Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with US Forest Service Pacific Northwest (PNW) and Pacific Southwest (PSW) Research Stations are seeking SIX Wildlife and Plant Members to contribute to ecological research projects related to timber production, forest fire fuel reduction, habitat restoration, and wildlife monitoring. Members will work alongside PNW and PSW research staff to coordinate with research teams across each station, collect and manage ecological data, and work within a safe and collaborative team environment.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Start Date: June 2026

End Date: November 2026

*a 24-week minimum commitment is required*

Location Details/Description: Pacific Northwest Research Station, La Pine, Oregon

Members will be based at one of the following duty stations but should expect frequent travel to multiple project locations in CA, OR, and WA throughout their term.

• Wind River Experimental Forest (Carson, WA)
• Pringle Falls Experimental Forest (La Pine, OR)
• H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest (Blue River, OR)
• Cascade Head Experimental Forest (Lincoln City, OR)

Wind River Experimental Forest, Carson, WA

Members will be housed at a farmhouse-style bunkhouse at the Wind River Experimental Forest, just north of the Columbia River Gorge in Carson, WA. Wind River Experimental Forest is located in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest and was established in 1932 by T.T. Munger, the first director of the Pacific Northwest Research Station. Wind River Experimental Forest is best known for its old growth Douglas-fir/western hemlock forest stands, and the canopy crane which was installed in 1995 to study them. The bunkhouse is an approximately 15-minute drive from Carson, WA, which has typical small town amenities including grocery stores, coffee shops, and small boutiques. There is easy access to Trout Creek from the bunkhouse, and a section of the Pacific Crest Trail runs adjacent!

Pringle Falls Experimental Forest, La Pine, OR 

Members will be based at Pringle Falls Experimental Forest near La Pine, OR. Pringle Falls Experimental Forest is a natural laboratory within the Deschutes National Forest in central Oregon, dominated by ponderosa pine and mixed conifer forests in a rugged volcanic landscape. The shared bunkhouse at Pringle Falls is roughly 50 feet from the banks of the crystal-clear Deschutes River. Members may enjoy after-work activities like hiking, fishing, inner tubing, swimming, bird watching, and exceptional stargazing. Weather at Pringle Falls ranges from 100°F temperatures in August to heavy rains and snow in October. 

H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest, Blue River, OR

Members will be housed in a shared bunkhouse at the HJ Andrews Experimental Forest near Blue River, OR. The HJ Andrews was established in 1948 and has been a site of extensive research on watershed processes, forest ecology, forest-stream interactions, biological diversity, carbon cycling, and disturbance processes. It has also been part of the National Science Foundation's Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) program since 1980. Douglas-fir-western hemlock forest dominates at lower elevations and Pacific silver fir forest at upper elevations, with some age classes as old as 500 years. In the last few years, large-scale wildfires have burned a significant area of the HJ Andrews. 

Cascade Head Experimental Forest, Lincoln, OR

Members will be housed in a shared bunkhouse at the Cascade Head Experimental Forest near Lincoln City, OR. Cascade Head was established in 1934 to represent typical Sitka spruce-western hemlock coastal forests. The experimental forest is part of the greater Cascade Head Scenic Research Area, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, which includes prairie headlands and the Salmon River estuary, the only estuary on Forest Service lands in the conterminous United States. The bunkhouse is approximately a 10-minute drive from Lincoln City, a coastal town which has ample grocery stores, restaurants, local shops, and entertainment options. The close proximity to the Oregon Coast provides numerous recreational opportunities for members to enjoy outside of their work hours.

Starkey Experimental Forest and Range, La Grande, OR

Members will be housed in a shared bunkhouse at Starkey Experimental Forest and Range near La Grande, OR. Starkey is a unique facility with a rich history of rangeland and grazing research. The setting is ecologically similar to the interior western forest landscapes, with mixed conifer forests and open fields of bunchgrass. Wildflowers are abundant in the summer. Members will be housed in a shared bunkhouse, with work conducted at numerous locations across the topographically and ecologically diverse Umatilla and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests. The climate is highly variable, and members are likely to encounter snow at higher elevations from May to June with temperatures potentially as high as 100°F at lower elevations in the late summer.

The Pacific Northwest and Pacific Southwest Research Stations are leaders in the scientific study of natural resources. We generate and communicate impartial knowledge to help people understand and make informed choices about natural resource management and sustainability. The PNW Research Station has 11 laboratories and research centers in Alaska, Oregon, and Washington as well as 12 active experimental forests, ranges, and watersheds. The PSW Research Station includes three research zones in northern California, southern California, and Hawaii, and has 13 experimental forests, ranges, and watersheds. The PNW and PSW Research Stations are integral components of USDA Forest Service Research and Development (R&D), which is the most extensive natural resources research organization in the world. Forest Service R&D comprises five regional research stations, the Forest Products Laboratory, and the International Institute of Tropical Forestry. These research facilities, complemented by a network of 80 experimental forests, are strategically located to reflect the diversity of natural resources across the country.

For more information about the Pacific Northwest and Pacific Southwest Research Stations, please visit the US Forest Service website.

Position Overview:

The ACE members will travel using a government-provided vehicle to locations across California, Oregon, and Washington to conduct field work for multiple scientists at the PNW and PSW Research Stations.

Ecologists will work with ACE members to determine project assignments after onboarding. Project tasks may include:

• Deploying or retrieving autonomous recording units (ARUs) for wildlife.
• Maintaining and downloading data from weather stations and data loggers.
• Conducting surveys for fish, amphibians, and birds.
• Woodpecker nest searching and telemetry.
• Live trapping for small mammals, including handling, measuring, and ear-tagging individuals.
• Measuring and identifying vegetation including trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants.
• Characterizing fuel types including coarse and fine debris, soil material, and standing fuels.
• Independently recording and entering high-quality data.
• Navigating (including orientation using GPS, map, and compass) off-trail across steep, rough, unstable, and brushy slopes in all weather conditions from cold to hot and rainy to dry. Poison oak can be prevalent in some study areas. There is potential to encounter stinging insects, bears, cougars and other wildlife while driving or hiking.  
• Occasional camping in the field. Tents and camping equipment will be provided where needed. 

This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals.

Schedule: Schedules will shift over the course of the term depending on the position or project assignments. Early morning or night work may be required. Possible work schedules include four 10-hour days, five eight-hour days, and eight days on/six days off. Members will not work more than 80 hours every 2 weeks. Members trapping for small mammals will be expected to work on Labor Day and Indigenous Peoples Day due to the trapping schedule. 

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 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 (You must be between the ages of 16 and 30. Some agencies also interpret these guidelines to include veterans up to age 35) 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 USFS housing at no cost for the duration of the term. Primitive camping may also be required.

Relocation Allowance: ACE members will have access to up to $350 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 $200 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes boots/footwear 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 wilderness first aid/CPR training.

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.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website located on our Indeed homepage.
• Must be willing to travel frequently and move between bunkhouses over the course of their term. A government vehicle will be provided for travel between bunkhouses and all field work.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for these positions can hold or be pursuing a bachelor's degree in a natural resource field, and have experience with wildlife and/or vegetation, either in the field or through coursework.

• This is a highly physical outdoor position that requires substantial physical fitness and mobility, and a tolerance for extreme weather and demanding conditions.

• Experience driving 4x4 and/or all-wheel drive vehicles safely in off-road conditions.

• Experience hiking daily over long distances in remote, steep, and rocky terrain off trail, and in adverse weather conditions.

• Competency with data entry, summarization and compilation of data.

• Ability to navigate in remote areas using GPS, mobile devices, and paper maps/compass.

• Knowledge of the basic theories and practices of biological science sufficient to analyze findings

• Knowledge of the technical processes, procedures and techniques related to biological science samples, measurements, and analysis.

• Ability to work as part of a team to meet project goals, as well as independently to complete survey tasks.

• Familiarity with Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft products

• Experience conducting field work and biological surveys with established protocols

• Ability to work independently, and in small groups with minimal supervision, at day or night including hiking, driving, and following survey protocols.

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 handling small animals and plants, and 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 carrying up to 40 lbs., and camp overnight under field conditions.
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus. Strong color vision is needed to identify some animals and plants, but accommodations are possible.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 40 lbs., ability to move up to 50 pounds.
• Environmental: Work will be mostly outdoors. Outdoor conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions such as snow, heavy rain, and extreme heat is expected. Wildfire smoke in the summer is common; members may be required to wear N95 masks.
• Travel: Frequent domestic travel is required.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE members may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland conditions, poisonous or thorny plants, biting insects, and potentially dangerous wildlife. The members may be exposed to wildfire smoke in the late summer/early fall but will be provided with N95 masks to protect airways and/or given alternate tasks to limit exposure and exertion on days where air quality is poor. These positions may include handling animals, which may expose members to zoonotic diseases despite wearing PPE. The members are expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/members, equipment or resources, and animals.

Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety: If a vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties, one will be provided by the US Forest Service. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the US Forest Service. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the US Forest Service, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to US Forest Service 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 Senior Member Manager Caris Hill.

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 enrolled in a program 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.