Seed Collection Members - American Conservation Experience - EPIC : Job Details

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management, is seeking Two Seed Collection Members to contribute to the Seeds of Success project alongside the Bureau of Land Management Staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Start Date: 3/24/2025 (contingent upon passing a government background check)

Estimated End Date: 7/18/2025

*a 17-week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: Central Washington state is the home of the Wenatchee Field Office, part of the Spokane District. The office is responsible for BLM lands ranging from the Canadian border to the north, to the Oregon state line to the South. Some work, no more than 30%, may occur out of the Border Field Office in Spokane, WA. The Spokane District manages nearly 450,000 acres of public lands across the state of Washington. Botanically, plant communities range from extensive shrub-steppe habitats to dry forests and even coastal headlands in the San Juan Islands National Monument.

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

Position Overview: Much of the work will be accomplished in remote locations on rugged terrain that require a 4x4 truck to access, it may take 1-4 hours of driving to reach a work site. Seed collection would involve following the BLM Seeds of Success protocol. Seeds of Success (SOS) is the national native seed collection program, led by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in partnership with a variety of federal agencies and non-federal organizations. SOS's mission is to collect wildland native seed for research, development, germplasm conservation, and ecosystem restoration.

Duties:

• Learn and implement seeds of success seed collection method
• Identify native plant species with training and reference tools
• GPS/GIS: using GeoPlatform and ESRI products, data collection and navigation for the Seeds of Success program
• Hiking in remote locations
• Driving safely for long distances to reach work sites
• Collaboratively work in a team setting
• Maintain and report any issues of equipment including data collection tablet and laptop computer

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: Generally, Monday - Thursday, 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM.

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. 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 $180 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 $515 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, (sun hat, hiking boots, water bottles, backpack, gaiters, work pants), 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. Additionally, program specific training such as native and non-native plant identification, GIS, herbarium management, seed collection, and quantitative plant monitoring may be provided at no cost. A virtual Seeds of Success training will be required.

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.
• Comfort working outdoors in remote areas for extended periods alone or in a small 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 undergraduate degree in biology, ecology, environmental sciences, botany or similar studies and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as plant identification.
• All candidates are encouraged to apply, though local candidates will be strongly considered.
• Deep interest in learning botanical identification skills, or field experience identifying plants.
• Knowledge of using GPS or maps and compass for navigation in remote areas.
• Ability and willingness to work on problem solving in a small group setting.

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. 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 45 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates. Working under full sun without shade for many hours in hot weather is sometimes required. The members may occasionally need to safely handle pruners, clippers, and shovels.
• Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise such gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools.
• Travel: This position may require 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.

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. ACE members and BLM staff will review together and sign Risk Analysis Worksheets for all working conditions prior to the field season. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the Bureau of Land Management. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), provided by the Bureau of Land Management, will be mandatory for any activity that