Vegetation Management Lead - Saguaro National Park

Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Saguaro National Park is seeking one member to contribute to Vegetation Management projects alongside NPS Staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit our usaconservation website.

Start Date: June 16, 2025

Estimated End Date: November 29, 2025

*a 24 week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description:

Saguaro National Park is located outside of the city of Tucson, AZ. The park is host to camping, hiking, and backpacking trails for every level of adventurer. The park protects its namesake, our nation's largest species of cacti, the giant saguaro. Summers in the Sonoran Desert can be extremely hot with temperatures exceeding 110 degrees and evening lows averaging 72 degrees. Winters present comfortable daytime temperatures in the 60s with cooler nighttime temperatures averaging 40 degrees. Access to all major amenities can be found in the town of Tucson which is a quick 20-minute drive from the park.

For more information about Saguaro National Park, please visit the NPS website.

Position Overview: ACE Members will be working in Saguaro National Park's Science and Resource Management Division with the majority of the duties associated with invasive plant control. ACE Members will join a team made up of biologists, biological technicians, volunteers, and interns. Projects will take place in both districts of Saguaro National Park in Tucson. ACE Members will be provided training in plant identification, plant removal, herbicide use and mixing, mapping with GPS and GIS, data collection, and specialized backcountry survey techniques. Occasional backcountry work will be done in the upper elevations of the park (up to 8,600') and involve camping. Duties may also include wildlife friendly fence conversion, frog surveys, water surveys, tortoise monitoring, saguaro monitoring, abandoned mine restoration work, surveying and documenting human impacts on natural landscapes, seed collection, and volunteer engagement.

Invasive Plant Control:

This work is primarily manual and chemical treatment of invasive plants. Safety and herbicide training will be provided. For chemical applications, members will be required to work with approved concentrated herbicides and diluted solutions. Members will be required by law to follow all appropriate safety guidelines and wear appropriate personal protective equipment. The majority of work will take place in the backcountry, however projects may occur alongside roads and trails as well. The member must be able to handle hiking and in extreme weather conditions and across rugged desert terrain. Work areas are often difficult to reach and navigate and may require the use of high clearance vehicles and GPS tools.

ACE Members may be involved in ongoing or new monitoring associated with herbicides and invasive plants within the Park. The members will map localized infestations and areas treated by the resource management team. Work includes knowledge and use of GPS, ESRI products such as Field Maps and Survey123, and GIS software (ArcPro) to record, enter, and process data. GPS units may also be used for navigation while in the field.

The Crew Lead will be responsible for safety calls, judgment calls on field work, assessing field conditions and adapting and working around field issues.

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:

This is a full-time position and members are expected to contribute up to 40 hrs a week, during the regular work week.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $800/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

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 on our usaconservation website.

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or the National Park Service. However, there will be a monthly housing reimbursement of $400.

Gear Allowance: ACE members will have up to $250 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position 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 federal land management policies, vegetation management, herbicide application and safety, data collection and processing, along with an assortment of other topics. Abundant opportunities will be available to be cross trained on the following resource management activities: wildlife friendly fence conversion, frog surveys, water surveys, tortoise monitoring, saguaro monitoring, abandoned mine restoration work, surveying and documenting human impacts on natural landscapes, seed collection, and volunteer engagement.

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 park criminal history check
• 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 usaconservation website

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a bachelor's degree and/or have relevant experience in environmental science, botany, ecosystem restoration, natural resource management, or related discipline.
• Previous experience leading others in resource management activities.
• Knowledge and ability to use GIS/ GPS equipment in the field.
• Ability and willingness to hike and spend long hours in the backcountry.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent standing, walking, hiking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talking and hearing. Ability to hike over rough terrain, and camp overnight under field conditions.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 20 lbs., ability to move up to 40 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates. Physically demanding work in extreme heat may be common.

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 self, 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 NPS. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the site. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), provided by the NPS will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to NPS 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 the online application page for this position on our usaconservation website. Early consideration will be given as resumes are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact our Western Member Manager, Vanessa Rogan.

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.

Salary : $800