Pacific West Backcountry Trail Conservation Crew Member
5 days ago
Sacramento
Job Description 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 crews serve in Yosemite National Park, Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park, Death Valley National Park, on the Pacific Crest Trail, in coastal State Parks, on the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, and in numerous other inspiring locations. We have 3 branches to serve from! Choose between base locations in Sacramento, Coachella Valley, and Ridgecrest, California. This opportunity is intended for those looking to focus on improving backcountry 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 backcountry projects including 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: 04/20/2026 End Date: 07/29/2026 Location: Sacramento, CA (branch location) Klamath County, OR (working location) This is a three month long backcountry trails project located in the Gearhart Mountain Wilderness of the Fremont–Winema National Forest. Crew Members will arrive in Sacramento, CA to participate in an orientation and training, and then re-locate to Oregon where they will spend the remainder of their term of service. Transportation will be provided back to Sacramento upon completion of the project for departure from the program. Schedule: Members will typically serve 8 consecutive 10 hour days in the field, followed by 6 consecutive days off. For this remote project, members spend off-days near the project location in Klamath Falls, OR. 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, • 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 campsite accommodations. When working remotely, members will be camping onsite. The member will provide their own blankets/pillow/sleeping bag/towels. Travel: ACE provides transportation to and from worksites; personal vehicles are not necessary throughout the member's term of service. An ACE vehicle will be accessible for off-day use. ACE does not provide relocation assistance to Sacramento. 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 while focusing specifically on backcountry trail skills. Members may also receive Wilderness First Aid (WFA), Chainsaw, and/or Crosscut Training. 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, • Logouts, • Drainage and Drainage Structures, • Backcountry camping and cooking, • 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. 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], • Experience in hiking, backpacking and navigation for long distances in steep terrain, • Experience in backcountry settings for extended periods of time, • Strong desire to enter the conservation field as a natural resource professional, • 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. 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 Northern California Program Manager: Carlee Koritkowski () 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.