Wilderness & Trails Technicians

Location

Roseburg, OR | United States

Job description

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the Umpqua National Forest, is seeking Two Wilderness & Trails Technician Members to contribute to Trail Monitoring project alongside US Forest Service Staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit: .

Start Date: 06/03/2024

Estimated End Date: 09/20/2024

*a 16-week minimum commitment is required *

• 1 Member - Toketee Ranger Station

• 1 Member - Tiller Ranger Station

Location Details/Description: Umpqua National Forest; Diamond Lake, North Umpqua, and Tiller Ranger Districts - NOTE: These are remote duty stations.

Toketee Ranger Station (Diamond Lake RD) -located approximately 60 miles east on Hwy 138 from the nearest full service community of Roseburg, OR. There are no services such as gas and groceries at this site, only the Ranger Station and government housing. Please be prepared to live and work in this remote, mountain setting.

Tiller Ranger Station - located approximately 23 miles east on Douglas Co. Hwy 1 from Canyonville, OR. There are no services such as gas or groceries at this site, only the Ranger Station and government housing. Please be prepared to live and work in this remote location.

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 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 three large campgrounds with approximately 400 campsites.

Both Tiller and Toketee Ranger stations 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.

For more information about Umpqua National Forest, please visit

Position Overview: This opportunity is intended for enthusiastic professionals, with a deep interest in trail monitoring and management on National Forest land, including Wilderness areas.

The Wilderness and Trails Technicians will assist Forest Service personnel with the maintenance of FS-system trails, and will include trail repair, log out, occasional construction/reconstruction of infrastructure, the monitoring of designated Wilderness areas with a focus on inventorying user-created trails and recreation sites, and coordinating with various partner organizations during projects. Members will also help with educating the public about Wilderness awareness and regulation compliance, campsite impacts and Leave No Trace (LNT) principles.

Position Duties:

• Use GPS/GIS to complete map and collect data on trails and conditions, and complete inventories of recreation sites and user-created trails within Wilderness.
• Maintain Forest Service system trails to standard using tools such as crosscut saws on frequently large-diameter logs, hand saws, shovels, pulaskis, McLeods, grip hoists, rock bars and other tools related to trails maintenance.
• Provide excellent visitor service by answering the public's questions on Wilderness regulations, LNT ethics and nearby recreational attractions.
• Potential to assist with other projects in programs, such as Botany and Wildlife.

This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups.

Schedule: The schedule will be four days a week, 10 hour days.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $600/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly. The living allowance is a fixed rate determined by the US Forest Service and ACE and is not flexible.

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. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general information online .

Housing: ACE members will be accommodated in USFS provided housing at no cost for the duration of the term. Housing will be in a typical bunkhouse setting. For the Tiller Ranger District, there is no wifi or cell reception. Members will have access to a government computer account, and may occasionally use the office phones for personal calls.

Relocation Assistance: ACE members will have access to up to $400 to be used for eligible relocation expenses. Further details regarding distribution of these funds will be provided during the interview process.

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. Specific training may include a variety of trail maintenance skills and techniques, and may have the opportunity to complete more specialized training in crosscut, chainsaw or rock-work/rigging operations.

Qualifications

Required:

• Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, as required by U.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 two-part criminal history check.
• 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.
• Personal reliable transportation is required, as the duty station is considered remote.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website .

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a minimum of a bachelor's degree in the natural resource field and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as public lands.
• All candidates are encouraged to apply, though local candidates will be strongly considered.
• Knowledge of backpacking and trails.
• Ability and willingness to learn the use of a GPS unit. Experience with GIS software is preferential.
• Ability to work outdoors while using and transporting a variety of hand tools including crosscut saws, shovels, rakes, loppers, power tools, rigging, etc.

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. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Ability to hike over rough terrain, 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 55 lbs., ability to move up to 70 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
• Noise Environment : Moderate to high noise such gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounter 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 US Forest Service or ACE. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the US Forest Service. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the US Forest Service , will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to US Forest Service 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 the online application page for this position here: . 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 BLM/FS Member Manager, Anna-Louise Calliham at [email protected] .

EEO: Employment with ACE is based upon ability, qualifications, attitude, and job-related factors. Every qualified employee 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, creed, sex, gender, national origin, pregnancy, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information (including of a family member), veteran or military status, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, 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.

Job tags

Salary

$600 per week