American Conservation Experience (ACE) is a dynamic non-profit organization dedicated to providing rewarding environmental service opportunities that harness the idealism and energy of a volunteer labor force to help restore America's public lands. ACE has a national reputation for providing exceptional training and support to enable young adult crews to safely and economically implement technically complex and physically demanding conservation projects for the US Forest Service, BLM, National Park Service, USFWS and numerous state and local land management partners. 

Job Title: Associate Director of Operations, Eastern Division 

Location: This position is based out of Asheville, North Carolina.  This is an on-site position with some opportunities for limited local telework.  

Department/Division: CREW, Eastern Division 

Status: Regular Full-Time, Salaried (Exempt) 

Reports To: Eastern Division Director 

Schedule/Hours: Full-time, 40 hours/week (Monday - Friday, flexible hours, expected to be on duty during ACE Core Business Hours of 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm Eastern time).  Some adjustment of hours is expected to accommodate specific projects and program needs. Some evening and weekend hours may be occasionally required.

 Travel: Occasional domestic travel required, less than 25% 

Start Date: July 14, 2025 

Grade: 4 Eastern Division Program Summary: ACE’s Eastern Division provides crews to carry out a variety of environmental conservation projects on lands east of the Mississippi River, with occasional projects farther west.  The Crew model focuses on professional development, training, and skill development for early-career crew members through delivering high-value conservation work to the land agencies and communities where we work.  The Eastern Division also supports projects in Caribbean US territories. 

Position Summary: This is an office-based position responsible for strategic oversight and management of the field operations department within the ACE Eastern Crew Division. The Associate Director of Operations works closely with the Division Director and the Associate Director of Member Programs to support ACE staff and crew members and ensure that all projects and programs are well managed and safely completed.  The Associate Director maintains strong relationships with land management partners to develop project scopes and implementation plans as well as ensure high quality project deliverables. The Associate Director of Operations will frequently interact with ACE’s staff, members, project partners, and the general public, and as such is expected to maintain a professional demeanor, positive attitude, and willingness to act as an ambassador of ACE’s program at all times. The Associate Director will need to be flexible, adaptable, organized, and enthusiastic while working in both fast-paced office and field based environments. Leadership and forward-thinking are important assets in this position as the Division continues to grow.   

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

Strategic Leadership & Program Oversight

• Foster a culture and environment that positions ACE for success and ensures that ACE is the program of choice for partners, members and staff.
• Lead the implementation of the Division’s strategic vision for work quality, safety, professionalism, and operational efficiency across the field program.
• Drive innovation in operational strategy, training models, project design, and partnership recruitment and development to increase program productivity and to meet changing partner and organizational needs.

Personnel Leadership & Team Management

• Hire, train, and supervise all Operations support staff in the division (Project Managers and Logistics Coordinator), ensuring clear role expectations, professional development, and accountability.
• Supervise and support Logistics Coordinator in management of vehicle fleet, driver training and safety, meal planning and food provisions for projects, and routine maintenance of crew member housing.
• Equitably assign projects to Project Managers based on skill sets, workload, and opportunities for growth.
• In collaboration with Senior Project Manager, hire and train all Crew Leaders, track certifications, support professional development, and manage performance issues.
• Provide supplementary operational support by directly managing complex or overflow projects during high-demand periods or staff shortages.
• Ensure Project Managers have equipment, support, and systems to implement safe, productive crews.

HR Process Management & Staff Support

• Process HR documentation for Operations team staff, including hiring paperwork, onboarding documents, performance evaluations, disciplinary actions, and offboarding procedures.
• Maintain a professional and empathetic approach to staff support, especially when working with young adults who may be encountering workplace stressors, interpersonal challenges, or mental health concerns for the first time.
• Help foster a supportive and inclusive work environment while still holding individuals accountable to safety, performance, and behavioral expectations.
• Navigate complex interpersonal dynamics and conduct difficult conversations, offering coaching, de-escalation, and referrals when needed.
• Understand the uniquely stressful nature of conservation fieldwork—long hours, remote settings, and high expectations—which elevate the likelihood and intensity of mental health concerns. Proactively create space for check-ins, normalize seeking support, and provide appropriate interventions.

Project Planning, Execution, and Quality Assurance

• Conduct pre-project site visits and assist Division Director in developing technical proposals with clear work plans, deliverables, and pricing based on ACE’s cost structure.
• Operate across a wide range of climate zones—from alpine forests to wetlands—often in inhospitable or logistically difficult environments. Understand these conditions in detail to safely and efficiently deploy crews.
• Advise Project Managers on technical implementation of complex projects and ensure the right equipment, staff, and resources are aligned with project goals.
• Maintain expert working knowledge of ACE's core project types; maintain an Operations staff with training and experience suitable to deliver high quality work in: trail construction, trail maintenance, dry stone masonry, historical restoration, fencing, habitat restoration (mechanical and non-mechanical), and others
• Oversee maintenance, inventory, and scheduling of vehicles, tools and equipment, and food provisions in collaboration with Logistics Coordinator, Project Managers, and other team members.
• Conduct routine field audits to assess crew professionalism, safety adherence, and quality of technical execution.
• Serve as a visible field presence to reinforce expectations, correct course as needed, and gather real-time feedback from crews, Project Managers, and partners.

Safety & Risk Management

• Lead the development, enforcement, and continuous improvement of ACE safety policies and field protocols.
• Adapt risk assessments and safety plans to suit the diverse environmental and geographic conditions where ACE crews work, including temperature extremes, high elevations, wildfire risk, remoteness, and wildlife exposure.
• Collaborate with the Program Safety Manager to implement preventative strategies and respond to emerging risks.
• Serve as the division's primary responder and investigator for safety concerns, incident reports, and emergency scenarios.  Coordinate with the Program Safety Manager and others to conduct timely and effective incident debriefs.
• When scheduled, be available for on-call emergencies, providing real-time leadership and support to field staff even outside normal working hours.  Each member of the Division support staff is scheduled for on-call responsibilities an average of one week every two months.
• Serve as the division’s emergency escalation contact, providing availability for serious issues ranging from field injuries to vehicle incidents to interpersonal crises.
• Lead or advise on incident response in collaboration with Project Managers, Crew Leaders, and national staff.

Partner Engagement & Relationship Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with land management agency partners, balancing ACE capabilities with partner needs and expectations.
• Coordinate planning and feedback meetings before and after projects.
• Act as the division’s escalation point for partner concerns and take lead on resolving moderate disputes or logistical complications.

Training & Capacity Building

• Organize and allocate resources for training programs that support safe, effective project implementation.  Arrange supplemental, project-specific training as necessary.
• Oversee Crew Leader Orientation and other division-specific training to ensure consistency and technical rigor.
• Support the creation and maintenance of SOPs for field operations, including safety talks, herbicide log sheets, field documentation, and incident response procedures.
• Ensure Project Managers, Crew Leaders, and members have the required training for the work they are performing.

Administrative & Operational Accountability

• Oversee all feedback systems related to operations or project deliverables and follow up on concerns with corrective actions.
• Ensure accurate completion of all project documentation and federal grant reporting.
• Track and analyze program metrics to inform operational strategy, staffing, and resource needs.
• Oversee project budgets, aligning spending with grant deliverables and ensuring financial accountability.
• Collaborate with the Division Director to explore new project opportunities and funding streams.
• Ensure accurate administration of Workers Compensation claims and OSHA records.
• As needed, provide support and thought partnership to ACE’s crew work in the Caribbean, led by the Division Director and the Caribbean Project Manager.

Project Scoping, Assessment & Pricing

• Conduct site assessments to evaluate project complexity and alignment with ACE capabilities.
• Collaborate with partners to clarify project goals and logistical needs.
• In collaboration with the Division Director, develop detailed, fundable project proposals and competitive bids using ACE's pricing model and cost structure.
• Ensure labor estimates, deliverables, risk mitigation, and safety strategies are realistic and aligned with both partner expectations and ACE's operational capacities.
• Contribute subject-matter expertise on scoping, pricing, and feasibility of new or unique projects.

Responsibilities and tasks outlined are not exhaustive and may change as determined by ACE.

Experience and Qualifications:

Required

• Bachelor's degree and three years of related professional experience.  An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted for the Bachelor's degree (AA+4 years or 5 years related professional experience). Specialized training, certifications, or license may be required for certain positions. Substitutions must be stated at the time the position is recruited.
• Considerable experience and demonstrable knowledge of methods, materials, tools, and techniques used in a wide variety of conservation field work including environmental restoration, trail construction and maintenance, and other conservation tasks. 
• Practical knowledge of or experience with similar corps-oriented, non-profit organizations, land-based federal agencies such as the Department of Interior or other federal or state agencies.
• Ability to prevent, analyze and resolve safety issues; possess knowledge of safety procedures as applied to field operations and experience in encouraging and enforcing compliance with safety policies.
• Outstanding organizational and time management skills with the ability to maintain and effectively support a complex array of projects 
• Strong organizational and communication skills and experience leading, training and motivating diverse groups of young adults in a safe, organized and professional manner.
• Commitment to ACE's mission of public service through young adult development and volunteerism.
• Willingness and ability to communicate and coordinate internally within ACE and with external stakeholders and partners. 
• Willingness to travel to field sites and work occasional weekends
• Computer skills required including intermediate knowledge of Excel and professional email etiquette; data management skills preferred. 
• Ability to function as an efficient, effective and adaptable team member displaying professional-level proficiencies in both technical and interpersonal skills. 
• Ability to perform work under pressure and meet deadlines 
• Ability to adapt to surrounding work environment and conditions that can change frequently 
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers and supervisors 
• Ability to receive and provide constructive feedback. 
• Ability to prepare and maintain records and reports. 
• Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions. 
• Ability to understand and follow ACE systems and processes. 
• Proven ability to work independently and be a positive, contributing member of a group. 

Preferred

• Knowledge of laws, regulations, rules, and policies governing field operations in environmentally sensitive areas 
• Relevant professional certifications such as Wilderness First Aid or Wilderness First Responder, machine operator, pesticide applicator license, sawyer certifications 

Other Requirements:

• Must be authorized to work in the U.S.
• Valid driver's license and an insurable driving record.
• Proficient in English.
• Ability to pass a federal criminal background check.
• Willing to abide by ACE Policy and Federal Drug Free workplace policies and laws. ACE reserves the right to drug test at any time.

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 computer keyboard/mouse and other routine office equipment.  May occasionally be required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch.  Site visits and field work require travel to field sites via four wheel drive vehicles, fixed wing aircraft, and/or boats; 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 10 lbs., occasionally moves up to 75 pounds.
• Environmental: Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.  Field sites involve exposure to adverse weather, i.e., rain, snow, wind, cold and/or heat, with outdoor Air Quality Index numbers occasionally and possibly exceeding 200.
• Travel: This position requires domestic travel.

Salary: Annualized starting salary of $60,000 - $65,000 (assuming 40 hours/week 52 weeks/year), depending on experience.

Medical/Health Benefits: ACE offers competitive medical and ancillary plans (health, mental health, dental, vision and other supplemental benefits). ACE Staff members are also eligible to participate in ACE's 403b retirement plan with a 3% employer contribution.

Holidays, Vacation, and Sick Time: As an ACE staff member, you will be eligible to accrue up to 80 hours of paid vacation time annually during your first two years of continuous employment, then it increases to 120 hours annually. ACE observes 13 paid annual holidays (floating holiday flexibility). ACE provides 10 days (or 80 hours) of paid sick time annually.

Additional Benefits: 

Outdoor Perks - As an ACE staff member, you will be eligible to receive pro deals which include deep discounts on outdoor gear providing 30 - 50% off retail prices on 100’s of established outdoor gear brands.

Trainings and Certifications - Associate Director of Operations may receive industry recognized certifications provided by ACE including:

• Wilderness First Aid (WFA) - equivalent cost of $280 and is a two-year certificate with recertification options.
• 32-hour Chainsaw Training based on the NWCG S-212 training with the possibility of receiving an official Forest Service Saw Certification.

Phone Provided or Reimbursement Option: You have the option to select one of the following options: ACE work phone device/number provided or monthly phone reimbursement for personal device/number use.

To Apply: Please submit a resume, one-page cover letter and contact for three professional/academic references to the application link. Qualified applicants will be contacted by email to arrange an interview. Applicants must follow all application instructions in order to be considered for this opportunity. This position may close at any time.

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.

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