Lake Tahoe Restoration Internship

American Conservation Experience: Lake Tahoe Restoration Internship

Internship Description: American Conservation Experience, a Non-Profit Conservation Corps based in Santa Cruz, CA, is currently hiring energetic, ambitious young adults to participate in a 3 month skills training program focused on restoration efforts in the Lake Tahoe National Forest.   Interns will serve with ACE at various locations around Lake Tahoe learning advanced trail maintenance skills under the supervision of professional ACE Crew Leaders. Interns may occasionally be assigned to alternate projects in other locations throughout the state as the need arises.  Interns will receive a $110 per week living allowance and food will be provided on work days. This is a valuable opportunity to learn and train among professional mentors.

Start Date: Start dates available in August
End Date: Corresponding end date in October

A three month commitment is required.

Location:  The crystal clear turquoise waters of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding mountains, forests, and wilderness areas of the Lake Tahoe Basin draw outdoor enthusiasts from around the world.   The Lake Tahoe Basin, divided between California and Nevada, also represents one of the most fragile ecosystems in North America, as soil erosion, algae growth, and invasive plants/animals threaten the unique high elevation alpine lake.   Tahoe has long sought a balance between embracing extensive recreational use and preserving the Basin’s delicate ecosystem.   ACE crews will be reconstructing hiking trails to encourage recreation in a sustainable manner that does not contribute to soil erosion and does not represent a threat to lake clarity. 

Internship Major Duties and Expectations:

Interns will support ACE and US Forest Service staff by assisting in the construction and maintenance of hiking trails. Typical duties include:

• Assisting agency staff with the construction of a variety of advanced trail structures such as stone staircases, dry stone retaining walls, rock check dams, waterbars, etc. Interns will also assist ACE staff in routine trail maintenance duties such as brushing trails, outsloping tread and clearing drainage structures.
• Completing work tasks as instructed by ACE staff, keeping daily work log and demonstrate proper work procedures and methods while working in the field with or near other volunteer groups.
• Following strict guidelines in making safety a priority, including the responsible use of personal protective gear and insuring that all tools, equipment, vehicles and other co-workers are working safely in all conditions.
• Following instructions from all ACE and USFS staff and understanding and respecting all wilderness regulations and policies.
• Working with a professional demeanor as a part of a team.

Working Conditions: Work is labor intensive and strenuous, performed outdoors in steep and hilly terrain and at elevations as high as 9,000 feet. Interns should anticipate adverse conditions including rain, wind, and even late summer snows, interspersed among weeks of sunshine. Crews may hike several miles uphill each day to reach the high elevation worksites, so physical fitness is an absolute requirement.

Qualifications: Applicants for ACE’s Restoration Internships in the Lake Tahoe National Forest must be at least 18 years old, have an established interest in conservation issues, and should take evident joy in tackling challenging situations with a positive mindset. Applicants must be willing to undertake arduous physical work in all types of weather and terrain, and to participate as a team member, dedicated to both ACE’s and the USFS’s mission. Applicants must be flexible to accepting other project assignments throughout the state as program need arises. The internship is meant as a stepping stone to environmental careers with land management agencies and as a gateway to potential advancement within ACE, not only as an interesting and rewarding way to spend 3 months working in a beautiful location. Drug users, including recreational smokers of marijuana, should not consider applying, as ACE reserves the right to require drug testing and generally abhors the presence of drug users in our program.

Other Requirements:
• Internship is available to US Citizens and Green Card holders only.
• Interns must have personal medical insurance for the duration of their participation with ACE.
• ACE will provide tents to all interns (upon request) but all other camping items such as sturdy boots, sleeping bags, backpacks, and raingear must be provided by successful applicants.

Application Deadline: Positions available immediately and open until filled. Please apply ASAP.

To Apply:

Please email a resume and cover letter along with 3 professional references to info@usaconservation.org with “Lake Tahoe Restoration Internship - stopdodo referred” in the subject heading of your email.  Please include the date that you are available to start in your email.