Individual Placement-Alaska- Trails, Cabins, & Developed Recreation

Student Conservation Association•Cordova, AK

11d•Onsite

About The Position

Placements with the Chugach National Forest, Cordova Ranger District, will perform cabin maintenance, trail maintenance and construction, and developed recreation site maintenance (80%). They may also perform stream bank and wetlands restoration (20%). Primary work may focus on one of cabins, trails, and developed recreation depending on Forest needs and placement interest. All duties are performed in the field using a variety of power and non-power tools including shovels, Pulaski, rock bars, chainsaws, and brush cutters. This is a multi-discipline position working for a Forest Service district recreation program. Placements need to bring a positive attitude, willingness to work in inclement (wet) weather, long days and spiked out in remote field camps. The position will include interdisciplinary collaboration while working to safely maintain and manage recreation infrastructure in a remote Alaskan community. Location Cordova, AK Schedule June 1, 2026 - September 19, 2026 Cordova is a small fishing community situated on the southeast shore of the Prince William Sound and is accessible only by air and water. Cordova Ranger District is approximately 2.6 million acres and is a unique ranger district with a management emphasis on fish, wildlife, recreation, and information/education. The district has a number of exceptional resources including the 700,000-acre Copper River Delta, numerous spectacular glaciers, over 40 miles of developed hiking trails and 90 miles of primitive trail, 16 public use cabins, and a wide variety of fish and wildlife resources including trumpeter swans, dusky Canada geese, grey wolf, moose, brown and black bear, mountain goat and all five species of Pacific salmon. Cordova is located at the extreme northern zone of the Pacific Northwest temperate rainforest and has a maritime climate which is characterized by cool summers, mild winters and heavy year-round precipitation. Summer temperatures average between 50 and 65 °F, with highs occasionally reaching into the upper 70's in July and August. Total precipitation averages 168 inches annually in Cordova. Cordova has a permanent population of approximately 2,500 persons. With the summer influx of fishermen, cannery workers, and service industry personnel the population grows to approximately 5,000. The city operates a first-class harbor and port, provides excellent cultural facilities such as the museum and library, and celebrates six major community festivals each year.

Requirements

Driver's license
This SCA Position is authorized under the Public Land Corps Authority. All participants must be between the ages of 16 and 30, inclusive, or veterans age 35 or younger. Participants must also be a citizen or national of the United States or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States. Hours served can be applied toward the Public Land Corps (PLC) hiring authority.

Nice To Haves

Require a versatile, self-motivated, and positive team member with existing knowledge or desire to build a skill set in cabin and recreation infrastructure maintenance, developed recreation site operations and maintenance, and trail construction activities.

Responsibilities

Working as a trail crew member maintaining and reconstructing hiking trails.
Working as a crew member maintaining and repairing developed and dispersed recreation sites.
Working as a crew member maintaining public use cabins.
Assisting in public information/education outreach including trail hikes, education programs, and special events.
Working as a crew member assisting wildlife and fisheries biologists in data collection, waterfowl nest island maintenance and streambank restoration.