Job Description

Arborist Fellow - Yosemite National Park

Summary

American Conservation Experience a nonprofit Conservation Corps in partnership with Yosemite National Park is seeking Two Members to contribute to arborist projects alongside park Staff.

For more information about ACE please visit our website.

Start Date: Early February 2026

Estimated End Date: May 2026*a 12-week minimum commitment is required.*

Location Details/Description:

The ACE members will be based in El Portal CA in the Yosemite Division of Resource Management and Science building. A touchdown office space will be provided in the Cultural Resources Program branch of History Architecture and Landscapes. Work will primarily take place in Yosemite Valley with other work locations in Wawona Foresta and El Portal.

Yosemite National Park California known worldwide for its spectacular natural beauty is the backdrop for this position. Sitting astride the Sierra Nevada Mountains the park covers 1182 square miles of varied wilderness ecosystems from river valleys to alpine meadows to lofty 13000-foot-high peaks. Yosemite Valley is located 208 miles from San Francisco 81 miles from Merced and 94 miles from Fresno. Shopping medical postal and laundry services are available in the park and in El Portal. Elevation at the Valley floor is approximately 4000 feet and 2200 feet in El Portal.

For more information about Yosemite National Park please visit the NPS website.

Position Overview: The ACE EPIC members will assist Yosemite National Park staff in the stabilization of up to seven historic orchards and other culturally significant flora throughout the park. Through the work the members will perform the techniques of arboriculture to preserve trees as old as 170 years. Tasks will include pruning apple picking clearing dead and diseased trees removing encroaching vegetation and application of herbicide on trees recently cut. Other projects the ACE members may be tasked with are the dating of potentially historic trees and removal of non-historic fruit addition to working with Yosemites History Architecture and Landscapes branch the ACE members will also work with teams from Vegetation and Ecological Restoration Wildlife and Forestry. The members will also work with Horticulturists and Landscape Architects from other NPS offices.

Other specific tasks may include:

• Perform tasks related to orchard management dealing with horticulture and related landscape vegetation wildlife and soil management considerations.
• Serve as an Arborist responsible for the identification treatment preservation and maintenance of historic orchard landscapes and other culturally significant flora in the park.
• Work with park staff to determine equipment and material requirements.
• Conduct tree and plant inventories identify tree varieties assess plant health gather data to determine threatened/endangered or rare status and document location and range. Collect prepare and document representative plant specimens for grafting and documentation.

These individual placements are meant to facilitate professional development and promote exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups.

Schedule: Flexible schedule based on season and workload. 40 hours (8 to 10 hours a day) to be completed within the timeframe of Mon-Fri 7:30am - 4:30pm (or Mon-Thurs 7-6pm) PST. Schedule can be adjusted during times of extreme heat or cold and based on daylight hours.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute 40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $900/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses dispersed bi-weekly.

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a federal hiring authority upon completion of their term of service and 640 hours of service. If the duration of a PLC-eligible term is not long enough for Members to accrue 640 hours of service (16 weeks) the total hours served at the completion of the term may be eligible to be combined with hours accrued from another PLC-eligible term to meet the 640 hours requirement. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age ( You must be between the ages of 16 and 30. Some agencies also interpret these guidelines to include veterans up to age 35) and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility or view general eligibility information on our website.

Housing: ACE members will be accommodated in provided housing at no cost for the duration of the term.

ACE members may be asked to camp for a duration of their term in April/May.

Provided Training/Orientation: ACE members will receive position specific training and an orientation outlining ACE policies and procedures clear guidance on prohibited activities and networks for support.

Qualifications

Required:

• Members must be authorized to work in the United States. ACE does not provide sponsorship for employment visas.
• 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 drivers license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request). Members must be 21 to drive due to ACEs insurance and liability requirements.
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required criminal history checks
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• ACE Members will need to complete bi-weekly timesheets beginning of term feedback forms end of term evaluations and for longer terms a mid-term evaluation.
• Member may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements please visit our website located on our Indeed homepage.

Preferred:

• ISA Arborist Certification (or willingness to obtain certification).
• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing an Associate or Bachelors degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as horticulture arboriculture natural or cultural resources biology and related disciplines.
• Willingness to learn and work as part of a team.
• Interest in horticulture historic preservation and resource management.

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 computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop kneel climb stairs and ladders and/or crouch. Ability to hike over rough terrain lift and carry up to 25 pounds and camp overnight under field conditions.
• Vision Requirements: Requires close distance peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted : Frequently moves up to 20 lbs. ability to move up to 40 pounds. Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates. Mainly indoor office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled.
• Noise Environment : Moderate to high noise such as gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools. Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
• Travel: This position may require domestic travel.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounte r 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

Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety: If a vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties one will be provided by the NPS. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the NPS. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) typically provided by the NPS will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to NPS and ACE equipment training certification and safety protocols is required.

To Apply: Please submit your resume a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience and contact information for three professional/academic references to ACEs online application page for this position on our website. 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 Western NPS Member Manager Sabrina Caruso.

If you meet at least 70 percent of the qualifications we want to hear from you! ACE participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information when you are hired 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.

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