Bandelier National Monument Trail Technician

Rocky Mountain Youth Corps • Albuquerque, NM

9d • $0 - $18 • Onsite

About The Position

Rocky Mountain Youth Corps (RMYC) is a nonprofit youth development organization serving New Mexico. We inspire young adults to make a positive difference in themselves and their communities. Through training and service, Corpsmembers discover their potential for healthy, productive lives. Individual Placement positions work within RMYC partner agencies, and are intended to provide meaningful job experience for young professionals looking to build their careers in specific fields. This position will work under direct supervisor of Bandelier National Monument staff on trail management for environmental recreation and conservation purposes. This position will assist with building, scouting, maintaining, and managing backcountry trails in Wilderness and non-Wilderness settings for environmental recreation, conservation, and resource protection purposes. Hiking long distances while carrying supplies and tools is a key duty of this position. Trail work involves new trail construction, along with construction of drains, dips, and other erosion mitigation trail features. Other trail duties include trimming brush, and applying basic dry stone masonry techniques to build including but not limited to erosion control structures and retaining walls. This position will assist with removing fallen trees for improving trail safety, usability, and wildfire prevention. Tree removal may involve chainsaw or crosscut saw use or assistance with their use. In addition to trail work, the position will involve maintaining, monitoring, repairing, and resource protection measures for developed and dispersed recreation sites such as campgrounds, picnic areas, trailheads, restrooms, and other facilities. This includes using traditional skills such as carpentry and woodworking to ensure amenities like tables, fire rings, kiosks, and restrooms are safe and functional. Candidates should be comfortable interacting with the public, educating visitors on Leave No Trace principles and responsible recreation practices. Administrative responsibilities include collecting data, writing brief project reports, and communicating with Bandelier National Monument and RMYC staff. Professional development and work-training is a major focus of this position. The ideal candidate is someone looking for a starting point to build a career in outdoor recreation, management, and conservation. This position is managed through RMYC and includes professional development, regular check-ins, and life skills training that RMYC offers regularly. The candidate will participate in an effective safety program to safeguard visitors and employees, environment, facilities, and equipment, including vehicles. Incumbent helps to watch on-the-job and in-camp safety of volunteers and other groups such as Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) or Student Conservation Association (SCA) as well as of regular crew members. Other training opportunities will be provided through the host program or outside training tailored to the needs of the individual. Cross-training with other programs is also encouraged. As an AmeriCorps member, this position will not serve in any supervising or staff roles.

Requirements

• 18-30 years old as of the position start date.
• Must be a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident of the United States.
• Must complete a pre-employment National Service Criminal History Check and fingerprint scan.
• Must have an insurable driving record and a valid driver’s license.
• Must have a 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.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds unassisted.
• Heavy physical exertion is frequently required in bending, lifting, and using hand and power tools in trail work.
• Must be comfortable working outside, hiking long distances with heavy tools, and performing fieldwork for long periods of time in all weather conditions.
• Must not have potential emergency medical problems that could complicate work in remote areas for extended periods of time.
• Demonstrate strong organizational skills.
• Experience working as part of a team.
• Able 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

• Experience with fieldwork such as trail building, landscaping, agriculture, or other related outdoor fields.
• Strong project management skills.
• Strong written and oral skills.
• Wilderness First Aid (WFA) or Wilderness First Responder (WFR).
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field (conservation management, environmental science, biology, etc.).

Responsibilities

• Assist with building, scouting, maintaining, and managing backcountry trails in Wilderness and non-Wilderness settings.
• Construct new trails, including drains, dips, and other erosion mitigation features.
• Trim brush and apply basic dry stone masonry techniques for erosion control and retaining walls.
• Assist with removing fallen trees for trail safety, usability, and wildfire prevention, potentially involving chainsaw or crosscut saw use.
• Maintain, monitor, repair, and implement resource protection measures for developed and dispersed recreation sites.
• Use carpentry and woodworking skills to ensure amenities like tables, fire rings, kiosks, and restrooms are safe and functional.
• Interact with the public, educating visitors on Leave No Trace principles and responsible recreation practices.
• Collect data, write brief project reports, and communicate with Bandelier National Monument and RMYC staff.
• Participate in an effective safety program.
• Assist with on-the-job and in-camp safety of volunteers and other groups.
• Track miles of trail improved and acres of land improved for biweekly RMYC reports.
• Perform administrative tasks, including filing, organization, invoicing, and reporting.
• Perform various tasks within the scope of work for an AmeriCorps member.

Benefits

• Healthcare coverage is available to all AmeriCorps members at no cost to the member.
• Non-Scheduled Days (paid days off).
• RMYC observes all National holidays.
• Student loan forbearance and interest payments are available for qualifying loans.
• Childcare benefits may be available for 1700-hour term applicants through the AmeriCorps Childcare Program.

What This Job Offers

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