Summary
American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Plumas National Forest, is seeking TWO Recreation and Trails Technicians to work alongside Plumas National Forest Staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Start Date: March 24, 2025
Estimated End Date: December 19, 2025
*a 39-minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: Quincy, CA Plumas National Forest, Supervisors Office 

The Plumas National Forest is situated where the northern Sierra Nevada meets the southern Cascade Range and near the western edge of the Basin and Range to the east. This diverse landscape is the homeland of the Mountain Maidu people. The Plumas National Forest is a large national forest with 1,146,000 acres of mountain lands known for high elevation lakes, dramatic and deep river canyons, big mountain valleys, and miles of rural backroads and scenic trails.

For more information about Plumas National Forest, please visit the USDA Forest Service website.

Position Overview: 

• Performs trail inventory, mapping,  and condition surveys on designated National Forest System trails and non-system user created trails and impact areas
• Develops a motorized route maintenance and restoration implementation plan on authorized (NFTS MVUM) and unauthorized (non-system user created) routes and impact areas
• Identifies restoration projects for planning future restoration projects.
• Use of data collection tablets and units utilizing Forest Service trail assessment programs including Trail Assessment and Condition Survey (TRACS), Trail Assessment and Condition Overview Surveys (TACOS), and OHV  Trail Condition Surveys
• Use of GIS software and applications including Field Maps, Survey 123, and ArcPro
• Provides information about resource management practices in the area.
• Maintains visitor use records and prepares reports for data processing.

May also include the following duties as assigned:

• Installs and maintains kiosks, travel signs, regulatory signs, and other signs associated with recreation sites, trails and/or trailheads.
• Performs routine maintenance of trails by cleaning out water control features/ drainages, improving minor issues with tread, brushing vegetation.
• Contacts visitors to provide information about recreation regulations, opportunities, and current restrictions.
• Performs routine maintenance at dispersed recreation sites including site cleanup, trash removal, fire ring removal and naturalizing.

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: Mon-Thurs, 7:00am - 5:30pm. 

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $760/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. If the duration of a PLC-eligible term is not long enough for Members to accrue 640 hours of service (~16 weeks), the total hours served at the completion of the term may be eligible to be combined with hours accrued from another PLC-eligible term to meet the 640 hours requirement. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age (You must be between the ages of 16 and 30. Some agencies also interpret these guidelines to include veterans up to age 35) and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general eligibility information on our website.

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or Plumas National Forest. Each member will receive reimbursement for housing costs up to a weekly rate not to exceed $250/week. 

Relocation Allowance: ACE members will have access to up to $500 to be used for eligible relocation expenses. Further details regarding distribution of these funds will be provided during the interview process. 

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 attending Sustainable Trails Workshop providing training on building, maintaining, and sustaining long term trails. 

Qualifications 

Required:

• 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).
• 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. 
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website located on our Indeed homepage.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing an associates or bachelors degree and/or have relevant experience in environmental science, botany, ecosystem restoration, natural resource management, or related discipline.
• Knowledge of trails maintenance and construction methods.
• Ability and willingness to hike 10+ miles in a variety of potentially harsh environmental conditions
• Ability and willingness to use a variety of hand tools, carry and move things weighing 50 lbs or more
• Ability and willingness to learn the use of a GPS unit. Experience with GIS software is preferential.
• Deep interest in outdoor recreational pursuits and being a productive part of a team.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, hiking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talking and hearing. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Ability to hike over rough terrain, and camp overnight under field conditions.
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 50 lbs. 
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
• Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise such as gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards:  The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland conditions, biting insects, and potentially dangerous wildlife. The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/members or resources. 

Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety: If a vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties, one will be provided by the US Forest Service or ACE.  Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the US Forest Service. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the US Forest Service, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it.  Strict adherence to US Forest Service and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required.