Aquatic Monitoring Field Crew Lead Member - American Conservation

Aquatic Monitoring Field Crew Lead Member - American Conservation Experience

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), is seeking one (1) Aquatic Monitoring Field Crew Lead Member to contribute to the New Mexico BLM Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring (AIM) of our public lands across the state. Each technician will work on a field team comprised of 2 individuals (one Crew Leader and one Crew Member) and collect data according to Assessment, Inventory & Monitoring (AIM) standardized methodologies and protocols.

AIM data are used by resource specialists and land managers across the Western United States to help inform land management decisions.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Start Date:

Early March 2026

Estimated End Date:
Late October 2026

* A 35-week minimum commitment is required*

BLM employees in New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and Kansas care for 13.5 million acres of public lands plus 42 million acres of public lands guided by the principles of multiple use and sustained yield, and a recognized need to protect and enhance the natural and human environment.

For more information about the BLM New Mexico State Office, please visit their website.

This is a field-based position with approximately 100% of the work taking place in an outdoor environment where the climate, weather, and terrain can be demanding. Field teams will be expected to work 10-hour days and will be required to camp for 8-day hitches in the field, followed by 6 days off. Travel will be provided from Santa Fe to the field sites across the state and back.

• Monitoring the safety and morale of the crew
• Measure indicators of water quality, including pH, Specific Conductance, total N and P, and Turbidity
• Sample Benthic macroinvertebrates
• Measure physical characteristics of waterways
• Using GPS to navigate to off-trail sampling sites
• Driving 4x4 vehicles in a backcountry setting
• Electronic data collection using a tablet and an ArcGIS geo-database
• Communication with ACE and BLM Staff
• Quality control of all data collected

This individual placement is 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.

8-day camping in the field, followed by 6 days off.

The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $825.00/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly. The living allowance is a fixed rate determined by the BLM and ACE and is not flexible.

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 and citizenship. Please see the ACE website for more information on PLC eligibility.

ACE Members will be eligible for reimbursable housing assistance up to $200.00/wk. The ACE Member will only be reimbursed for approved and demonstrated housing expenses.

ACE members will have access to up to $850.00 to be used for eligible relocation expenses. Further details regarding the distribution of these funds will be provided during the interview process.

ACE members will have up to $200.00 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes camping gear and working clothing gear, and must be approved by ACE staff prior to purchase.

ACE members will receive an orientation outlining ACE policies, procedures, and networks for support. Specific training from the BLM will include comprehensive training in Aquatic (Lotic) AIM methods.

• 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 driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request). Members must be 21+ to drive due to ACE's 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…