Division Director, EPIC Fish and Wildlife Service

American Conservation Experience (ACE) is a dynamic non-profit organization dedicated to providing rewarding environmental service opportunities that harness the idealism and energy of an emerging labor force to help restore America's public lands. ACE's Emerging Professionals in Conservation (EPIC) program has a national reputation for providing young adults and recent graduates with hands-on, professional development individual placement opportunities to work alongside and under the guidance of agency mentors as they apply their knowledge of resource management on their path to becoming the next generation of resource and land managers. EPIC operates in coalition with partners such as the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Forest Service, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and other conservation focused groups.

ACE is currently seeking qualified and interested applicants for the leadership role of Division Director of ACE EPIC (Emerging Professionals in Conservation) Fish and Wildlife Service partnership program.

Job Title: ACE EPIC Division Director, Fish and Wildlife Service

Location: ACE has offices in Salt Lake City, Utah; Sacramento, CA; Ridgecrest, CA; Hurricane, UT; Flagstaff, AZ and Asheville, NC. This position can also work remotely.

Department/Division: EPIC (Fish and Wildlife Service)

Status: Regular Full-Time, Salaried (Exempt)

Schedule/Hours: ​​Full-time, 40 hours/weeks with additional hours as needed. Typical work hours of 8:30am-5:00pm (Monday - Friday) local time with some adjustment expected to accommodate specific projects and program needs. Some evening and weekend hours may be occasionally required.

Reports To: National Director, EPIC Programs

Travel: Yes, significant regional/national travel required to various project partner locations.

Position Summary: Under general supervision of the National Director of EPIC Programs, the Division Director is responsible for soliciting and coordinating conservation and environmental restoration projects with the US Fish and Wildlife Service as well as other related federal, state, and other non-profit partners; developing and managing program budgets; overseeing the recruitment of the division's members; and hiring and supervising program staff members. The Division Director will demonstrate a deep commitment to ACE's unique mission that leverages public service for youth career development and volunteerism.

The Emerging Professionals in Conservation (EPIC) program places individual members and small teams with land management agencies and organizations in professional paid internships ranging from three to twelve months. These internships are intended to provide a pathway to employment in specific fields, ranging from hydrology, trails, restoration, rangeland management, wildlife, geology, education/interpretation, and more, with position descriptions directly paralleling agency mission and values. This Division Director position will oversee a program with over 100 partnership agreements with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). These agreements provide work for approximately 220 members annually across all FWS Regions at over 100 refuges, as well as Regional Offices, National Fish Hatcheries, Science Centers, and Ecological Services Field Offices. A strong candidate for the Division Director role will have an intimate understanding of agency nuances, hiring practices, state, regional and national composition and overall mission and values that impact on-the-ground work.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Lead, manage and hold accountable the ACE Fish and Wildlife Service Division team, consistent with the ACE vision, strategy, goals, and standards.
• Develop program strategy, plans, goals, and targets in collaboration with ACE Program Leadership Team.
• Administer and ensure compliance with grants and partner agreements.
• Solicit, plan, schedule, develop, coordinate, and tracks conservation/environmental restoration projects; maintains professional communications and relations with agency project partners.
• Negotiate cooperative agreement partnerships as well as contracts for work projects and assure compliance.
• Seek opportunities to develop new partnerships through grant writing and funding opportunities.
• Oversee the recruitment of program staff and members.
• Develop and monitor program budget.
• Oversee budgeting and purchase of requested equipment/travel for agreements including, but not limited to, transportation, per diems, training fees, and lodging.
• Oversee management of tools, vehicle and equipment inventories.
• Oversee preparation and maintenance of records and reports.
• Assist in the development and implementation of policies and procedures for staff.
• Assist in the development and implementation of safety protocols and procedures for the Division.
• Oversee timely invoicing of projects.
• Oversee preparation of payroll.
• Oversee OSHA compliance, including appropriate record keeping.
• Adhere to ACE safety policies and procedures; report any unsafe or harmful conditions, incidents, and/or accidents immediately.
• Foster a culture and environment that positions ACE for success and ensures that ACE is the program of choice for partners, members and staff.
• Responsibilities and tasks outlined are not exhaustive and may change as determined by ACE.

Experience and Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent in nonprofit management, conservation management and/or education, resource management, or related field, and five years of experience working with conservation organizations, including three years of supervisory experience; OR any combination of education, training, and experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position at the discretion of the Chief Program Officer.
• Experience working with or within the Fish and Wildlife Service.
• Experience as a partner or managing partnership agreements preferred.
• Ability to work remotely and independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to manage and train remote staff, when needed.
• Experience learning new systems quickly, with the ability to train others on their use.
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.
• Proficient in English.
• Knowledge of the methods, materials, tools, and techniques used in conservation/environmental restoration operations.
• Understanding of the laws, regulations, rules, and policies governing field operations and program management.
• Knowledge of Federal Uniform Guidance for grants and agreements.
• Understand the principles of young adult development.
• Knowledge of principles and techniques of effective supervision and leadership.
• Ability to plan, supervise, schedule, oversee, and evaluate multiple, concurrent field operations.
• Ability to analyze and resolve complex customer service and safety issues.
• Ability to prepare and maintain records and reports.
• Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• Ability to understand and follow ACE systems and processes including supervisor key responsibilities.
• Proven ability to professionally manage confidential material.
• Proven ability to track details and organize.
• Ability and motivation to perform multiple and variable tasks concurrently.
• Professional verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong time management skills.
• Proven ability to work independently and be a positive, contributing member of a group.
• Computer competency with experience using a variety of software and database systems, preferably Microsoft Office Suite and the entire Google platform.
• Ability to plan, supervise, schedule, oversee, and evaluate multiple, concurrent field operations.
• Ability to adapt to surrounding work environment with conditions that can change frequently.
• Must be authorized to work in the U.S.
• Valid driver's license and an insurable driving record; comfortable driving ACE/agency vehicles as needed.
• Ability to pass a federal criminal background check.
• Willing to abide by ACE's Drug Free workplace policies. ACE reserves the right to drug test at any time.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions

• Physical Demands: Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talks and hears. Manual dexterity required for use of computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Ability to occasionally hike over rough terrain.
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Occasionally may need to lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Mainly indoor, office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled. Outdoor work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
• Noise Environment: Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
• Travel: This position requires domestic travel up to 50%.

Compensation: Starting annualized salary range of $68,000 - $80,000 (40 hours/week for 52-weeks).

Medical/Health Benefits: ACE offers competitive medical and ancillary plans (health, mental health, dental, vision and other supplemental benefits). ACE Staff members are also eligible to participate in ACE's 403b retirement plan with a 1% employer contribution.

Holidays, Vacation, and Sick Time: As an ACE staff member, you will be eligible to accrue up to 80 hours of paid vacation time annually during your first two years of continuous employment, then it increases to 120 hours annually. ACE observes 13 paid annual holidays (floating holiday flexibility). Additionally, ACE full-time regular employees also receive paid additional holiday time for any normal work days that fall between the observed Christmas Day and New Year's Day holidays. ACE provides 10 days (or 80 hours) of paid sick time annually.

Additional Benefits: Outdoor Perks - As an ACE staff member, you will be eligible to receive pro deals which include deep discounts on outdoor gear providing 30 - 50% off retail prices on 100s of established outdoor gear brands.

To Apply: Please submit a resume, one-page cover letter and contact for three professional/academic references to the application link. Qualified applicants may be contacted by email to arrange an interview. Applicants must follow all application instructions in order to be considered for this opportunity. This position may close at any time.

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 Division Director, EPIC Fish and Wildlife Service Jobs at Mellon Fellowships