American Conservation Experience
Position Opening Announcement
Project Manager
BLM CA – Ridgecrest Recreation Youth Corps Team
American Conservation Experience, a Non-Profit conservation corps with growing nationwide operations, is seeking a Project Manager for its California program. The program manager will oversee the Ridgecrest Recreation Youth Corps Team project and will bestationed in Ridgecrest, CA.
As a federally recognized member of the 21st Century Conservation and Service Corps, ACE is a dynamic organization with a reputation for providing crews to safely and economically implement technically complex and physically demanding restoration project for the National Park Service, US Forest Service, BLM, USFWS, and numerous state and local land management partners. ACE’s California leadership team is seeking a Project Manager to work under the direction of the Director of Operations to assist in managing the Ridgecrest Recreation Youth Corps Team project, train crew leaders and crewmembers, and enhance the future growth of the operations in California.
The ideal candidate will possess a varied and unique combination of attributes, including experience managing or overseeing conservation projects, communication skills to professionally interact with project partners, ACE staff, and crew leaders, and organizational skills required to effectively manage conservation projects, leaders, and teams.
ACE is currently hiring a Project Manager in 2016:
Start Date: October 17th, 2016*
End Date: May 6th, 2017
Furlough: December 18th - January 8th, 2016
* Start date may be postponed 1-2 weeks.
Specific Job Duties
Under direct supervision of an ACE Director and the Director of Operation, the Project Manager oversees Ridgecrest Recreation Youth Corps Team project crews while assisting in logistical/project coordination, quality control, safety compliance, and equipment maintenance for ACE crews; performs related work as assigned. The Project Manager will work directly with BLM Ridgecrest staff;train crew leaders and assistant supervisors in conservation work skills, basic environmental education, and outdoor living skills, and engage their crews in environmental work projects that address critical environmental needs. The Project Manager will focus efforts on assisting crew leaders in project preparations and providing support as needed to develop crew leader skill sets and abilities.
Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities:
Project Manager must have the following:
• Considerable knowledge of methods, materials, tools, and techniques used in conservation/environmental restoration operations.
• Considerable knowledge of safety procedures applied to field operations.
• Knowledge of principles of young adult development, team-building and motivational techniques.
• Ability to lead and train individuals and teams.
• Skilled in the use of the use of hand and power tools, including chainsaws.
• Ability to coordinate the activities of culturally and economically diverse employees to ensure quality and efficiency.
• Ability to adapt to surrounding work environment with conditions that can change frequently.
• Ability to perform a wide variety of heavy manual labor for extended periods of time, and often under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
• Ability to analyze and resolve complex safety issues
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with corpsmembers, partner agency staff, and the general public.
• Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• Ability to understand and follow ACE systems and processes including supervisor key responsibilities.
Typical Duties:
• Assists BLM Ridgecrest staff in planning, scheduling, developing and coordinating conservation/environmental restoration projects.
• Oversees maintenance of tools, vehicles, field-related equipment, including organization of ACE equipment and supplies that have been issued to Ridgecrest Recreation Youth Corps Team project.
• Purchase of project food, field supplies, tools, etc. following the project budget.
• Implements field safety programs and inspections under the supervision of ACE Director of Operations.
• Performs field visits as quality control and will provide technical and logistical assistance as needed.
• Responsible for collecting and approving and submitting ACE project paper to ACE Santa Cruz office.
• Responsible for generating mid-season and end of season project reports.
• Responsible for organizing and hosting ACE informational booth at local petroglyph festival.
- Dates: November 5th & 6th in Ridgecrest, CA. Website:
• Makes recommendations to ACE Directorof Operations concerning disciplinary measures and promotion of corpsmembers and supervisors.
Other Requirements:
• Must maintain a positive, constructive work environment conducive to team dynamics.
• Must maintain timely, effective communication withproject partners, supervisors, and crew members
• Must enforce the use of appropriate safety procedures in all tasks.
• Must maintain optimal physical health, including a drug-free lifestyle.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.
• Must secure first aid/CPR certification within 14 days of employment and maintain certification.
• Must submit to a criminal background check prior to hire. Persons convicted of a felony are not eligible for appointment to this classification. This position is a covered position that may entail recurring access to vulnerable populations such as youth and the elderly. Selection for the position is contingent upon a review of all Criminal History results.
Drug users, including recreational smokers of marijuana, should not consider applying as ACE reserves the right to require drug tests. Applicants must have a clean driving record and be willing to submit to a background check.
Start Date: On or before (preferred) October 31st, 2016
Length of Commitment: This is considered a full-time position per ACE policy.
Hours: 40 hours/week within a flexible schedule.
Compensation: This position is paid hourly starting at $17/hour. ACE Staff benefits are available for this position.
Housing: Housing will be provided for the duration of the Ridgecrest Recreation Youth Corps Team project. Project Manager will reside within ACE apartment located in Ridgecrest, CA.
Application Process: There is no official application form for this position. In lieu of an application form please submit the following documents by email:
1. A detailed resume including two references
2. An introduction letter expressing how your qualifications and experiences align with the above job description and the mission of ACE
To Apply:
Please email the required documents to Eric Robertson – Director of Operations, ACE California:
Deadline: This position will be open until filled- Please note that ACE will schedule interviews and may make a selection as applications are submitted. Please submit your application materials as you prepare them.Apply now!
To Apply:
Please email your resume, cover letter, and 2 professional references with "Project Manager - Ridgecrest” in the subject heading of your email.
Qualified applicants will be contacted by e-mail to arrange a phone interview.
Check out our website and our Facebook page for more details about ACE!
In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) To file a complaint of discrimination: write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call(202) 720-5964(voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.