ACE AZ - AmeriCorps Professional Development Internships

ACE Arizona - AmeriCorps Professional Development Internship

450/675/900 hour positions available

Work location(s) will take place throughout the American Southwest. Member housing may be based out of Flagstaff, AZ or Hurricane, UT.

Summary:  American Conservation Experience (ACE), a non-profit conservation youth corps based in Flagstaff, AZ, provides professional development and outdoor project opportunities to young adults from a wide range of backgrounds. ACE crews work on a variety of environmental projects with several land management agencies throughout the American Southwest. ACE is seeking AmeriCorps Professional Development Interns dedicated to working 12, 16, or 24 weeks (450, 675 or 900 hours, respectively) on a combination of trails, fencing, fuels reduction, erosion control, wildlife survey, and ecological restoration projects with land management agencies (National Park Service, US Forest Service, etc.) throughout the western U.S. This opportunity is intended for enthusiastic young adults with a background in an environmental field and/or a dedicated interest in pursuing a career in conservation and environmental stewardship. These internships provide the opportunity to learn and train among professional mentors and participate in the execution of significant conservation and land management objectives.  AmeriCorps Professional Development Interns will also gain leadership skills while helping to support ACE conservation volunteers who are rotated through long term projects. 

Qualifications:  Applicants for ACE’s AmeriCorps Professional Development Internship must have an established interest in conservation issues and/or a background in Forestry or a similar field, and should take evident joy in tackling challenging situations with a positive mindset. Applicants must be willing to undertake arduous physical work in all types of weather and terrain, and to participate as a team member, dedicated to ACE’s mission. Preference will be given to former and graduating ACE corps members, graduated members of other conservation corps, and those with a history of committed engagement in similar volunteer and/or outdoors activities.  

ACE’s AmeriCorps Professional Development Program is meant as a stepping stone to environmental careers and/or as a gateway to potential leadership positions within ACE as well as an interesting and rewarding way to spend up to 24 weeks working in beautiful locations. Applicants should look at this internship as a career opportunity rather than a “job”. Drug users, including recreational smokers of marijuana, should not consider applying, as ACE reserves the right to require drug testing and generally abhors the presence of drug users in our program. 

Internship Responsibilities and Expectations: Like all ACE participants, ACE places high standards and expectations for AmeriCorps interns. All interns must successfully complete their term of service by fulfilling their hour commitment (450/675/900) and implementing a volunteer service project within the local Flagstaff community. Interns fulfill their commitment by playing a role in accomplishing various conservation projects throughout the American Southwest. ACE projects require a safe and professional environment, physically demanding manual labor, and a positive attitude. Interns must be physically active and expect to hike long distances on rough terrain and persevere through adverse weather conditions. ACE crews typically work 80 hours over 8 or 9 consecutive days. However, ACE crews may be required to participate on projects spanning 4 to 8 weeks at a time. Interns are expected to play a role in preparing and implementing various ACE projects by coordinating closely with ACE staff members and project sponsors. Interns will be held accountable for making safety a top priority, serving as a positive role model for other corps members, and submitting required paperwork in a timely fashion.

Other Requirements:

•        Internship is available to US Citizens and Green Card holders only.

•        Must be 18 – 25.

•        Interns must have personal medical insurance for the duration of their participation with ACE. 

•        ACE will provide tents to all interns (upon request) but all other camping items such as sturdy boots, sleeping bags, backpacks, and raingear must be provided by successful applicants.

Remuneration:  Interns will obtain an Education Award (amount based on number of hours served, ex: 900 hour position receives $2,775) upon successful completion of service. The education award can be allocated towards most past, present, and future endeavors in secondary education or vocational pursuits. ACE aims to prevent financial hardship by providing interns with free meals/food during all project days as well as free dorm-style housing in Flagstaff during off-days. AmeriCorps Interns may or may not receive a bi-weekly stipend. ACE members save over $600 per month due to ACE accommodations with free housing and food.

Training: AmeriCorps interns will participate in training courses before leaving for their first project. Training courses will depend on the particular position gained but may include some of the following: chainsaw use, Wilderness First Aid, CPR and First Aid, map and compass, AmeriCorps and ACE orientation, ACE safety, and Leave No Trace ethics.  Depending on the project schedule, interns may gain a hands-on experience in trail construction, dry-stone masonry, ecological restoration, and/or fence installation/removal. Interns will be also gain leadership experience by acting as team leaders.

450 hour position

Start Date: May 18, 2013

End Date: August 10, 2013

Application Deadline: Until filled

675 hour position

Start Date: Apprx. May 28, 2013

End Date: September 28, 2013

Application Deadline: Until filled

900 hour position

Start Date: June 22, 2013

End Date: December 14, 2013

Application Deadline: Until filled

To Apply: Please email your resume, cover letter, and 3 professional references (ACE graduates may only submit 1 ACE reference out of the 3) to Jeff Bousson (jeff@usaconservation.org) with “AmeriCorps Professional Development Internship – Coolworks Referred" in the subject heading of your email.

Applicants MUST follow all application instructions in order to be considered for this opportunity.

Check out our website and Facebook page for more photos and feedback!

Contact:
Jeff Bousson
Outreach Coordinator 
jeff@usaconservation.org
928 814 3071

Job Contact Info

• Jeff Bousson
• Phone: 928-814-3071
• http://usaconservation.org/
• Send an Email
• Apply Now