Summary

The American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Barstow Field Office, is seeking one (1) Resource and Recreation Member to contribute to a broad variety of ongoing projects alongside the BLM staff.

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

Start Date: June 2024 (depending on a federal background check)

Estimated End Date: 32 weeks after the start date (but with the potential to be extended)

*a 32-week minimum commitment is required*

Location Details/Description: Barstow, CA

The Barstow BLM Field office (BAFO) is responsible for the management of 3.0 million acres of public lands in the California Desert area which includes; 17 designated wilderness areas that comprise 691,598 acres, 3 remote campgrounds, 5 Congressionally designed open Off Highway Vehicle Recreation Area (OHV Areas) totally 181,300 acres, 6,486 miles of open designated routes, and numerous Areas of Critical Environmental Concern, and California Desert National Conservation Lands.

The BAFO has numerous resources and recreation staff along with extremely challenging projects to provide work experience to youth for their career and educational benefit. This will be accomplished by providing them opportunities to gain experience, learn about public lands, further their understanding and appreciation of natural and recreational resources, and pique their interest in public lands management. From this, they will gain an increased appreciation and understanding of our public lands and of the value of public service and will hopefully become lifelong advocates for those values.

For more information about the BLM Barstow Field Office, please visit https://www.blm.gov/barstow.

Position Overview: The Resources and Recreation Member will assist the BLM Barstow Field Office with various fieldwork throughout the resource area. This work includes completing a detailed inventory of trail conditions, assessing and calibrating Trafx field counters, providing maintenance support, and public interface.

Fieldwork will be conducted throughout the field office. There are numerous events, facilities, and programs that will require assistance. The participant can expect to work on various resource efforts, from inventory to restoration and from maintenance to visitor services. This is a multi-faceted project with opportunities to gain experience in recreation, operations, and resource management activities.

Additionally, the Member will be exposed to the Barstow FO's public outreach and social media operations by assisting with content development, post-production, and public outreach. Barstow has the highest level of web traffic in the BLM and the participant will have the opportunity to work with a team of seasoned professionals in the public information and outreach specialties.

The Member will assist with general maintenance work in the recreation sites as needed. This will mean working directly with the Recreation Park Rangers on occasional daily duties including public interface, fence/gate repair, road repair, trail repair, sign installation, etc.

Duties will include, but are not limited to:

• Assist in restoration activities in critical habitat units
• Identify, mark, and record both designated and undesignated routes within the restoration areas
• Support and assist BLM staff and contractors in monitoring, restoring, and designating restoration areas
• Conduct recreation visitor services in support of the OHV season
• Monitor and collect data required for compliance with the OHMVR Habitat Management Plans and associated surveys required
• Conduct trail assessment using G-Y-R standards on all trails throughout the Field Office
• Provide visitor services in the OHV areas during the busy holiday season
• Calibrate Trafx vehicle and trail counters to accurately capture visitor numbers.
• Repair and improve trails, campgrounds, fences, and other recreation facilities as needed
• Interface with public visitors providing area information and recreational opportunities

This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promote exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups.

Schedule: Flexible schedule with the option of working 4-10 hour days (6am or 7am to 4:30pm or 5:30pm), or 5-8 hour days (7:30am to 4:00pm) per week.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $800.00/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly. The living allowance is a fixed rate determined by the BLM and ACE and is not flexible.

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: ACE Members will be accommodated in provided housing from the Barstow FO that will be barracks-style housing at the Apple Valley Fire Center which is located 25 miles south of the Field Office at no cost for the duration of the term. If the member declines the barracks housing, no additional allowance will be provided. The Fire Center is located at 18809 Central Rd, Apple Valley, CA 92307.

Provided Training/Orientation: ACE members will receive an orientation outlining ACE policies and procedures, and networks for support. Specific training provided by the BLM may include an introduction to Basic Utility Terrian Vehicle (UTV) operation.

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 check and federal background check.
• 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.
• Ability and willingness to operate 4-wheel drive vehicles in rough and steep terrain.
• Ability to and willing to work outdoors, in varying weather conditions, participating in physical labor.
• Ability to use common software packages (Microsoft Access, Excel, and ArcGIS).

Preferred:

• Deep interest and background in Recreation Resource Management and Federal Land Management Policy.
• Deep interest in ecology and respect for nature.
• Familiarity with California Desert environments is a plus.
• Ability and willingness to hike cross country in a rugged environment one day and spend the next at a computer in an office.
• Ability and willingness to work in hot, arid desert conditions.
• Ability and willingness to collect GPS data via Survey123, Collector, or Fieldmaps and to move that data into GIS.
• Ability and willingness to communicate clearly and concisely with resource professionals.
• Ability and willingness to be highly motivated and perform assigned duties with little to no supervision.

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 is required for the use of various tools. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Ability to hike over rough terrain.
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: 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.
• 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 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 themself, 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 BLM or ACE. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the BLM. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the BLM, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to BLM and ACE equipment training, certification, and safety protocols is required.