Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with US Forest Service, is seeking THREE Recreation Technicians to contribute to the Recreation Site and Trail Monitoring project alongside US Forest Service Staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Start Date: May 5, 2025

Estimated End Date: October 3, 2025

*a 22-week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: Idleyld Park, OR Diamond Lake Ranger District, Umpqua National Forest

NOTE: This is a remote duty station located at Toketee Lake, approximately 60 miles east on Hwy 138 from the nearest full service community of Roseburg, OR. There are no services such as gas and groceries at this site, only the Ranger Station and government housing. Please be prepared to live and work in this remote, mountain setting.

The Umpqua National Forest covers nearly one million acres along the western slopes of the Cascade Mountains in Southwest Oregon. The Forest encompasses a diverse area of sparkling rivers and lakes, deep canyons, and rugged mountains up to 9,200 feet in elevation. The Umpqua produces a wealth of water resources, timber, wildlife, fish, minerals and outdoor recreation opportunities. Included within the Forest are the North Umpqua Wild and Scenic River, a portion of the Rogue-Umpqua Divide Wilderness, the Oregon Cascades Recreation Area, the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail and the North Umpqua hydropower project.

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

Position Overview:

Recreation Technician members assist with the maintenance of dispersed and developed campgrounds, restroom cleaning, tree and vegetation removal, digging out fire pits, vandalism and repair, picking up litter, trail maintenance, repairing minor structures (picnic tables, signs and kiosks)

Also, there may be opportunities to help with other programs such as trails, botany and wildlife. Work is reviewed for technical adequacy and soundness, and accomplishment of overall objectives.

Work is predominantly an outdoor position - 90% of the time will be spent in the campgrounds (both developed and dispersed) across the Umpqua National Forest. Climate is generally moderate, with temperatures averaging 70 to 90 degrees during the summer months. Proper personal protective gear, such as heavy duty boots, long pants, and long sleeved shirts are required for days involving field work. Field work will require working in front country, developed sites of the District. Walking, digging holes, painting, posting signs, and other general maintenance requirements may be required. Extensive bending, stooping, kneeling and lifting up to 50 pounds is required. The remaining 10% of the time will be spent in an indoor setting (e.g. training, etc.).

• Contacts visitors to provide information about recreation regulations, opportunities and current restrictions
• Maintains contact with campground host(s)
• Checks for compliance with regulations, issues notices for common violations, and reports other violations to supervisor
• Collects monies from sale of recreation use permits, safeguards money and unused permits
• Maintain Forest Service system trails to standard using tools such as crosscut saws on frequently large-diameter logs, hand saws, shovels, pulaskis, McLeods, grip hoists, rock bars and other tools related to trails maintenance.

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: The schedule will be a standard five days a week, eight hour day. The days of the week will include weekends. 7:30 AM-4:00 PM.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $600/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly. The living allowance is a fixed rate determined by the US Forest Service and ACE and is not flexible.

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: ACE members will be accommodated in US Forest Service provided housing at no cost for the duration of the term.

Relocation Assistance: 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 collections training.

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.
• 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 located on our Indeed homepage.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a degree in Recreation, Tourism, Forestry, or Natural Resources and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as Natural Resources or Recreation, Public Land Management.
• All candidates are encouraged to apply, though local candidates will be strongly considered.
• Knowledge of detailed recreation rules and regulations to assist Forest visitors, and to detect and report violations.
• Knowledge of Forest Service history.

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.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 30 lbs., ability to move up to 80 pounds.
• 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 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.