ACE-Project Manager, Pacific West

American Conservation Experience (ACE) is a dynamic non-profit organization dedicated to providing rewarding environmental service opportunities that harness the idealism and energy of a volunteer labor force to help restore America's public lands. ACE has a national reputation for providing exceptional training and support to enable crews to safely and economically implement technically complex and physically demanding conservation projects for the US Forest Service, BLM, National Park Service, USFWS and numerous state and local land management partners.

Job Title: Project Manager, Pacific West

Location: Sacramento, California

Department/Division: CREW, Pacific West

Status: Regular Full-Time, Salaried (Exempt)

Schedule/Hours: Full-time (40 hours/week). Flexible schedule with varying shifts; Some weekend and evening hours may be required.

Reports To: Senior Project Manager

Travel: Yes, significant regional travel required.

Compensation: Full-Time, 40 hours/week within a flexible schedule. Competitive pay with a benefits package that includes health, dental, vision and supplemental insurance, paid vacation, sick leave, designated holidays, and 401k retirement for qualified employees

Position Summary:

The Project Manager (PM) serves in an essential leadership role within the ACE Pacific West (PW) Crew Operations Team. The incumbent is responsible for coordinating numerous aspects of conservation field projects alongside other Operations Team and partner staff while also collaborating with PW Member Services Team staff. PMs have three major areas of responsibility:

1. Project preparation
2. Project implementation
3. Project reporting

The Project Manager ensures ACE crews are fully prepared and equipped with the necessary project supplies, transportation, and equipment prior to departing for their projects, are responsible for overseeing quality control, safety compliance, and equipment maintenance, and perform related work as assigned. The PM plays a crucial role in advancing ACE's core values of safety, professionalism, integrity, flexibility, quality, enthusiasm, dedication, and passion. The PM is a critical link in project communication, coordination and logistical organization for ACE crew projects in their assigned base location.

This position is located out of ACE PW's Sacramento, CA field base and requires significant regional travel (60%) alongside office work (40%). Travel includes overnight stays in a variety of accommodations including camping.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

Project Preparation:

• Assist in or lead project planning and development for assigned projects depending on project size and complexity.
• Organize and perform field visits with PW Operations Team members and partner staff in advance of crew field work.
• Act as lead point of contact with partner staff, communicating and collaborating on a consistent basis.
• Prepare project logistics including development of project itineraries and field work descriptions.
• Coordinate and implement training of crew leaders and members during orientations and as needed for projects.
• Purchase project supplies, tools, etc. as needed following the project budget.

Project Implementation:

• Work with assigned crews during field project preparation ("rig-up") to ensure crews are prepared for field spikes.
• Perform quality control field visits and provide technical and logistical assistance as needed to ensure safety and quality control. Provide remote support as needed.
• Hold ACE field staff and members accountable to ACE's high standards. Supervise, train, and discipline Crew Leaders and members as required and appropriate.
• Maintain communications with project partners during ACE field projects. Uphold ACE's partner relationships with professionalism and courtesy.
• Oversee maintenance, accountability, and use of tools, vehicles, field-related equipment, including organization of ACE equipment and supplies that have been issued to specific projects.
• Implement field safety programs and inspections under the supervision of Senior Project Managers.
• Foster a culture and environment that positions our members for success and ensures that ACE is a program of choice for members.
• Work with assigned crews after completion of project field weeks ("de-rig") and de-brief Crew Leaders after each hitch.
• Lead crews in the absence of a Crew Leader.

Project Reporting:

• Assure accurate, timely compliance with PW project tracking records, including weekly reports, accomplishment reports, incident reports, safety sheets, end of project checklists, OSHA injury reports, etc..
• Generate and submit ACE PW Project Reports prior to established deadlines.
• Guide PW Crew Leaders in reporting including tool logs, herbicide, and GPS data.
• Arrange post-project meetings with project partners and solicit post-project feedback.
• Mentor and evaluate Crew Leaders and members as required and appropriate.
• Make recommendations to Senior Project Managers and other PW Operations Team staff concerning disciplinary measures and promotion of members and supervisors.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Experience and Qualifications:

• Ability to perform a wide variety of heavy manual labor, for extended periods of time, often under adverse weather conditions and in various climates
• Ability to prepare and maintain records and reports.
• Ability to understand and follow ACE systems and processes including key responsibilities of crew leaders
• Must maintain a positive, constructive work environment conducive to team dynamics
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with members, partner agency staff, and the general public.
• Ability to adapt to dynamic work environments and conditions that can change frequently.
• Ability to maintain a positive, constructive work environment conducive to team performance.
• Ability to analyze and resolve complex safety issues
• Ability to handle concurrent operations in a fast-paced environment.
• Willingness to travel and camp out for extended periods of time.
• Must be flexible and possess a high work ethic.
• Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions
• 3-4 years of experience working in field conservation positions, with 1-2 years serving in a leadership role, preferably within a Conservation Corps.
• Possess a high school diploma or GED certificate. BA/BS degree from an accredited college/university preferred.
• Considerable experience and demonstrable knowledge of methods, materials, tools, and techniques used in a wide variety of conservation field work including environmental restoration, trail construction and maintenance, and other conservation tasks.
• Current Wilderness First Aid (WFR preferred and in some cases may be required), CPR, and BBP certification.
• Ability to prevent, analyze and resolve safety issues; possess knowledge of safety procedures as applied to field operations and experience in encouraging and enforcing compliance with safety policies.
• Possess and maintain equipment operator skills and techniques used in conservation/environmental operations.
• Knowledge of laws, regulations, rules, and policies governing field operations in environmentally sensitive areas.
• Strong organizational and communication skills and experience leading, training and motivating diverse groups of young adults in a safe, organized and professional manner.
• Working knowledge of young adult development, team-building and motivational techniques.

Other Requirements:

• Must be authorized to work in the U.S.
• Valid driver's license and an insurable driving record
• Proficient in English
• Ability to pass a federal criminal background check
• Willing to abide by ACE Policy and Federal Drug Free workplace policies and laws. ACE reserves the right to drug test at any time

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, talks and hears. Manual dexterity required for use of hand and power 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 lifts up to 25 lbs., ability to lift up to 60 pounds

Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates

Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise such gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools

Travel: This position requires domestic travel

To Apply: Navigate to the ACE website: https://usaconservationstaff.applicantpool.com/jobs/ to fill out an application. You must include a resume, one-page cover letter and three professional references. Qualified applicants will be contacted by email to arrange an interview. Applicants must follow all application instructions in order to be considered for this opportunity.

American Conservation Experience provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, American Conservation Experience complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.

Learn More About American Conservation Experience (ACE)!

Current Openings for ACE Project Manager, Pacific West Jobs at Mellon Fellowships