Summary

The American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Ridgecrest Field Office at California, is seeking four (4) Off-Highway Vehicle Restoration Technicians to contribute to a variety of projects alongside Bureau of Land Management (B.L.M.) staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Start Date: September 8, 2026

Estimated End Date: July 13, 2027

Location Details/Description: Ridgecrest Field Office, Ridgecrest, CA

The BLM Ridgecrest Field Office has stewardship responsibility of public lands from the eastern edge of the White Mountains outside of Big Pine, CA to the eastern Scodie Mountains outside of California City, CA. The Field Office oversees roughly 1.8 millions acres of Public Land, with the highest and lowest points within the continental U.S. a short drive from the office.

For more information on the BLM Ridgecrest Field Office please visit their website.

Position Overview:

This opportunity is intended for enthusiastic professionals with a background in Natural Resource Management, Recreation, Environmental Planning, or a closely related field, with a deep interest in advancing their career goals in the public sector outdoor recreation profession. The ACE members will maintain close interaction with the BLM Outdoor Recreation Planner and Natural Resource Staff to monitor sensitive species and their habitat and plan restoration projects within and adjacent to Off-Highway Vehicle recreation areas.

These positions will complete work throughout the Ridgecrest BLM managed lands to identify restoration project sites, monitor previous restoration efforts, work with restoration crews and/or volunteers to complete projects, and support recreation and natural resource management goals. There will also be opportunities to perform outreach and present educational talks to off-highway vehicle recreationists. Most of the work performed by the members will consist of:

• Collecting data on proposed restoration projects
• Monitoring the effectiveness of restoration
• Maintaining a GIS database
• Organizing outreach events and training for restoration crews
• Creating and presenting restoration project proposals with and to BLM staff
• Assisting with other recreation and resource related projects, as assigned.

In addition, the members will complete inventories, prioritize and coordinate work with staff, and initiate NEPA as needed. Members will be responsible for coordinating and completing projects on the ground. The emphasis would be placed on preserving and enhancing recreational opportunities by curbing problems before they become. The ACE members will be mentored by BLM staff. The ACE members will coordinate work regularly with the Outdoor Recreation Planner, but the field work will be carried out independently with little supervision. The member will work mostly from specific instructions, with work reviewed for accuracy and completeness upon completion of assignments.

This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promote exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups.

Schedule: The standard schedule is 40 hours per week and will require some weekend work to do visitor outreach during the busy season. The primary holiday weekends worked will be Friday and Saturday following Thanksgiving, and President's Day weekend. Additional non-holiday weekends may also be required to do outreach and volunteer events.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $875.00/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly. The living allowance is a fixed rate determined by the BLM and ACE and is not flexible.

Housing Assistance: ACE Members will be eligible for reimbursable housing assistance up to $225 per week. The ACE Member will be reimbursed only for approved and documented housing expenses.

Gear Assistance: ACE members will have up to $150 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes [boots, field equipment] and must be approved by ACE staff prior to purchase.

Training Assistance: ACE members will have up to $350 for training, personal development-related expenses.

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 see the ACE website for more information on PLC eligibility.

This position is part of the Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement must meet the PLC Eligibility requirements to be considered for this position. Members 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.

Qualifications

Required:

• Member must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, as required by U.S. government contracts.
• Willing and able to represent ACE and the BLM 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).
• Member must be 21 years of age or older.
• Ability and willingness to undergo a federal criminal background check is required.
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required two-part criminal history check.
• Personal reliable transportation is required as the duty station is considered remote.
• Members must have a moderate fitness level and an interest in camping, with potential for backcountry work trips.
• Ability to work alone/in a small group with minimal supervision in remote settings.
• Experience and/or ability to learn the use of a GPS-enabled tablet.
• Must be able and willing to work outdoors and be capable of lifting 50 lbs.
• Must be able to take initiative, work independently, and participate in collaborative efforts.
• Must be able to communicate clearly and concisely with resource professionals and the public.
• The applicant must be able to work outdoors using and transporting a variety of hand tools including shovels, rakes, loppers, etc.
• 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

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 is required for the use of various tools. 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: 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.
• Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise such as gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools.
• 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, swamp or wetland conditions, biting insects, and potentially dangerous wildlife. The member is expected to conduct duties safely and orderly so as not to endanger themselves, 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 BLM or ACE. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the BLM. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the BLM, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to BLM 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 the online application page for this position here: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/. 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 contact Member Manager, Yunielis Clemente Ortiz, yclemente-ortiz at usaconservation dot org

ACE values an inclusive workforce - 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 with ACE is based upon ability, qualifications, attitude, and job-related factors. Every qualified employee 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, creed, sex, gender, national origin, pregnancy, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information (including of a family member), veteran or military status, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, 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.