Start Date: May 23rd, 2022
Approximate End Date: August 13th OR August 27th 2022

Work will be primarily in a backcountry setting on National Forest land in New Mexico - one crew on the Gila National Forest and one crew on the Santa Fe National Forest The crew will be working several miles away from definitive care or cell phone service. The majority of the work will be trail maintenance - corridor management, tread and drainage work, and some log-out with crosscut saws.

When heading into the backcountry members of the crew will be carrying in all their own equipment, projects, tools and equipment as well as food - packs will be heavy. Expect to hike up to 10 miles each day, with elevation gains of 2000-3000 feet.

Members will receive Wilderness First Aid Training and Crosscut Sawyer Training during the first 2 weeks of their term.

Field work and other duties might include but are not limited to:

• Trail construction and maintenance
• Habitat restoration
• Reforestation
• Forest thinning
• Fencing
• Invasive species removal
• Swamping

This project is very physically demanding and requires that members be able to hike 10 miles, in steep terrain, with a heavy pack. Applicants must be capable of performing physically demanding labor on environmental and conservation projects for 10 hours a day. Applicants should expect to hike extended distances on rough terrain carrying up to 80 lbs, and be prepared to spend 8 consecutive days in the field on each 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. Members should be prepared to live in communal housing situations with other members of the program. Members should expect to have roommates, and must inform staff of any housing preferences or required accommodations.

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
• Ability and willingness to undergo a Federal criminal history check
• ACE Members must verify that they are fully vaccinated for Covid-19 or have requested and been granted a medical or religious exemption to vaccination by the time they start their term.
• Experience hiking and navigating in steep terrain

Strongly preferred:

• Experience in multi-day backpacking trips
• Previous experience in a conservation corps program
• Strong desire to enter the conservation field as a natural resource professional
• Experience or interest in volunteering in local communities

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.