Project Manager, Southwest Arizona

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

Location: Flagstaff, Arizona

Department/Division: CREW, Southwest Arizona

Status: Regular Full-Time, Salaried (Exempt)

Schedule/Hours: Flexible schedule (Monday-Friday); some evening and weekend hours may be occasionally required.

Reports To: Associate Director of Operations

Travel: Significant regional travel to project sites.

Start Date: March 2022

Position Summary: Based in Flagstaff, Arizona, ACE's Southwest Division operates year-round on a variety of trail, restoration and environmental conservation field projects taking place on public lands throughout the Southwest from the depths of the Grand Canyon to the alpine pine forests of the Southern Rockies to the wild Saguaro forests of the Sonoran Desert and beyond! As Project Manager you will ensure that ACE crews are fully prepared and equipped with the necessary project supplies, transportation, and equipment prior to departing for their projects, and are responsible for overseeing quality control, safety compliance, and equipment maintenance, and perform related work as assigned.

The Project Manager for ACE Southwest is a field-based position responsible for supporting ACE field crews with safely and efficiently accomplishing conservation projects. This position will coordinate and manage project implementation and directly support and train crew leaders to successfully complete various trail, environmental restoration, fencing, forestry and land management projects on public lands throughout the southwestern region of the United States. While primarily a field-based position working and supporting ACE crews in the field, the Project Manager will also be responsible for preparing pre-project logistics and post-project reporting while working closely with the ACE Associate Director of Operations and project partners to ensure the safe execution of field projects. As a Project Manager, you will play a crucial role in advancing ACE's core values of safety, professionalism, integrity, flexibility, quality, enthusiasm, dedication, and passion with ensuring critical project communication, coordination and logistical organization for ACE crew projects in their assigned base location.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Conduct pre-project site visits
• Train and mentor ACE Crew Leaders and members on field projects and during trainings
• Assist with planning, scheduling, developing, and coordinating field projects with ACE staff and project partners
• Assist the Associate Director with training ACE staff and members for safe and professional restoration and trail projects including: herbicide handling; use and maintenance of hand and mechanized tools (chainsaws, brush-cutters, chippers, axes, hand saws, etc.)
• Assist with preparing project logistics including developing project itineraries and training of crew leaders for projects
• Perform field visits and provide support on a variety of field projects to ensure safety and quality control while holding ACE field staff and corpsmembers to ACE's high standards at all times
• Oversee proper maintenance and use of tools, vehicles, field-related equipment, including organization of ACE equipment and supplies that have been issued to specific projects
• Train Crew Leaders and members in the proper maintenance and upkeep of chainsaws, brush cutters, herbicide equipment and other equipment relevant to restoration projects while ensuring that the ACE tool warehouse is organized and maintained to OSHA standards
• Communicate with project partners and crew leaders during ACE field projects
• Uphold ACE/partner relationships with professionalism and courtesy
• Assist with project rig-up and de-rig, before and after field projects
• Implement field safety programs and inspections under the supervision of the Associate Director
• Perform quality control field visits and provide technical and logistical assistance as needed
• Lead crews in the absence of a Crew Leader.
• Assure accurate, timely compliance with SWA project tracking records, including weekly reports, accomplishment reports, incident reports, safety sheets, end of project checklists, OSHA injury reports, etc..
• Generate and submit ACE SWA Project Reports prior to established deadlines.
• Guide 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.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Experience and Qualifications:

• Possess a high school diploma or GED certificate. BA/BS degree from an accredited college/university preferred.
• 2-3 years of experience working in field conservation positions, with 1-2 years serving in a leadership role, preferably within a Conservation Corp.
• 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
• 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
• All ACE members and staff must verify that they are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 by the time they start their term/position or request a medical or religious exemption.

Individuals who identify with groups typically under-represented in the conservation industry, including women, non-binary individuals, LGBTQ individuals, and people of color are particularly encouraged to apply.

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 moves 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

Compensation: $36,000.00-$44,500.00 starting annualized salary (40 hours/week, 52-weeks) range based on experience.

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 401k retirement plan.

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. Additionally, ACE observes 11 paid annual holidays and 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.

Trainings and Certifications - Project Managers receive industry recognized certifications provided by ACE including:

• Wilderness First Aid (WFA) - equivalent cost of $280 and is a two-year certificate with recertification options.
• Dependent on projects, you may receive a 32-hour Chainsaw Training based on the NWCG S-212 training with the possibility of receiving an official Forest Service Saw Certification.

To Apply: Please submit a resume, one-page cover letter and contact for three professional/academic references to the application link. 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. 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)!

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