Pacific West Backcountry Trail Conservation Crew Member

Overview

American Conservation Experience Pacific West, a non-profit conservation corps, is looking for members to join our team of young adults serving on meaningful conservation projects throughout California. ACE Pacific West crews work in locations including Yosemite National Park, Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park, Death Valley National Park, the Pacific Crest Trail, coastal State Parks, the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, and other locations.

We offer three base locations:
Sacramento, Coachella Valley, and Ridgecrest, California. This opportunity focuses on developing backcountry skills for a career in conservation while being part of a community of like-minded young professionals. Members will serve for 13 or 26 weeks on backcountry projects including ecological restoration, habitat improvement, and trail maintenance and construction, with Ameri Corps service completion in view. Members typically have 3–6 days off between projects to enjoy California’s recreational opportunities.

Start your step toward a conservation career by applying with us today.

Start Date: 04/20/2026

End Date: 07/29/2026

Locations: Sacramento, CA (base) and Klamath County, OR (working location). This is a three-month backcountry trails project located in the Gearhart Mountain Wilderness of the Fremont-Winema National Forest. Crew Members arrive in Sacramento for orientation and training, then relocate to Oregon for the remainder of the term. Transportation will be provided back to Sacramento upon completion.

Schedule: Members typically serve 8 consecutive 10-hour days in the field, followed by 6 days off. For this remote project, off-days are spent near the project location in Klamath Falls, OR.

Benefits: Member compensation and benefits include a package valued at over $1,700 per month.

• Living Allowance of $400/week, paid bi-weekly.
• Education Award amounting to $1,956.35.
• ACE provides meals during all project days; members provide their own food on off-days.
• ACE provides campsite accommodations; while remote, camping onsite with personal blankets/pillow/sleeping bag/towels.
• Ameri Corps members may be eligible for qualifying child care coverage and federal loan forbearance (additional enrollment steps required).

Gear: ACE provides each member with a tent, required PPE, and a bear can for backcountry projects. Members supply their own sleeping bag, sleeping pad, rain gear, and hiking boots. A comprehensive packing list is provided upon acceptance. Weather can be highly variable; plan for layers and rain gear. Members will have access to discounted gear via Outdoor Prolink after acceptance and may purchase gear before arrival.

Travel: ACE provides transportation to and from worksites; personal vehicles are not required. An ACE vehicle is available for off-day use. ACE does not provide relocation assistance to Sacramento.

Members serve in professionally supervised teams to explore outdoor careers, learn practical field skills, and develop leadership in conservation with a focus on backcountry trail skills. Training may include Wilderness First Aid (WFA), Chainsaw, and/or Crosscut Training. Members work with mentors and staff from the National Park Service, US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and other public land stewards.

Field work and responsibilities may include, among others:

• Trail construction and maintenance: tread maintenance and construction, brushing/clearing, logouts, drainage and drainage structures, grading and switchback construction.
• Backcountry camping and cooking; other related conservation skills: backcountry camping, cooking.

Required

• Must be a United States citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident.
• Able and willing to work in a group and outdoors in varying weather; capable of hiking long distances in rough terrain.
• Willingness to undergo and pass a required criminal history check (three-part or two-part).
• Ace participates in E-Verify and will provide Form I-9 information upon hire to confirm work authorization.

Preferred

• Experience in hiking, backpacking, and navigation in steep terrain.
• Experience in backcountry settings…