Natural Resource Members - Lava Beds National Monument
Summary
American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service at Lava Beds National Monument is seeking Two Members to contribute to natural resource projects alongside NPS Staff.
For more information about ACE, please visit our website.
Start Date: May 19th, 2025*
Estimated End Date: September 6th, 2025*
*Start and End date are somewhat flexible. A 16-week minimum commitment is required *
Location Details/Description: Located in far northeastern California on the flank of the Medicine Lake volcano in the high desert about 30 miles from Tulelake, CA, Lava Beds ranges in elevation from about 4,000 to 5,500 feet. The open landscape of grasses, sagebrush and junipers is interrupted often by lava flows and other volcanic features. Lava Beds protects a wide variety of well-preserved lava features resulting from many eruptions of the Medicine Lake shield volcano over the past 500,000 years- including cinder and spatter cones, lava flows, and over 800 lava tube caves. Lava Beds experienced 2 significant wildfires in 2020 and 2021 that have collectively burned 97% of the park. The monument has cell coverage for most major carriers. Klamath Falls, OR is the nearest community over 1,000 people (population 40,000) and is a one hour drive from the housing area. There are several large grocery stores, restaurants and a hospital, etc. located in Klamath Falls. A small regional airport is located in Medford, OR (2.5 hour drive).
For more information about Lava Beds National Monument, please visit the NPS website.
Position Overview: Two interns will assist the Natural Resources Division with a broad variety of resource management tasks while at the same time learning about the natural and cultural resources of the park and how the NPS works to preserve and protect them. Interns will learn about study design, long-term monitoring methods, safe caving practices, field navigation, park operations, post-fire restoration principles and techniques, geology and ecology of lava tube caves and other volcanic features, and general resource management guidelines practiced by the National Park Service.
Fieldwork will comprise approximately 70% of the interns' time and will include tasks such as:
- Assisting with burned area restoration through native seed collection and vegetation plot surveys
- Performing invasive plant removal via hand removal and/or chemical treatment
- Conducting long-term cave monitoring following established SOPs, including deployment and retrieval of climate data loggers and human visitation logs
- Performing wildlife surveys including raptor nest surveys, bat emergence counts, pika surveys, and other similar activities
- Mitigating visitor impacts to caves and improving visitor experiences through removal of graffiti, microtrash, and other impacts
- Maintaining and improving park trails through vegetation trimming or removal
Office work will comprise approximately 30% of the interns' time and will include tasks such as:
- Using programs including Microsoft Excel, Word, and Access to enter and compile data
- Organizational tasks such as scanning, filing, and sorting documents
- Testing, preparing, and maintaining equipment for field use
- Developing an end of season summary highlighting position accomplishments. This presentation and/or report will be presented to the park's management team.
Additionally, there is opportunity for cross-training with other disciplines including archeology and interpretation, providing the interns with a thorough understanding of park structure and operations.
Schedule: The anticipated work schedule is 4-10s: Mon-Thurs, 7am-5:30pm Pacific Time. Occasional night or weekend work may be required to conduct bat surveys or support park events such as Junior Ranger Day. 1-2 nights of backcountry camping may be required over the course of the position.
Position Benefits
Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $500/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 and 640 hours of service. If the duration of a PLC-eligible term is not long enough for Members to accrue 640 hours of service (~16 weeks), the total hours served at the completion of the term may be eligible to be combined with hours accrued from another PLC-eligible term to meet the 640 hours requirement. 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: ACE members will be accommodated in provided housing at no cost for the duration of the term. Park housing is situated about a 5-minute walk from the office. Housing may be either a room in a 3-bedroom house sharing common spaces or a 1-bedroom apartment.
A personal vehicle is not required but is strongly recommended due to the remote location of this position.
Relocation Allowance: ACE members will have access to up to $250 to be used for eligible relocation expenses. Further details regarding distribution of these funds will be provided during the interview process.
Gear Allowance: ACE members will have up to $250 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes hiking footwear, field pants and shirts, and sun protective clothing including hats, 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. Specific training may include safe caving practices, herbicide application and handling, and wilderness first aid.
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 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.
- Members 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 degree in biological or physical sciences and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as botany, wildlife, geology, and/or Great Basin ecology.
- Knowledge of invasive plant treatments, native seed collection, use of a dichotomous key to identify plants and animals to species level, experience with common biological survey techniques including raptor nest surveys, bat emergence surveys, point counts, and/or vegetation plot surveys.
- Ability and willingness to perform both surface and subterranean fieldwork up to 8 hours per day
- Deep interest in post-fire restoration, caves and cave communities, and/or natural resource management
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, crouch, and/or crawl, particularly in lava tube cave environments .Ability to hike up to 6 miles 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 20 lbs., ability to move up to 50 pounds.
- Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates including heat, cold, and occasional smoke for surface work, and working in cave conditions including darkness, unstable rocks, and tight spaces.
- Noise Environment: Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
- 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, biting insects, and potentially dangerous wildlife. Additional hazards associated with horizontal lava tube caves include unstable floors, confined spaces, cold temperatures, darkness, and navigational difficulty. 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 ACE's online application page for this position on our website. 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 ACE EPIC NPS Western Member Manager, Sabrina Caruso.
If you meet at least 70 percent of the qualifications, we want to hear from you!
ACE participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information when you are hired 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.
