ACE: Water Quality Member - Appalachian Highlands Inventory and Monitoring Network - AmeriCorps Eligible
Summary: American Conservation Experience (ACE), a nonprofit conservation corps, in partnership with the National Park Service (NPS), is seeking one Water Quality Inventory and Monitoring (I&M) Member to monitor and protect significant natural resources in National Parks as part of the NPS Appalachian Highlands Inventory and Monitoring Network (APHN). Applicants should have a strong interest in hydrology, aquatic ecology, and natural resource management.
Start Date: May 10 2021 (flexibility available for the right candidate)
End Date: May 7, 2022 or 52 weeks after start date
*A 52-week commitment is required*
Location: Oneida, TN
Fieldwork will be in National Park Service units in four southeastern states (KY, NC, TN and VA). These are large natural resource parks protecting some of the most significant ecosystems in the Southern Appalachians, including cliff-lined river gorges (Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, Obed Wild and Scenic River), and montane forests (Blue Ridge Parkway).
Project Partner Website: For more information regarding the Appalachian Highlands Inventory and Monitoring Network please visit the NPS website at: https://www.nps.gov/im/aphn/index.htm
For more information on the ACE, please visit: www.usaconservation.org.
Living Allowance: The ACE member will serve approximately 40 hours/week and receive a living allowance of $312.50/week for food, housing, and incidentals paid out biweekly. While traveling for projects, accommodations will include motels and park housing; reimbursable travel expenses are covered by the ACE.
Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or NPS.
AmeriCorps: This opportunity may be eligible for two 900-hour ($3,097.50) or one 1700-hour ($6,195) AmeriCorps Education Award Upon Successful Completion of membership service hours. Additional enrollment is required.
Position Description: This is a twelve-month position with the NPS Appalachian Highlands Inventory and Monitoring Network (APHN) where the ACE member will serve as a member of a team that conducts field-oriented natural resources monitoring. Duties are mainly assisting with field data collection, data management and related laboratory testing for the Network's water quality monitoring program. Other duties may include assisting with freshwater mussel and vegetation monitoring.
Assist APHN staff with a variety of field-oriented projects, including:
- Water quality monitoring. Duties may include assisting with operation and maintenance of data sondes used to collect continuous water quality data, as well as assisting with collection of discrete water quality samples;
- Operation and maintenance of water quality meters, and laboratory instruments and equipment;
- Entering and quality-checking continuous and discrete water quality monitoring data using Microsoft Access and Excel, and other proprietary database software;
- Occasionally providing field and data management assistance for other long-term monitoring projects, including freshwater mussel and vegetation monitoring;
- Entering data and species occurrence information (from legacy reports and collection records) in databases and spreadsheets, using Microsoft Access and Excel, and other proprietary database software;
- Field operation and basic management of Global Positioning System (esp. Garmin) instruments and data;
- Creating basic Geographic Information System maps (with ESRI's ArcGIS software) for natural resources inventory and monitoring projects;
- Organizing and carrying out field logistics to support monitoring teams of two or more people.
Training: APHN will provide field training and experience using a variety of water quality monitoring instruments and techniques, as well as techniques for vegetation and freshwater mussel monitoring. Training and skills will be provided in data manipulation using Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, ESRI ArcGIS software, as well as other proprietary software, including Aquatic Informatics' Aquarius software, Garmin GPS software, and National Park Service natural resources inventory and monitoring databases. Training will be provided in Wilderness First Aid and Operational Leadership (a safety awareness course).
Qualifications: Applicants for the position must have previous coursework or relevant experience in aquatic ecology, hydrology, environmental science, natural resource management or related disciplines.
Required:
- 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.
- This position is funded through the Public Land Corps Act which has specific program requirements.
- Must be 18-30 years of age to apply (members must be 21+ to apply for an ACE position that requires or anticipates operation of agency or ACE vehicles for duties).
- Military Veterans up to 35 are encouraged to apply.
- US Citizen or Permanent Resident
- A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
- Willing to undergo and must pass required criminal history checks.
- Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Able to work well with colleagues in a group setting, as well as independently, with minimal supervision
- Able and willing to serve outdoors in varying weather conditions and capable of participating in sustained physical labor
Preferred
- Interest and knowledge of hydrology
- Knowledge, interest and/or experience conducting aquatic field projects
- Experience in various field data collection methods using standard protocols
- Experience in backcountry hiking and navigation in steep terrain
- Familiarity with Microsoft Access, Garmin GPS units, and/or ESRI's ArcGIS
Please note: Marijuana and other controlled substances are not allowed at any time during the performance of duties or while on federal property, regardless of State law or qualified medical marijuana card status.
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 here: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/. Early consideration will be given as resumes are received. This position may close at any time.
EOE: American Conservation Experience provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, American Conservation Experience complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.