Pacific West Conservation Crew Backcountry Assistant Team Leader (ATL)- Coachell
American Conservation Experience, Palm Springs, CA, United States
Overview
American Conservation Experience (ACE) is a non‑profit conservation corps with divisional branches in Coachella Valley, CA, and seeks AmeriCorps Team Leaders (ATLs) to lead and support conservation projects across the Pacific West. ATLs typically serve 26 weeks on ecological restoration, habitat improvement, and trail maintenance projects while completing a term of AmeriCorps service.
Start Dates
1) 6/29/2026
Estimated End Dates
1) 1/27/2027
Location
Coachella Valley (Palm Springs), California. Projects take place throughout California and the Pacific West.
Schedule
Project schedules vary: typically ATLs serve 8 days on / 6 days off or 4 days on / 3 days off. Remote projects are scheduled similarly with off‑days near the project location.
Benefits
ATL compensation and benefits package valued at over $2,400 per month. Living allowance of $520 per week, paid bi‑weekly. Education Award of $3,697.50 for 900 service hours upon completion. Food is provided during all project days; ATLs provide own food on off‑days. Free housing is provided for the term of service. Eligible for qualifying child care coverage and federal loan forbearance with additional enrollment steps.
Gear
ACE provides each ATL with a tent. ATLs must supply their own sleeping bag, sleeping pad, rain gear, and hiking boots. A more extensive packing list is issued upon acceptance. Warm layers and adequate rain gear are recommended.
Travel
ACE provides transportation to and from worksites. Personal vehicles are not required during the ATL's term of service. ACE does not provide relocation assistance.
Position Description
ATLs serve in professionally supervised teams, learn practical field skills, and develop confidence as emerging leaders in conservation. ATLs assist Crew Leaders in all aspects of crew work and life, lead portions of crews independently, act as interim Crew Leaders when staff are absent, set a positive example for members, and perform other duties as assigned.
Field Work
Habitat restoration
Trail construction and maintenance
Dry and wet stone masonry
Reforestation
Forest thinning
Plant identification
Fencing
Invasive species removal
Swamping
Leading safety discussions
Discussing rules and regulations
Instructing members
Driving vehicles
Keeping living spaces clean and in good order
Tools and Equipment
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 should be prepared to perform physically challenging labor for up to 10 hours a day, hike extended distances on rough terrain with backpacks and equipment, and spend 8 consecutive days in the field on each project. Work may be conducted in weather ranging from below freezing to over 100°F, high winds, intense sunshine, rain, and snow.
Required
U.S. citizen or permanent resident
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 pass the required federal criminal history check
ACE participates in E‑Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I‑9 information when hired.
Preferred
3–6 months experience serving in a conservation corps setting
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
21+ to be eligible to drive ACE vehicles
Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions
Physical demands include 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 use of various tools or equipment.
May stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Capacity to hike over rough terrain and camp overnight in field conditions.
Vision requirements include 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 move up to 60 lbs.
Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions; work environment can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
Noise environment: Moderate to high noise from gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools.
Travel: This position requires domestic travel.
Environmental Conditions/Hazards
ACE members may encounter extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland conditions, biting insects, and potentially dangerous wildlife. Members are expected to conduct duties safely, maintaining order and protecting resources.
Professional Conduct
Members must represent ACE and AmeriCorps in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner. ACE enforces a zero tolerance policy for illegal drugs and underage drinking and reserves the right to require drug testing.
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.
Salary
$520 per week
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American Conservation Experience (ACE) is a non‑profit conservation corps with divisional branches in Coachella Valley, CA, and seeks AmeriCorps Team Leaders (ATLs) to lead and support conservation projects across the Pacific West. ATLs typically serve 26 weeks on ecological restoration, habitat improvement, and trail maintenance projects while completing a term of AmeriCorps service.
Start Dates
1) 6/29/2026
Estimated End Dates
1) 1/27/2027
Location
Coachella Valley (Palm Springs), California. Projects take place throughout California and the Pacific West.
Schedule
Project schedules vary: typically ATLs serve 8 days on / 6 days off or 4 days on / 3 days off. Remote projects are scheduled similarly with off‑days near the project location.
Benefits
ATL compensation and benefits package valued at over $2,400 per month. Living allowance of $520 per week, paid bi‑weekly. Education Award of $3,697.50 for 900 service hours upon completion. Food is provided during all project days; ATLs provide own food on off‑days. Free housing is provided for the term of service. Eligible for qualifying child care coverage and federal loan forbearance with additional enrollment steps.
Gear
ACE provides each ATL with a tent. ATLs must supply their own sleeping bag, sleeping pad, rain gear, and hiking boots. A more extensive packing list is issued upon acceptance. Warm layers and adequate rain gear are recommended.
Travel
ACE provides transportation to and from worksites. Personal vehicles are not required during the ATL's term of service. ACE does not provide relocation assistance.
Position Description
ATLs serve in professionally supervised teams, learn practical field skills, and develop confidence as emerging leaders in conservation. ATLs assist Crew Leaders in all aspects of crew work and life, lead portions of crews independently, act as interim Crew Leaders when staff are absent, set a positive example for members, and perform other duties as assigned.
Field Work
Habitat restoration
Trail construction and maintenance
Dry and wet stone masonry
Reforestation
Forest thinning
Plant identification
Fencing
Invasive species removal
Swamping
Leading safety discussions
Discussing rules and regulations
Instructing members
Driving vehicles
Keeping living spaces clean and in good order
Tools and Equipment
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 should be prepared to perform physically challenging labor for up to 10 hours a day, hike extended distances on rough terrain with backpacks and equipment, and spend 8 consecutive days in the field on each project. Work may be conducted in weather ranging from below freezing to over 100°F, high winds, intense sunshine, rain, and snow.
Required
U.S. citizen or permanent resident
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 pass the required federal criminal history check
ACE participates in E‑Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I‑9 information when hired.
Preferred
3–6 months experience serving in a conservation corps setting
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
21+ to be eligible to drive ACE vehicles
Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions
Physical demands include 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 use of various tools or equipment.
May stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Capacity to hike over rough terrain and camp overnight in field conditions.
Vision requirements include 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 move up to 60 lbs.
Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions; work environment can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
Noise environment: Moderate to high noise from gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools.
Travel: This position requires domestic travel.
Environmental Conditions/Hazards
ACE members may encounter extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland conditions, biting insects, and potentially dangerous wildlife. Members are expected to conduct duties safely, maintaining order and protecting resources.
Professional Conduct
Members must represent ACE and AmeriCorps in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner. ACE enforces a zero tolerance policy for illegal drugs and underage drinking and reserves the right to require drug testing.
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.
Salary
$520 per week
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