Mt. Hood National Forest, East Zone – Recreation Assistant Individual Placement

Northwest Youth Corps • Parkdale, OR

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Mt. Hood National, East Zone recreation program is recruiting for two, 1040-Hour (26 week) Recreation Assistant Individual Placements beginning April/May 2026 through October/November 2026. The Individual Placements will become immersed in a bustling recreation program on the beautiful Mt. Hood National Forest. The incumbents will typically work four ten-hour days per week. Some routine weekend work will be required. Duties include working alongside, and independently of, Forest Service employees, conducting trail scouting, maintenance, and improvements using saws and hand tools (75%) , as well as assisting in the operation and maintenance of campgrounds, trailheads, and fire lookout rentals ( 25%) . This work may require working in hot, cold, wet, or snowy conditions. Projects will include using power tools such as chainsaws (if training can be completed) and hand tools including hand saws, loppers, power drills, and other similar tools to complete small carpentry and maintenance projects throughout the East Zone of the Mt. Hood National Forest. All required tools and training will be provided by the Forest Service. Training opportunities may include chainsaw operations, crosscut saw, ATV, UTV, cross-country skiing, wildland firefighter coursework, and more.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizen or lawful, permanent resident
• Must pass a background/driver check
• Must have a high school diploma or GED
• Ages 18-30 (up to 35 for veterans)
• Willingness to work as part of a small team
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Recreation site or trail maintenance experience or a willingness to learn
• Experience or interest in recreating outdoors in the backcountry
• A positive attitude
• Current driver's license
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to work outdoors in remote settings and inclement weather on uneven ground
• Ability to hike 4-8 miles in a day in rugged country.

Nice To Haves

• Attention to detail
• Physically fit for long days of hard work
• Experience with hand tools and basic carpentry
• Coursework in recreation management, forestry, natural resources or related field
• A strong interest in resource management
• Personal transportation

Responsibilities

• Conducting trail scouting, maintenance, and improvements using saws and hand tools (75%)
• Assisting in the operation and maintenance of campgrounds, trailheads, and fire lookout rentals ( 25%)

Benefits

• $16,380 living allowance along with a $6,503 housing allowance and a $1,389.53 commuting fund for a total combined stipend of $24,272.83 dispersed monthly.
• Health care coverage is offered to this position.
• Additionally, the position includes a $500 gear reimbursement that may be used for supervisor approved position role relevant gear purchases.
• Workers' compensation, and FICA/Medicare are made available to the member(s).

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: High school or GED