EMERGING PROFESSIONALS IN CONSERVATION (EPIC)

ACE has agreements with various federal and non-federal agencies, many of which come with age restrictions.

Unless specifically noted, all positions require participants to be at least 18. The majority of our federally funded positions have a maximum age of 30 (or 35 for Veterans), particularly those with the National Park Service, the US Forest Service, and the Bureau of Land Management.

Generally, non-federal positions do not have maximum age limits.

In all cases, any age restrictions will be specifically listed on the position announcement.

ACE enters into agreements with federal, state, and local agencies, as well as private and nonprofit organizations dedicated to conservation efforts. When offered and hired for an ACE position, you are identified as an ACE member and are not a federal, state, or local government employee.

Yes, tattoos and piercings are fine, as long as they are not in violation of ACE’s commitment to foster an inclusive environment, free of discrimination and harassment.

Additionally, any newer tattoos and/or piercings must be fully and completely healed before beginning any field based positions with EPIC or you must seek ACE supervisor approval prior to beginning your term of service. New piercings and tattoos require sterile and dry conditions, no sun exposure, and a specific aftercare routine in order to heal properly and prevent infection. Because participating in an EPIC field based position involves doing rigorous work projects outdoors for extended periods of time in all weather, it is generally not possible to safely care for a new tattoo or piercing. Additionally, time off will not be given to ACE members to support the healing of a body modification completed during a term of service.

ACE has agreements with both federal and non-federal partners. Our federally funded agreements require applicants to be a U.S. Citizen (born or naturalized), a U.S. National or U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident.

For non-federally funded positions, applicants must be a U.S. Citizen, U.S. National, U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident, or be authorized to work in the U.S (i.e. hold an official Employment Authorization Document – EAD).

If you are uncertain of your eligibility for a particular position, please contact an ACE representative. Please note that neither ACE nor our partner organizations sponsor Visas.

Direct Hire Authority is a designation you may see in some position descriptions which allows members with certificates to apply to federal positions that are normally only open to internal hires, and it allows agency staff to expedite the hiring process by eliminating rating and ranking, veterans’ preference, as well as typical selection procedures. For all five agencies (NPS, BLM, USFS, USFWS, USBR), this hiring authority is intended to increase representation of those coming from diverse or disadvantaged backgrounds.

BLM: In the Bureau of Land Management’s DHA program, applicants are required to be currently enrolled in higher education, and can’t be graduated yet, and must be 17 years of age or older.

BOR: In the Bureau of Reclamation’s DHA program, applicants are required to be currently enrolled in higher education, and can’t be graduated yet, and must be 17 years of age or older.

NPS: In the National Park Service’s Resource Assistants Internships DHA (RAI-DHA) programs, applicants are required to be enrolled in a post-secondary degree program (undergraduate or higher) through the duration of the internship.

FWS: In the US Fish & Wildlife Service’s DHA Directorate Fellows Program (DFP), applicants are required to be currently enrolled in higher education, and can’t be graduated yet, and must be 17 years of age or older. (Applicants may have just graduated undergrad and be accepted into a graduate program in the coming semester).

USFS: In the US Forest Service’s DHA Resource Assistants Program (RAP), there are no age or education restrictions to apply (other than 18 or older), but in order to utilize your certificate, you will have had to complete an Associates Degree or higher. Because of this requirement, preference may be given to applicants who already hold an Associates Degree or higher.

For any ACE position that requires driving, members must be 21 years of age or older, have a current and valid driver license, and possess an insurable driving record. Members must consent to have ACE run a motor vehicle record check to confirm that their driving record is insurable. Enrolling members will also complete a required defensive driving course and sign a driving contract. If you are unsure whether a position you are interested in will require driving, please reach out to the ACE contact person listed in the application.

If you feel you may not be eligible to drive for ACE, and it is listed as a requirement in the position announcement, please inquire with the ACE point of contact before applying.

There is no blanket education requirement across all EPIC positions.

EPIC positions are designed to give individuals specific experience in a particular position or agency, and therefore sometimes seek applicants with specific career or educational skills. Specific educational attainment may be recommended for a position, but won’t be required unless it is explicitly stated.

Often, on-the-job experience can substitute for education. Similarly, education in a specific field can often substitute for job experience. A college degree is not required for most EPIC positions.

Public Land Corps (PLC) is primarily two things; 1) An federal act that provides youth opportunities to participate in conservation on public lands and 2) A non-competitive federal hiring authority for members who receive their PLC Certificate after service on a PLC project with ACE.

Most of ACE’s projects are funded through the PLC Act (PLC will be listed on the position announcement) which comes with some guidelines.

In order to be eligible for a PLC Certificate, participants must:

• be between the ages of 16-30, inclusive, and veterans up to age 35.
• be a U.S. Citizen, U.S. National or U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident.
• have received their high school diploma or equivalent, or agree to obtain a high school diploma or equivalent. While this is not a requirement to enter a PLC funded position with ACE, you will need to have a
• GED or higher to receive and use the PLC certificate.
• complete 640 total hours, with 120 of those hours worked directly on PLC funded projects.

Members with a PLC Certificate may apply to federal positions that aren’t open to the general public, but must otherwise meet other position requirements listed on the federal job announcements.

ACE has adopted an Alcohol and Drug Policy which prohibits the use, possession, paraphernalia, manufacture, sale or distribution of alcohol or drugs (including marijuana and excessive quantities of prescription or over-the-counter drugs) on ACE premises or during ACE time.