

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or the NPS. The intern will receive a $125 weekly housing allowance.

Professional Development Stipend: The ACE Member will receive $1,000 of professional development funds that can be used for approved purposes.

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 will include OSHA-10 Certification and a Landscape Stewardship Fundamentals course.

Qualifications

Required:

• Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, as required by U.S. government contracts.
• 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).
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required two-part criminal history
• 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.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold a minimum of a High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Willingness to learn and work as part of a team.
• Interest in horticulture, gardening, and/or tree care.

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, and camp overnight under field conditions.
• 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 25 lbs., ability to move up to 50 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates. Mainly indoor, office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled.
• Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise such as gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools. Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
• 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 and hilly terrain, biting insects, poison oak, and potentially dangerous wildlife such as rattlesnakes and ticks. 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. 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 the online application page for this position here: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/. 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 Member Coordinator, HPTC Programs, Kyle Ellison, at kellison@usaconservation.org.

EEO: 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.