Visitor Information Services Member - Inyo National Forest

EPIC • Lone Pine, CA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Inyo National Forest, is seeking TWO Visitor Information Services Members to work alongside Forest Service Staff. This opportunity is intended for an enthusiastic young professional with a well-developed working background in conservation, natural resources management, wilderness management, recreation management, or a similar field. The VIS Assistant should possess a passion for public land management and a professional interest in advancing their career towards natural resource management or public services. For more information about ACE, please visit our website. Start Date: May 18, 2026 Estimated End Date: October 16, 2026 a 22-week minimum commitment is required Location Details/Description: Mt. Whitney Ranger District, Lone Pine, CA The Inyo National Forest is a large, complex forest, encompassing about two million acres in California and Nevada. It contains several natural features of national and international interest. There are nine wilderness areas and six research natural areas, as well as the Mono Basin National Forest Scenic Area, the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, and Mt. Whitney - the tallest mountain in the contiguous United States. Diverse geologic features, combined with the elevational extremes and attendant wide range of climatic conditions, results in tremendous floristic diversity on the Forest, with vegetation communities ranging from desert scrub, sagebrush scrub, and pinyon woodland, to Jeffrey pine, lodgepole pine, and alpine habitats. Lone Pine, Lee Vining, Mammoth Lakes and Bishop are all premier locations for outdoor recreation in California. These opportunities include backpacking, fishing, hunting, hang gliding, cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, cycling, mountain biking, photography, rock climbing, trail running, off-highway vehicle exploration, and horseback riding. If you want to spend the summer in one of the most beautiful mountain ranges in America, if you enjoy outdoor activities in your free time, and if you are interested in learning about recreation careers in the Forest Service, then this is the job for you! For more information about the Inyo National Forest, please visit the USDA Forest Service website. Position Overview: Provides excellent customer service by answering questions, greeting and assisting visitors This position requires the use of critical thinking and interpersonal skills while communicating to visitors, staff, and partners Works closely with recreation staff, seasonal and permanent staff to provide current and accurate information Informs visitors of rules and regulations, safety risks and recreational opportunities Evaluates public inquiries in order to provide the most useful and appropriate information or to suggest other options or redirect caller to the appropriate District staff Assists with tracking visitor use Responds to radio traffic in support of District personnel Performs administrative work including computer programs, paperwork, answering phones, as well as general cleaning and organization duties Issues wilderness permits and educate on safety and regulations Collects fees at a remote site while managing road safety and educating on resource protection Staff are encouraged to learn more about the area to enhance their knowledge. The position includes opportunities for field days or to shadow specialists. 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: 40 hrs per week with availability on weekends/holidays, 8:00am - 5:00pm

Requirements

• Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, as required by U.S. government contracts
• 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 check.
• 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
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website.

Nice To Haves

• Cash handling experience

Responsibilities

• Provides excellent customer service by answering questions, greeting and assisting visitors
• This position requires the use of critical thinking and interpersonal skills while communicating to visitors, staff, and partners
• Works closely with recreation staff, seasonal and permanent staff to provide current and accurate information
• Informs visitors of rules and regulations, safety risks and recreational opportunities
• Evaluates public inquiries in order to provide the most useful and appropriate information or to suggest other options or redirect caller to the appropriate District staff
• Assists with tracking visitor use
• Responds to radio traffic in support of District personnel
• Performs administrative work including computer programs, paperwork, answering phones, as well as general cleaning and organization duties
• Issues wilderness permits and educate on safety and regulations
• Collects fees at a remote site while managing road safety and educating on resource protection
• Staff are encouraged to learn more about the area to enhance their knowledge.

Benefits

• Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~80 hours/biweekly and will receive a living allowance of $800/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.
• Housing: ACE members will have access to up to $150/week to be used for eligible housing expenses. Space in government barracks may be available.
• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed