Student Job Opportunity

Visit ACE's website to apply: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/962900.html 

Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service (NPS) and Cumberland Gap National Park, is seeking ONE Facilities Management Software System (FMSS) & GIS Database Member to contribute to updating facility data in FMSS and the GIS database and supporting the CUGA facility management division alongside NPS staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit: www.usaconservation.org.

Start Date: Late May/June 2023 (flexibility available for the right candidate)

Estimated End Date: May/June 2024 (or 52 weeks from start)

*a 52 week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: Cumberland Gap National Historical Park - Middlesboro, KY.

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park is located at the corners of Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia. The Park contains 24,000 acres of which 14,000 acres are proposed wilderness. The natural beauty of Appalachian mountain country, lush with vegetation, supports a diverse flora and fauna. Cumberland Gap has 70 miles of hiking trails, mountains, streams, and caves. Middlesboro, Kentucky is the nearest town and is large enough to accommodate three grocery stores, fast food, several restaurants, and a movie theater. Knoxville, Tennessee is approximately 1.5 hours away and has many amenities of a large city.

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park has a very diverse facility portfolio including, but not limited to, historical buildings, historical fortifications, historical and non-historical trails, wilderness trails, outdoor sculptures, tunnels, Mission 66 facilities, modern visitor services buildings, maintained landscapes, and much more.

For more information regarding Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, or the National Park Service, please visit: http://www.nps.gov/cuga/index.htm.

Position Overview:

The ACE Member in this year-long position will gain a tremendous amount of knowledge about Cumberland Gap National Historical Park and the entire National Park Service. The Member will be introduced to numerous facility programs, issues, and tasks. The ACE Member will assist Park Staff in updating facility data in FMSS and the GIS database and providing support for the CUGA facility management division.

Duties may include, but are not limited to:

• Data collection for the Facility Management Software System (FMSS)
• Condition assessments of a wide variety of assets
• Database management and accurate GPS data collection of facilities and utilities, etc
• Field historical preservation and trail work
• Providing information for project proposal creation and compliance review including wilderness minimum requirements analysis
• Work order creation and tracking
• Documentation of completed facility management projects
• Other facility management duties
• Supporting the interpretive division with facility education of local students

Time will be spent both in the field and office environment under the supervision of a facility management employee. The ACE Member will learn about: all the aspects of a facility management division in a mid-sized park, the resources, and the bigger issues that a park deals with on a day-by-day basis. The information collected will be essential to efficient and effective maintenance of CUGA facilities that ultimately provide an enjoyable experience for park visitors.

Training:

No prior experience needed. The ACE Member will receive training on asset management software, condition assessments, GPS equipment, and other related duties.

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. Ultimately, the ACE Member will have a very diverse experience that should both introduce them to how the NPS works and aid them in determining their future career path.

Schedule:

Mon-Fri, 7:30am - 3:30pm.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $600/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

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 information online https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements.

Housing:

Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or NPS.

Gear Allowance:

ACE members will have up to a $200 reimbursable allowance to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes boots or other relevant gear that 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.

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.
• A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required two-part criminal history check.
• 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.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing engineering or field sciences degrees and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as construction, architecture, landscaping or facilities maintenance.
• Knowledge of databases, office programs, hand tools, shovels, rakes, and an axe.
• Ability and willingness to work both inside and outside during all types of weather.

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, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. 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 40 lbs., ability to move up to 70 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently, work performed under adverse weather conditions and in various climates. Indoor office environment conditions where indoor air quality is good, and temperature is controlled.
• Noise Environment: Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.

Travel:

This position does not require unique 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 NPS or ACE. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the NPS. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the NPS, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to NPS and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required.

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/.