Park Ranger Individual Placement - Rio Puerco Field Office BLM

Rocky Mountain Youth Corps • Albuquerque, NM

15d • $0 - $18 • Onsite

About The Position

Rocky Mountain Youth Corps (RMYC) is seeking a Park Ranger Individual Placement to work with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) at the Rio Puerco Field Office (RPFO). This position is designed to provide meaningful job experience for young professionals looking to build their careers in conservation and land management. The intern will work with BLM staff, gaining experience in recreation and visitor services, youth programs, and interpretation, while contributing to the stewardship of approximately 860,000 acres of BLM-managed lands. Responsibilities include trail maintenance, kiosk development, route designations, interpretation, Recreation Area Management Plan development, grant writing, budget submission, and assisting with various BLM programs like wildlife, range, and forestry. Administrative duties involve data collection, report writing, and communication with BLM and RMYC staff. This role emphasizes professional development, exposure to land management agencies, and networking opportunities. The position is managed through RMYC with regular check-ins and life skills training, and as an AmeriCorps member, the individual will not serve in supervising roles.

Requirements

• 18-30 years old as of the position start date.
• Citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident of the United States.
• Complete a pre-employment National Service Criminal History Check and fingerprint scan.
• Insurable driving record and a valid driver’s license.
• High School Diploma, equivalent diploma (G.E.D.), or agree to obtaining one prior to using the Segal Education Award.
• Able to complete the entire length of the service term, including make up hours if necessary.
• Ability to sit, stand, walk, speak, hear, climb, balance, reach with hands & arms, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl on a frequent basis, and lift up to 50 pounds unassisted.
• Comfortable working outside and performing fieldwork for long periods of time in all weather conditions, including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland conditions, biting insects, and potentially dangerous wildlife.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Experience working as part of a team.
• Ability to work well with others in a professional setting.
• Self-motivated and able to work independently with limited supervision after the initial training period.
• Great attention to detail and problem-solving skills.
• Strong work ethic, and the ability to take initiative and work independently with periodic check-ins.
• Participation in one service event that benefits the community is required.

Nice To Haves

• Local candidates are preferred.
• Experience with full-bench trail construction and maintenance.
• Alternate experience, such as agriculture, landscaping, or other skills from similar fields.
• Chainsaw and/or crosscut experience (B-Faller or FAL2 preferred but not required).
• Strong project management, written and oral skills.
• Volunteer coordination and public relations skills.
• Wilderness First Aid (WFA) or Wilderness First Responder (WFR).
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field (conservation management, environmental science, biology, etc.).

Responsibilities

• Work with host site staff, other individual placements, and conservation corps crews on the construction and maintenance of multi-use trails, using hand tools and crosscut saws.
• Monitor volunteer groups and agency partners on the implementation of various projects across the district.
• Inspect trails post construction to ensure consistency with trail specifications.
• Maintain and install trailhead structures, such as signage.
• Track miles of trail improved and acres of land improved, along with other notable project work, for biweekly RMYC reports.
• Assist with BLM data collection, including monitoring and field surveys.
• Work with host site staff on the construction, maintenance, and management of developed recreation sites, including implementing site improvements and maintaining recreational infrastructure.
• Utilize vehicles such as excavators, skidsteers, trucks, trailers, etc., as part of a team.
• Perform wildfire and flood damage restoration.
• Assist with all levels of recreation management, serving as a project lead for projects and improvements.
• Support the management and development of recreation and educational nature interpretive programs, including working within the visitor center and assisting with visitor contact.
• Perform administrative tasks, including filing, organization, invoicing, and reporting.
• Demonstrate flexibility, adaptability, and capacity to work in a fluid, changing environment.

Benefits

• Healthcare coverage available at no cost to the member.
• 4 paid Not Scheduled Days.
• RMYC observes all National holidays (with potential to work on holidays if necessary).
• Student loan forbearance and interest payments for qualifying loans.
• Public Lands Hiring Authority status.
• AmeriCorps Segal Education Award scholarship upon successful completion of term of service.
• Potential to receive childcare benefits through the AmeriCorps Childcare Program.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED