Planning

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management Eastern Interior Field Office, is seeking one Caribou Herd Planning Member to contribute to Fortymile Caribou Herd management planning alongside Bureau of Land Management Staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Start Date : January / February 2025 (contingent upon passing a government backgroundcheck)

Estimated End Date : 50 weeks after the start date

a 50-week minimum commitment is required

Location Details / Description : The Eastern Interior Field Office manages 6.5 million acres of public lands in east-central Alaska.

Its area includes the White Mountains National Recreation Area near Fairbanks, the adjacent Steese National Conservation Area and three Wild and Scenic Rivers : Birch Creek, Beaver Creek and the Fortymile River.

The office also manages the Pinnell Mountain National Recreation Trail and historic Fort Egbert in Eagle. To cover its far-flung territory, which includes six public campgrounds and numerous other recreational facilities, the office maintains summer field stations in Central, Chicken, and Eagle.

For more information about Eastern Interior Field Office, please visit the BLM website.

Position Overview : Harvest of the Fortymile Caribou Herd (FMCH) is primarily managed by the State of Alaska, Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G).

Under delegation from the Federal Subsistence Board (FSB), the BLM manages the Federal subsistence harvest in close cooperation with ADF&G, as well as the National Park Service (NPS), the U.

S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), and the Eastern Interior Subsistence Regional Advisory Council (EIRAC). The State of Alaska is beginning the process of engaging with partners, including the BLM, to develop a new Fortymile Caribou Herd Harvest Plan.

BLM's interests include helping develop a robust plan that can guide sustainable management of a declining herd with high hunter demand and to reduce the potential for conservation-driven restrictions.

The Bureau of Land Management also manages a large portion of the FMCH habitat and has an interest in coordinating habitat management to support robust herd management.

BLM also seeks to improve Indigenous engagement in herd and habitat management, either in conjunction with or separate from the harvest management plan.

The ACE member in this position will be able to work alongside the Eastern Interior Field Office Wildlife Biologist and Field Manager.

With the creation of a new plan and council for the Fortymile Caribou Herd Harvest this member may have the opportunity to interact with other government agencies, non profits, and Alaskan users of the Fortymile herd, including Alaskan Natives.

During their term of service the Caribou Herd Planning Member will gain knowledge of the federal subsistence framework in Alaska and Title 8 of ANILCA (Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act).

Examples of potential duties are :

• Review and edit draft documents.
• Work with partners to coordinate and schedule meetings and arrange meeting logistics.
• Take and organize meeting notes.
• As needed, assist meeting facilitators hired by other partners with arranging and conducting meetings.
• Provide input to public outreach materials.
• Accompany BLM managers and biologists at interagency meetings.
• Work with BLM managers, staff, and Tribal liaisons to engage Tribal and indigenous stakeholders in discussions and information exchange regarding Fortymile Herd use and management.
• Participate in a habitat exclosure study to monitor the effects of caribou on vegetation.
• Organize, compile, and analyze caribou and other wildlife and habitat data.

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 : The majority of the work will be in the BLM office during regular business hours (between 7 : 45 and 5 : 00, M-F), around 35 hours per week.

Office work will be computer work, in-person and virtual meetings. Lunch times are flexible, and we're flexible about start / end times.

Field work may include weekends, depending on the project.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance : The ACE Member is expected to contribute 35 hours / week and will receive a living allowance of $700 / week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

The living allowance is a fixed rate determined by the Bureau of Land Management 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 eligibility information on our website.

Housing : Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or Bureau of Land Management.

Housing Assistance : ACE Members will be eligible for reimbursable housing assistance up to $200 per week. The ACE Member will only be reimbursed for approved and demonstrated housing expenses.

Relocation Assistance : ACE members will have access to up to $1,000 to be used for eligible relocation expenses. Further details regarding distribution of these funds will be provided during the interview process.

Gear Assistance : ACE members will have up to $500 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes, rain gear and rubber boots, and must be approved by ACE staff prior to purchase.

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 may include UTV / ATV, Aviation safety, snowmobile, wilderness first aid, large wildlife safety and awareness.

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 criminal history checks
• 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.
• Member may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website.

Preferred :

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a minimum of a natural resources degree and / or have relevant experience in subject areas such as wildlife and resource management.
• All candidates are encouraged to apply, though local candidates will be strongly considered.
• Knowledge of data analysis (quantitative background).
• Basic knowledge of wildlife population dynamics.
• Ability and willingness to work with members of various federal and state management divisions and the public and public interest groups.
• Deep interest in the legal structure of natural resource management.

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 30 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.
• Noise Environment : Occasional moderate to high noise such gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools when in the field.

Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic when in office.

Travel : This position may require domestic travel to remote areas in Alaska.

Environmental Conditions / Hazards : The majority of work for this position will be office-based. However, during occasional field work, 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.

Vehicle and Equipment Use / Safety : If a vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties, one will be provided by the Bureau of Land Management or ACE.

Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the Bureau of Land Management. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the Bureau of Land Management , will be mandatory for any activity that requires it.

Strict adherence to Bureau of Land Manageent 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 ACE's online application page for this position on our website.

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 Project Manager - EPIC BLM / USFS, Anna-Louise Calliham.

ACE values an inclusive workforce - 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.

EEO : Employment with ACE is based upon ability, qualifications, attitude, and job-related factors. Every qualified employee 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, creed, sex, gender, national origin, pregnancy, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information (including of a family member), veteran or military status, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, 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.

EEO : Employment with ACE is based upon ability, qualifications, attitude, and job-related factors. Every qualified employee 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, creed, sex, gender, national origin, pregnancy, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information (including of a family member), veteran or military status, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, 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.

Last updated : 2024-11-14

Salary : $200 - $700