American Conservation Experience
USFS Wilderness and Trails Technicians
Summary:
American Conservation Experience, a Non-Profit Conservation Corps based in Flagstaff, AZ,
in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, Umpqua National Forest, is seeking four
Wilderness and Trails Technicians to dedicate 12-16 weeks to the monitoring of
wilderness characteristics within designated Wilderness areas and performing of trail work
on National Forest System Trails on the Umpqua National Forest.
The objective of this opportunity is to provide meaningful work experiences for enthusiastic
young professionals while also providing a benefit to public land resources or users. The
participants will gain job skills related to the management of public lands by working with
land managers on various projects. This position requires applicants to have a background
in recreation management, ecology, natural resources, conservation, environmental
education, or closely related disciplines appropriate to the position, or a combination of
education, experience and equivalent courses.
Start Date: May 28, 2019 (some flexible within a week).
End Date: Late August to mid September
Location:
The participants under the supervision of a Forest Service Trails employee will work mainly
on trails, on the Diamond Lake, North Umpqua, and Tiller Ranger Districts.
The Diamond Lake District office is located at 2020 Toketee Ranger Station Rd, Idleyld Park,
OR 97447. The physical location of the office is at Toketee Lake, Oregon. The housing is
located in a remote community with no services located approximately, 62 miles east of
Roseburg, OR. The Tiller District office is located at 27812 Tiller Trail Hwy in Tiller, OR and is
located approximately 50 miles SE of Roseburg, OR.
The Tiller Ranger District, on the Umpqua National Forest is on the west side of the Cascade
Mountains in SW Oregon. The forest is characterized by deeply incised canyons, moderate
mountain elevations (less than 7,000 foot elevation), and includes the Rogue -Umpqua
Divide Wilderness. The summers are generally hot and dry, although cool, rainy weather is
possible at any time of year. The duty station is located in Tiller Oregon and is
approximately 26 miles from the nearest services and 50 miles from the nearest sizeable
city, (Roseburg, OR and Medford, OR).
The Umpqua National Forest covers nearly one million acres along the western slopes of the
Cascade Mountains in Southwest Oregon. The Forest encompasses a diverse area of
sparkling rivers and lakes, deep canyons, and rugged mountains up to 9,200 feet in
elevation. The Umpqua produces a wealth of water resources, timber, wildlife, fish,
minerals, and outdoor recreation opportunities. Included within the Forest are the North
Umpqua Wild and Scenic River, a portion of the Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway, Boulder
Creek Wilderness, Mt. Thielsen Wilderness, Rogue-Umpqua Divide Wilderness, the Oregon
Cascades Recreation Area, and the North Umpqua hydropower project. Also within the
Umpqua is the Diamond Lake Recreation Composite, one of the largest developed
recreational facilities within the Forest Service offering 3 large campgrounds with
approximately 400 campsites.
Project Background and Objectives:
For more information on the Umpqua National Forest please visit their website at:
http://www.fs.usda.gov/umpqua/
For more information about ACE and the EPIC program, please visit
www.usaconservation.org.
Compensation:
$200/wk living stipend. The typical work week will consist of 8-10 hours/day, 4-5
days/week. The participant should expect to work weekends. The ability to earn $1,566.14
through an AmeriCorps Education Award after successfully completing the entire term of
service and its requirements.
Housing: Provided by the Forest Service, bunkhouse accommodations (no pets allowed).
Position Description:
The Wilderness and Trails Technicians will assist the Forest Service personnel with
monitoring of designated Wilderness areas, with a focus on inventorying user-created trails
and recreation sites and maintaining existing FS-system trails. Participants, will help with
educating the public about Wilderness awareness and regulation compliance, campsite
impacts and Leave No Trace (LNT) principles. The work completed is reviewed for technical
adequacy and soundness and accomplishment of overall objectives.
Project Environment:
The work is predominantly an outdoor position, 90% of the time in the field, 10% of time in
an indoor setting (e.g. training, etc.). The climate is generally moderate, with temperatures
averaging 75 to 95 degrees during the summer months. Proper personal protective gear,
such as heavy duty boots, long pants and long sleeved shirts are required for days involving
field work. Field work will require working in both frontcountry and backcountry settings
(remote camping up to 5 days in a row). Walking, digging holes, posting signs, and other
general maintenance requirements may be required. The participant will be active in the
field that requires extensive bending, stooping, kneeling and lifting up to 50 pounds to
complete field work and ability to hike with a pack and tools for 10-15 miles per day.
• Please be aware that environmental conditions can be trying at times. Mosquitoes
can be very thick in the early season and temperatures can average in the upper 80-
90 degrees Fahrenheit in the middle of summer. Many of the trails maintained are
located in steep terrain with varying elevation gain.
Qualifications:
Primary duties include, but are not limited to the following:
● Use GPS/GIS to complete inventories for recreation sites and user-created trails
within Wilderness.
● Maintain FS system trails to standard using tools such as crosscut saws, hand saws,
shovels, Pulaski, Mcleods, grip hoists, rock bars and other tools related to trails
maintenance
● Provide excellent customer service by answering public’s questions on Wilderness
regulations, LNT ethics, and nearby recreational attractions.
● Participate in the Field Ranger program, providing environmental education and
interpretive programs to the recreating public at the Diamond Lake Amphitheatre for
Saturday Evening programs.
● Potential to assist with other projects in programs such as botany and wildlife.
Required:
● Members must be US citizen or possess a green card
● Must be 21 – 30 years of age (up to 35 for veterans).
● Since this position requires driving, members must be 21+.
● Ability and willingness to undergo a federal criminal background check is required
● Must have a valid driver's license, clean driving record.
● Ability to drive an [Agency or ACE] vehicle is required for this position. ACE will
conduct a driving record check upon on-boarding and Members must be cleared
by ACE to drive.
● Personal reliable transportation is required as the duty station is considered
remote.
● Members must have a high a high fitness level and an interest in camping, with
potential for backcountry work trips.
● Ability to work alone/in a small group with minimal supervision.
● Ability to work in small teams in close/remote settings (teams of 3).
● Experience and/or ability to learn use of GPS unit.
● Must be able and willing to work outdoors and be capable of lifting 50 lbs.
● Must be able to take initiative, work independently, and participate in
collaborative efforts.
● Must be able to communicate clearly and concisely with resource professionals.
● The applicant must be able to work in the outdoors using and transporting a
variety of hand tools including; crosscut saws, shovels, rakes, loppers, power
tools, etc. In addition, prior backpacking and trails work experience is desirable.
The member must be willing to represent ACE and the USFS in a professional, positive and
enthusiastic manner.
**This position is subject to change/close at any time**
To Apply:
Please submit a resume, cover letter and 3 professional references using the APPLY
NOW section, located on the upper right hand corner of the position listing on our
website here: https://usaconservationepic.applicantpool.com/jobs/
Note:
Early consideration will be given as applications are received. If you have any questions
regarding this position, please feel free to contact the ACE EPIC USFS Recruitment Specialist
Celia Demers cdemers@usaconservation.org.