Invasive Plant Management Member -southeast Invasive Plant Management Team – Big South Fork National River And Recreation Area

American Conservation Experience is seeking an Invasive Plant Management Member for a 16-week position at Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area in Kentucky. The role involves controlling non-native plants, mapping distributions, and assisting with resource management projects. The position requires a commitment starting mid-May 2026 and offers opportunities for professional development and networking within land management agencies.
Summary:

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area is seeking ONE Invasive Plant Management Member to contribute to IPMT projects alongside NPS Staff.

Start date: Mid May 2026 (some flexibility for the right candidate)

End date: 16 weeks after start
• a 16-week minimum commitment is required*

Location Details/Description:

Located in north-eastern TN/south-eastern KY, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area encompasses approximately 125,000 acres of rugged terrain within the Cumberland Plateau. The focal point of the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area is the massive gorge, with its sheer bluffs at the gorge rim towering over wooded talus slopes and naturally fluctuating river (and its tributaries) below. The area boasts 90 miles of scenic gorges and sandstone bluffs, is rich with natural and historic features and was established to provide visitors with a wide range of outdoor recreational activities. Visitors enjoy 200 miles of hiking, 225 miles of horse trails and approximately 100 miles of mountain biking trails, including the 33-mile Epic Bike Loop.

One of the many ways the NPS is addressing invasive species is through the Invasive Plant Management Program. The program assists parks in preventing introductions of new species, reducing existing infestations, and restoring native plant communities and ecosystem functions.

Position Overview: The members will control non-native plants using both manual and chemical methods (75%), perform distribution mapping of non- native plants using GPS (10%), and assist with additional resource management field, GIS, and data management projects (15%).

MAJOR DUTIES:
• Collects and organizes field data, following instructions and standardized procedures, seeking assistance for situations not covered by instructions or guidelines.
• Conducts cyclic treatment and monitoring of hemlock trees to suppress hemlock woolly adelgid, and non-native invasive plant species to protect rare plant habitat and native plant communities.
• Under the supervision of a certified pesticide applicator, mixes and applies pesticides to invasive species following instructions on product labels.
• Ensures adequate quality control of data collected.
• Utilizes a variety of computer programs to enter, compile, reduce, store, and retrieve data and other resource management information.
• Makes field observations of natural resource conditions. Evaluates observed conditions and problems and makes preliminary determinations on the cause of problems noted. Provides results to higher-level specialists.
• Provides information to other employees and visitors about natural resource management programs; refers unusual questions to the supervisor.
• May develop and present related interpretive programs to the public, provide advice, assistance, and training to students, student conservation assistants, and volunteers involved in resource management projects.

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

Schedule: Schedule will be primarily Mon-Thursday 7am-5:30pm (10 hour days)

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute 40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $650/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: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or NPS.

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.

Qualifications

Required:
• Members must be authorized to work in the United States. ACE does not provide sponsorship for employment visas.
• 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). Members must be 21+ to drive due to ACE’s insurance and liability requirements.
• 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.
• Member may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website located on our Indeed homepage.

Preferred:
• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a minimum of a bachelor’s degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as botany, ecology, biology, natural resources, environmental science, or a related field.
• Experience with invasive plant management or restoration.
• Experience identifying and managing native and non-native plants.
• Experience using GPS and GIS software.

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 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.
• 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 35 lbs., ability to move up to 50 pounds.
• Environmental: may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland conditions, biting insects, and potentially dangerous wildlife, and poisonous plants. The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/members or resources.
• Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise such as gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools.
• Travel: This position may require occasional 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 in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, 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 NPS or ACE. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the NPS. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the NPS, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to NPS 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 ACE EPIC Member Manager, Emily Oostveen.

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.