Boulder Trail Crew Member

Summary:

Join American Conservation Experience in Boulder, CO, and enjoy serving on meaningful conservation projects throughout the Southwest while gaining experience in trail work. This opportunity is intended for those looking to learn valuable skills for their career while immersed in a community of like-minded young professionals from around the country. Members will serve for 20 weeks on trail maintenance and construction projects, all while completing a term of AmeriCorps service. While serving, members typically have 3 days off between projects to enjoy Colorado'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 Dates: Jun 2, 2025

Estimated End Date: October 24th, 2024

Location: Boulder, Colorado

Your crew will spend about 5 months working closely with the Boulder Open Space Mountain Parks crew (OSMP), maintaining trails within Boulder.

The Open Space Mountain Parks project is an organization tasked with managing green spaces within Boulder, CO. They have a dedicated trail crew who you will be working closely with (some are former ACErs!).

This season will involve general routine trail maintenance, likely in the beginning of the season, with additional focused trail projects including: timber work and stone work

Schedule: Project schedules vary greatly, but typically members in Boulder serve 4 days on/ 3 days off.

Benefits: Member compensation and benefits include a package valued at over $2,000/mo.

Members will receive a Living Allowance of $400/week, paid bi-weekly.

Members may be eligible to obtain an Education Award for the amount of $2,817.14/week upon successful completion of service. Please note, AmeriCorps position eligibility is not guaranteed and may not be available for all positions.

ACE provides members with food during all project days; members are responsible for providing their own food on off-days.

ACE provides members with free hostel-style housing during their term of service in Boulder, Colorado. The member will provide their own blankets/pillow/sleeping bag/towels.

AmeriCorps members may also be eligible for qualifying child care coverage and federal loan forbearance. Additional enrollment steps are required.

Gear: ACE provides each member with their own tent. The member will provide their own sleeping bag, sleeping pad, rain gear, and hiking boots. Upon acceptance to the program, members will receive a more extensive packing list. Weather can be highly variable, so plan to bring layers of warm clothing and adequate rain gear. Members will have access to deeply discounted Pro Deals via Outdoor Prolink once they are offered and accept a position and will have the opportunity to purchase discounted gear prior to their arrival.

Travel: ACE provides transportation to and from worksites; however bringing personal vehicles is recommended throughout the member's term of service to provide off day transportation. ACE does not provide relocation assistance.

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 conservation. 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 City of Boulder's Open Space Mountain Parks.

Fieldwork and additional responsibilities might include but are not limited to:

• Trail construction and maintenance
• Dry and wet stone masonry

Members get experience with, or in conjunction with, the following tools and equipment, depending on their level of training:

• Trail Maintenance: Pick mattocks, Pulaskis, shovels, single/double jacks, McLeods, single-bit axes, rock bars, chisels, crosscut saws, and grip hoists.

Qualifications: Applicants should be prepared to perform physically challenging labor on environmental and conservation projects for 10 hours a day. Applicants should expect to hike extended distances on rough terrain carrying backpacks, tools, and equipment and be prepared to spend 8 consecutive days in the field on project. Members will work in a variety of weather conditions, such as temperatures ranging from below-freezing to over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, high winds, intense sunshine, rain, and snow.

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 moderate distances in somewhat rough terrain during inclement weather conditions
• Willingness to undergo and must pass the required three-part criminal history check (National Sex Offender Registry check, Arizona state criminal history check, federal criminal history check)

Preferred:

• Experience in hiking and navigation in steep terrain
• Strong desire to enter the conservation field as a natural resource professional
• Experience or interest in volunteering in local communities

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 or equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Ability to hike 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 25 lbs., ability to move up to 60 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can frequently change when working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
• Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise, such as gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools.
• Travel: This position requires 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 safely and orderly so as not to endanger themself, fellow staff/members, or resources.

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 cover letter, and provide at least 2 references that are either professional or from a community leader (e.g., colleagues, teachers, counselors, religious leaders, career advisors) using the APPLY NOW section located on the upper right-hand corner of the position listing to apply using ACE's online application portal.

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 contact Sara Henderson at shenderson@usaconservation.org.

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.