Recreation Technician

EPIC • Winthrop, WA

4d • Onsite

About The Position

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, is seeking three (3) Frontcountry Recreation Technicians to contribute to the project alongside USFS Staff. The Recreation Technicians will assist Forest Service personnel with the operation and maintenance of US Forest Service developed recreation sites, including campgrounds, trailheads, and day use areas. Work activities will include cleaning recreation sites, infrastructure construction and repair, vegetation management, maintaining information kiosks, and providing visitor information. 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.

Requirements

• Members must be authorized to work in the United States. ACE does not provide sponsorship for employment visas.
• 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). Members must be 21+ to drive due to ACE's insurance and liability requirements.
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required criminal history checks
• 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.
• ACE is a drug-free workplace and reserves the right to drug test at any time.
• Ability to pass a federal criminal background check.
• Personal reliable transportation is required, as the duty station is considered remote.

Nice To Haves

• Ability to pass a basic written test and road test to obtain a US Government Motor Vehicle Operator's Card.
• Ideal applicants will hold (or be pursuing) a bachelor's degree in a natural resource field, though relevant experience and a passion for public lands may be substituted.
• Prior trails and ranch work experience is preferred for similar types of work.

Responsibilities

• Serves as a member of a recreation site maintenance team to maintain Forest Service campgrounds, trailheads, day-use recreation sites, and dispersed recreation sites
• Provide excellent visitor service by answering the public's questions on nearby recreational attractions, rules and regulations, Leave No Trace best practices, and general interpretative information.
• Clean recreation sites, including outhouses, campsites, and trailheads
• Use tools such as loppers, weed whackers, and mowers to manage vegetation at recreation sites
• Use tools such as drills/drivers, staple guns, and other fasteners in install informational or regulatory signage at recreation sites
• Assist in the operation and maintenance of campground drinking water systems, including operating well pumps, taking water quality samples, and troubleshooting – under the supervision of experienced staff.
• With focused training and supervision, operate chainsaw to clear Forest Service recreation sites and access roads.
• Assist in the distribution and public communication of campfire restrictions when in effect
• Encourage recreation site fee compliance through educational contacts and providing reminders to visitors. This is not an enforcement position.
• Other manual labor tasks in support of developed recreation sites including raking or leaf-blowing detritus from campsites or accessible trails, spreading gravel, shoveling, or similar physical tasks.
• Other duties as assigned may include tasks such as helping disseminate information regarding wildfires (closure maps, etc.), supporting projects requiring heavy equipment (excavator, etc), assisting in hazard tree surveys using mapping software on USFS provided tablet.

Benefits

• Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $775/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.
• 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 and 640 hours of service.
• Relocation & Gear Reimbursement: A $500 reimbursement for Relocation, and a $200 reimbursement for Project Gear (such as boots ).
• Housing: May be available in Winthrop or Mazama in either a shared bunkhouse or a provided wall tent camping setting with access to a cooking area, bathroom, and shower house.
• Provided Training/Orientation: ACE members will receive position-specific training and an orientation that outlines ACE policies and procedures, provides clear guidance on prohibited activities, and offers networks for support. Specific training may include opportunities to complete more specialized training in crosscutting, chainsaw operation, and horse riding/stock packing.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level