Trail Crew Member - Tahoe National Forest, Multiple Districts

EPIC • Nevada City, CA

23h • Onsite

About The Position

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the US Forest Service, is seeking 10 Trail Crew Members to contribute to trail maintenance projects alongside Tahoe National Forest Staff. For more information about ACE, please visit our website. Start Date: May 2026 Estimated End Date: September 2026 specific dates are listed below Location Details/Description : Tahoe National Forest, multiple districts The Tahoe National Forest is located in the northern Sierra Nevada (east of Sacramento) and extends from the foothills across the Sierra crest to the California state line. It includes over 850,000 acres of public land interspersed with 350,000 acres of private land in a checkerboard ownership pattern. Rivers, snow-capped peaks and dense forests offer outstanding recreation year-round. A complex set of ecosystems are found as the terrain ascends from 1,500 feet along the western boundary to over 9,000 feet along the crest. The forest provides a variety of resources and opportunities and is managed by the Forest Service. Yuba River Ranger District: The Yuba River Ranger District offices are located in Camptonville, CA and Nevada City, CA. Many employees live in the Nevada City/Grass Valley area (population 20,000) located 25 miles south. Nevada City is a vibrant town alongside Grass Valley, CA with excellent access to trails, ski resorts, and world class rafting and swimming holes. Nevada City has a flourishing arts scene, hosts excellent concerts and music festivals, and has many restaurants and shopping areas. The Sacramento metro area is within an hour's drive for urban amenities. 16-Week Term Start Date: May 19, 2026 [05/19/2026] Estimated End Date: August 8, 2026 [8/8/2026] American River District: The American River Ranger District is located in Foresthill, California. Foresthill is a beautiful mountain community, located 17 miles east of Auburn and Interstate 80. Foresthill is surrounded on the south and west by the Auburn State Recreation Area, on the north by BLM lands, and on the east by National Forest. The American River Ranger District is distinguished with a portion of Granite Chief Wilderness, the North Fork American Wild River and Placer County Big Trees (northernmost grove of Giant Sequoias). 20-Week term Start Date: May 4, 2026 [05/04/26] Estimated End Date: September 21, 2026 [09/21/26] Truckee and Sierraville Ranger Districts : The Truckee Ranger District Office is in Truckee, California on Interstate 80, approximately 35 miles west of Reno, Nevada and 15 miles north of Lake Tahoe. The town elevation varies between 5200 and 7200 feet. Summer temperatures average in the upper 70s/low 80s, while winter temperatures can be as low as 14. Average annual snowfall is more than 200". The population is about 12,600. The Sierraville Ranger District office is located in Sierraville, California, a small town on scenic Highway 89 in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Sierraville is a beautiful community located at approximately 5,000 feet in elevation. Communities within 30 minutes of Sierraville include Truckee, Loyalton, Calpine, and Portola. 16-Week Term Start Date: June 1, 2026 [06/01/26] Estimated End Date: September 18, 2026 [09/18/26] For more information, please visit the Tahoe National Forest website. Position Overview: Work environment is physically demanding, usually in remote locations with high daytime temperatures. Perform trail maintenance on both front and backcountry trails. Trail maintenance may consist of logging out trails using either a chainsaw or crosscut saw, brushing, tread repair, repair and maintenance of trail structures such as bridges, steps, and waterbars. Construction of new trails, water bars, retaining walls, etc may occur. Maintenance of saws, equipment and gear will be required. Use of technology such as tablets and GPS systems will be utilized to collect field data such as trail feature inventory, sign inventory, work accomplishments, and resource damage locations. Campsite inventory may also be performed. Members that are chosen to perform trails and wilderness ranger duties will be required to camp in the backcountry for multiple nights to accomplish work assignments. Trail crew may occasionally work with agency partners. 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 Yuba River District: Monday-Thursday, ten hour days 07:00-5:30pm American River District: Monday- Thursday, ten hour days, 06:00-4:30pm Truckee and Sierraville Districts: Monday-Thursday 07:00-5:30

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.
• Member may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement

Nice To Haves

• Competitive applicants for this position have relevant experience in trail maintenance or construction, landscaping or similar experiences.
• Knowledge of trails maintenance and construction methods.
• Ability to work outdoors and at high elevation while using and transporting a variety of hand tools including crosscut saws, chainsaws, shovels, rakes, loppers, power tools, rigging, etc.
• Ability and willingness to hike 10+ miles in a variety of potentially harsh environmental conditions and for camp in a backcountry or front country setting.
• Deep interest in outdoor recreational pursuits and being a productive part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Perform trail maintenance on both front and backcountry trails.
• Trail maintenance may consist of logging out trails using either a chainsaw or crosscut saw, brushing, tread repair, repair and maintenance of trail structures such as bridges, steps, and waterbars.
• Construction of new trails, water bars, retaining walls, etc may occur.
• Maintenance of saws, equipment and gear will be required.
• Use of technology such as tablets and GPS systems will be utilized to collect field data such as trail feature inventory, sign inventory, work accomplishments, and resource damage locations.
• Campsite inventory may also be performed.
• Members that are chosen to perform trails and wilderness ranger duties will be required to camp in the backcountry for multiple nights to accomplish work assignments.
• Trail crew may occasionally work with agency partners.

Benefits

• Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $780/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.
• Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or USFS. Up to $240/wk housing reimbursement will be available to help offset the cost of housing. USFS Barracks may be available. Local candidates are encouraged to apply.
• Gear Allowance: ACE members will have up to $100 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes boots, socks, work pants, etc, and must be approved by ACE staff prior to purchase.
• 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 C hainsaw, CPR/First Aid, ATV, Dirtbike, Crosscut certifications, opportunities may also include training in mechanized trail equipment (mini-excavator/trail dozer).

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed