Eastern Conservation Crew Member

Summary :

Join American Conservation Experience in Asheville, NC and receive free housing, skills and certificate training, an AmeriCorps education award eligibility, and the chance to travel and work in a variety of locations ranging from popular National Parks, Forests, and local natural protected areas. Multiple term lengths, locations, start dates, and other options are available.


American Conservation Experience, a non-profit conservation corps with a divisional branch in Asheville, NC, is looking for members to come join our team of young adults serving on meaningful conservation projects throughout the Eastern U.S. 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 typically serve for 13 or 26 weeks on projects including habitat restoration, historic preservation, and trail maintenance and construction, all while completing a term of AmeriCorps service. While serving, members typically have 2-6 days off between each project to enjoy locations around the east'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 Date :

August 2026

Estimated End Dates :

December 2026 (for 450 hour term)

March/April 2027 (for 900 hour term)

Location : Asheville NC

Projects take place throughout the eastern half of the U.S. at a variety of different public lands.

Schedule: Project schedules vary greatly, but typically members serve 4 days on with either 2 or 4 days off. For remote projects, members spend off-days nearer to their project location. Remote projects often last up to 4 - 6 weeks long.

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 obtain an Education Award for the amount of ~$1,956.35 (for 450 hour terms) or ~$3,697.50 (for 900 hour terms) upon successful completion of service.

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 housing during their term of service. When working in or near the eastern region, members spend off days in our hostel-style housing in Asheville. When working remotely, members will be provided tents and camping facilities in those remote locations. 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 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 on bringing 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; personal vehicles are not necessary throughout the member's term of service. 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 the field of 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 the National Park Service, US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and many other stewards of our nation's public lands.


Field work and additional responsibilities might include but are not limited to:

• Habitat restoration
• Trail construction and maintenance
• Dry and wet stone masonry
• Reforestation
• Forest thinning
• Plant identification
• Fencing
• Invasive species removal
• Swamping

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 griphoists.

Restoration Equipment: Herbicide backpack sprayers, spray bottles, GPS units, and measuring tools.

Power Tools and Gas Powered Equipment: Chainsaws, brush-cutters, drills, saws, and compressors.

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 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.

Required:

• Must be a United States Citizen, United States National or Lawful Permanent Resident Alien of the United States.
• 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 a required 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 required for 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 change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
• Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise such 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 in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, 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 upload a cover letter, and provide at least 2 references that are either professional or from a community leader (eg colleagues, teachers, counselors, religious leaders, career advisors). Visit usaconservation.org to view other listings, and use 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 feel free to contact Sydney Seng, Outreach and Member Manager at View email address on click.appcast.io.

ACE participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information when you are enrolled in a program to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

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.