Gifford Pinchot Wilderness Ranger Individual Placement

Northwest Youth Corps • Trout Lake, WA

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Gifford Pinchot National Forest will host two Land Steward individual placements to work as Wilderness Rangers in the beautiful forest of the Mt. Adams Ranger District. The Individual Placements will patrol and monitor trails on projects that are both individual and crew-based. These projects will focus on engaging visitors to the forest by educating them on: Leave No Trace principles, the value and history of congressionally designated Wilderness, Forest Service wilderness management, backcountry travel skills, local geography and recreation opportunities. In addition, Individual Placements will perform trail maintenance and participate in climbing patrols. This position is perfect for a person who has a passion for being outdoors and has experience working safely in a backcountry setting.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizen or lawful, permanent resident
• Must pass a background/driver check
• Valid driver's license, clean driving record, and ability to provide documentation when requested.
• High school diploma/ GED
• Between the ages of 18-30 years (up to 35 for military veterans), at the start of the program.
• Commitment to the full individual placement.
• Safely carry heavy backpack loads (45-55 lbs.) for long distances, at times, encountering steep elevation gains (as much as 2000-5000 vertical feet a day).
• Travel, work and live safely in both mountainous wilderness and remote community settings for extended periods of time, both alone and/or with small crews.
• Safely use and manage tools and backpacking/camping equipment.
• Communicate clearly and professionally with all working groups.
• Work in an office setting and utilize a Forest Service computer and manage emails.
• Tolerate extreme heat and cold; season will start with snow on the ground and end with snow on the ground, in between it will be hot and dusty.
• Be enthusiastic about all types of wilderness trail recreation and desire to promote environmental stewardship.
• Must follow all health and safety policies and procedures, including any changes that are implemented throughout the course of the individual placement.

Nice To Haves

• Experience hiking and backpacking in the backcountry for extended periods of time.
• Experience in safe use of hand tools (this could be from things like farming, gardening, orchard work, landscaping, carpentry, construction, etc.).
• Experience with high-alpine travel/mountaineering.
• Experience communicating with the public.
• Knowledgeable about Leave No Trace ethics, designated wilderness recreation and management, and high elevation/fragile ecosystems.
• A passion for being involved with wilderness and environmental stewardship.
• Personal transportation recommended

Responsibilities

• Patrol trails in Wilderness areas and initiate public contacts to enhance the visitor experience and promote safe recreation.
• Perform climbing patrols on Mt. Adams. Patrols will begin at an elevation of approximately 5,600' and end at approximately 9,200' (the location where most climbers camp prior to making the summit. Overnight stays at 9,200 will be required).
• Learn Leave-No-Trace principles and backcountry use ethics & practices and share these principles with visitors. (training provided)
• Learn and promote an understanding of public lands.
• Document Wilderness visitor contacts and trail conditions; maintain daily logs.
• Assist in organizing volunteers including climbing patrols, restoration projects, data collection projects, etc.
• Maintain wilderness & non-wilderness trails safely using tools like handsaws, axes, hoes, loppers, and shovels.
• Perform routine maintenance at recreation sites including fire-ring clean up, trailhead stocking, site naturalizing, and litter removal. This will include Maintaining restrooms and scat pack collection bins at Wilderness trailheads.
• Become educated on current issues and controversial-use practices (national and regional) affecting recreation on public lands.
• Complete Individual Placement requirements and submit all necessary paperwork and reports in a timely manner.

Benefits

• Individual Placements will earn $13,200 stipend dispersed on a monthly basis throughout the 24 weeks.
• Professional development, trainings, and networking opportunities may be available.
• Agency/Organization vehicles are available for work-related travel.
• Forest Service provides all transportation between the Ranger Station and the trailheads.
• Forest Service bunkhouse-style housing is available at no cost to the individual placements.

What This Job Offers

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