California State Parks Career Pathways Crew Member - Southern California

Summary:

American Conservation Experience (ACE), a nonprofit conservation corps with divisional branches in Sacramento, Palm Springs/Coachella Valley, and Ridgecrest, California, is seeking young adults interested in gaining hands-on conservation experience through a Career Pathways initiative in partnership with the California State Parks Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division. Participants will work on meaningful conservation projects on California state park lands while developing technical skills, professional networks, and experience relevant to careers in natural resource management, public lands stewardship, and conservation.

This Career Pathways crew is designed to provide training, mentorship, work experience, and professional development that prepares participants for future employment in conservation and public lands management. Through service projects and mentorship from ACE and California State Parks professionals, members will gain exposure to conservation career pathways, build practical field skills, and explore opportunities within California State Parks and the broader conservation field. ACE is committed to providing a welcoming, respectful, and supportive environment where participants from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences can succeed.

Crew members will serve on a 15-week project in partnership with California State Parks focused on rehabilitation of Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) trails and implementation of strategies to protect native plant communities, including aquatic resources within OHV recreation areas. Participants will gain hands-on field experience across several conservation disciplines while receiving mentorship, career exploration opportunities, and professional development support from ACE and California State Parks staff. Additional training opportunities may include Wilderness First Aid (WFA), Mental Health First Aid, and other certifications that support career readiness in the conservation field.

This position is funded through the Parks California Career Pathways Program and administered by American Conservation Experience in partnership with California State Parks.

Start Date: November 5, 2026

Estimated End Date: March 10, 2027

Location: Palm Springs, CA

Field projects take place throughout California and the Pacific West, with a heavy emphasis on Southern California State Vehicular Recreation Areas.

Schedule: For this term of service, members will be assigned to serve on the California State Parks OHMVR Career Pathways Program. Project schedules can be variable, but typically members will serve 8 days on/ 6 days off. Applicants must be able to serve the full term of service to complete the duration of this program.

Benefits: Member compensation and benefits include a package valued at over $2,000/month:

Members will receive a Living Allowance of $400/week, paid bi-weekly.

• Members obtain an Education Award for the amount of $1,956.35 (for 13 weeks) or $3,697.50 (for 26 weeks) upon successful completion of service.

• ACE provides members with food during all project days; members are responsible for providing their own food on off-days.
• ACE provides members with free housing during their term of service. When working in or near the Palm Springs base location, members spend off days in our hostel-style housing with other ACE members in Palm Springs, CA. The members will provide their own blankets/pillow/sleeping bag/towels.
• AmeriCorps members may also be eligible for qualifying child care coverage and federal loan forbearance. Additional enrollment steps are required.
• Access to ACE's Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for free, confidential services to help you and/or any members of your household to manage a variety of different challenges or issues.

Gear: ACE provides each member their own tent. The members will provide their own sleeping bag, sleeping pad, rain gear, and hiking boots. Upon acceptance to the program, members will receive a more extensive packing list. Weather can be highly variable, so plan on bringing layers of warm clothing and adequate rain gear. Members will have access to deeply discounted Pro Deals via Outdoor Prolink once they are offered and accept a position, and will have the opportunity to purchase discounted gear prior to their arrival.

Travel: ACE provides transportation to and from worksites; personal vehicles are not necessary throughout the member's term of service. ACE does not provide relocation assistance.

Position Description:

Members serve as one professionally supervised crew as they explore future outdoor careers within the California State Parks system, learn practical field skills, and develop confidence as emerging professionals and leaders in the conservation field. Members are afforded opportunities to learn and train under the guidance of professional mentors within ACE, while gaining invaluable career perspectives working alongside staff from California State Parks.

Field work and additional responsibilities might include but are not limited to:

• Aquatic Resource Protection
• Vertical Mulching
• Native Revegetation
• Plant identification/Monitoring
• Sign and barrier Installation
• Invasive species removal

Members get experience with, or in conjunction with, the following tools and equipment, depending on their level of training:

• Trail Maintenance: Pick mattocks, Pulaskis, shovels, single/double jacks, McLeods, single bit axes, rock bars, chisels, crosscut saws, and griphoists.
• Restoration Equipment: Herbicide backpack sprayers, spray bottles, GPS units, and measuring tools.
• Power Tools and Gas Powered Equipment: Chainsaws, brush-cutters, drills, saws, and compressors.

Qualifications: Applicants 18-25 years of age are eligible to apply. ACE is committed to providing a welcoming, respectful, and supportive environment where all participants can contribute, learn, and succeed. The Parks California Career Pathways crew program is designed to foster greater access and opportunity for LGBTQ+ individuals and others who have historically been underrepresented or faced barriers to entering the conservation field. We strongly encourage individuals from these communities to apply.

Applicants should be prepared to perform physically challenging labor on environmental and conservation projects for 10 hours a day. Applicants should expect to hike extended distances on rough terrain carrying backpacks, tools, and equipment, and be prepared to spend 8 consecutive days camping and working in the field. Members will work in a variety of weather conditions such as temperatures ranging from below freezing to over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, high winds, intense sunshine, rain, and snow. Members should be prepared to live in communal housing with other members of the program.

Required:

• Must be a United States Citizen, United States National or Lawful Permanent Resident Alien of the United States.
• Able and willing to work in a group
• Able and willing to work outdoors in varying weather conditions and capable of hiking moderate distances in somewhat rough terrain during inclement weather conditions
• Willingness to undergo and must pass a required criminal history check
• Able and willing to work effectively with people from a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.
• If driving is required: A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record . Members must be 21+ to drive due to ACE's insurance and liability requirements.

Preferred:

• Experience in hiking and navigation in steep terrain
• Strong desire to enter the conservation field as a natural resource professional
• Experience or interest in volunteering in local communities

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 or equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Ability to hike over rough terrain, and camp overnight under field conditions.
• Vision Requirements: Close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus may be required.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 25 lbs., ability to move 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 as gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools.
• Travel: This position requires 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.

The member must be willing to represent ACE and AmeriCorps in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner. ACE has a zero tolerance policy for illegal drugs and underage drinking. ACE reserves the right to require drug testing.

To Apply: Please submit a thoughtful resume AND upload a cover letter or motivational statement, and provide at least 2 references that are either professional or from a community leader (eg colleagues, teachers, counselors, religious leaders, career advisors) using the APPLY NOW section located on the upper right hand corner of the position listing on our website: https://usaconservationcrew.applicantpool.com/jobs/981215.html

NOTE: 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 Pacific West's Coachella Valley Member Support Coordinator, Anna Hoskins, ahoskins@usaconservation.org

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.