Trails Member – George Washington Memorial Parkway

Overview

SummaryAmerican Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service, is seeking two Trail Members to contribute to trail maintenance projects alongside George Washington Memorial Parkway Staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit: www.usaconservation.org.

Start Date: March 6th, 2023

Estimated End Date: July 7th, 2023

*an 18-week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: George Washington Memorial Parkway – Arlington, VA

The George Washington Memorial Parkway is a 25-mile-long parkway with more than 25 park sites. It is a carefully planned scenic route to the nation’s capital. From the north it curves alongside the Potomac Gorge, highlighting its steep cliffs and rich woods. From the south it is a broad avenue punctuated with monuments to America’s history. Overlooks and picnic areas dot its length, providing places to rest and admire the land it passes through.

For more information about George Washington Memorial Parkway, please visit www.nps.gov/gwmp

Position Overview: The two ACE Members will be based out of the Parkway’s Facility Maintenance Yard in Arlington, VA. They will work alongside Park Service employees on their day-to-day maintenance operations and on special projects. The ACE Members will also be expected to work together as a team independently of Park Service personnel. Work will be conducted within an urban park setting with consistent traffic from vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians. Safe working standards will be followed. These two ACE positions will provide the National Park Service with much needed support to effectively achieve the Agency’s program obligations.

The Mount Vernon Trail (MVT) is a heavily used, paved, multi-use trail that stretches 18 miles from George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate to Theodore Roosevelt Island. MVT connects with regional trails, multipurpose playing fields, playgrounds, picnic areas, boat launches, marinas, and expansive natural areas. MVT serves as a major commuting and recreation trail. Maintenance standards are high. Encroaching vegetation often obstructs the trail path and site lines. This encroachment can lead to unsafe passing conditions and increased conflicts between trail user groups (i.e., runners, bikers, etc.). Uncontrolled vegetation trapping moisture, developing roots, and dropping debris on the trail reduces the lifecycle of the asphalt surface. Erosion and root upheavals along the trail have caused damage to the asphalt including unsafe, uneven surfaces and the loss of trail edge. Aging wooden bridges have rotted and broken components.

The two ACE Members will contribute 18 weeks to address trail maintenance needs under the direction of the George Washington Memorial Parkway Trail Maintenance Supervisor. The work will focus mainly on the south 8 miles of the trail with the goals of removing encroaching vegetation, addressing erosion, asphalt surface repairs, debris removal, and repairs

Tagged as: Conservation, Trail Supervisor, Crew, and Leaders

Required Skills:

Qualifications

Required:

Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, as required byU.S. government contracts
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).
Willing to undergo and must pass the required three-part criminal history c

Preferred Skills:

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 trail maintenance, landscape work, natural resource management, or carpentry.
Knowledge of local flora, hydrology, or landscape design.
Ability and willingness to learn new hands-on skills,lift loads up to 40lbs., and to work outdoors.
Deep interest in park operations, recreation management, land management, and resource protection.