Campground Recreation Technician - Payson, AZ

Campground Recreation Technician – AmeriCorps (1 opening)

Conservation Legacy Program: Arizona Conservation Corps

Site Location: Payson Ranger District (1009 E. Hwy 260, Payson, AZ 85541)

Term of Service:

• Start Date: 5/19/2025 (anticipated)
• End Date: 11/21/2025
• AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 900 Hours

Purpose:

This is an AmeriCorps position with Arizona Conservation Corps (AZCC), which is an AmeriCorps program of Conservation Legacy. The member selected for this position will be serving at the Payson Ranger District as an AmeriCorps member with Arizona Conservation Corps, and completing service projects for the Tonto National Forest.

AZCC aims to continue the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930's, and is focused on connecting youth, young adults, and recent era military veterans with communities and conservation service projects on public lands. AZCC operates programs across Arizona that engage individuals and strengthen communities through service and conservation. AZCC has program offices in Flagstaff and Tucson. 

Tonto National Forest:

At over 2.9 million acres, the Tonto National Forest is the largest National Forest in Arizona, and the seventh largest National Forest among 154 USDA National Forests.  The Tonto features some of the most rugged and inherently beautiful land in the country. Sonoran Desert cacti and flat lands slowly give way to the highlands of the Mogollon Rim. This variety in vegetation and range in altitude -- from 1,300 to 7,900 feet -- offers outstanding recreational opportunities throughout the year, whether it's lake beaches or cool pine forest.

Description of Duties:

The Tonto National Forest is seeking to mentor a temporary, full-time Campground Recreation Technician in what it takes to oversee and manage the daily operations of 5 developed campgrounds and day use areas under the fee program. The selected intern will work with U.S. Forest Service staff, Recreation Technicians, and campground hosts, with the primary focus of managing the daily operations of developed campgrounds and day use fee sites. The intern will work with a field supervisor and other Recreation Technicians to learn the processes of making public contacts in Developed Recreation sites, making seasonal inspections of developed recreation sites, fee compliance, educating the public about Forest Service rules and regulations, and general upkeep of Developed Recreation sites. Other responsibilities include daily operations such as checking the reservation system, inspecting and cleaning sites, enforcing fees and Forest Service rules and regulations, and educating the public. The intern will be provided with an AZCC vehicle to commute between Forest Service recreation sites. The schedule is typically four ten-hour days, with some flexibility as to what days are worked. No housing is provided, but the intern is able to camp at designated campgrounds during their work week. 

Essential Responsibilities and Functions:

• Commute between designated recreation sites on a regular basis and learn recreation operations as needed.
• Work with field supervisor and other Recreation Technicians on routine responsibilities, areas of focus, and patrols.
• Assist other Recreation Technicians with completion of inspections and making public contact, and work independently to make public contacts as knowledge increases.
• Assist with fee compliance and education of recreating public concerning Forest Service rules and regulations.
• Assist campground hosts as needed.
• Work independently to complete assigned inspections, document issues or concerns.
• Assist in annual and seasonal inspections of Developed Recreation sites.
• Identify ways to improve sites, document before, during and after photos.
• Install new fire rings, wheel stops, and trash cans, as well as paint buildings and maintain and repair restrooms.

Qualifications:

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien.
• At least 18 years of age.
• Has received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate; or has not dropped out of elementary or secondary school to enroll as an AmeriCorps participant, and agrees to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent prior to using the education award.
• Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check.

• Enthusiasm for working in the outdoors.
• Ability to share and get along well with others.
• A self-starter that can easily work as a team or alone.
• Ability to communicate well both orally and in writing.
• Demonstrate professionalism, both in demeanor and appearance.
• Some knowledge of public lands and recreation opportunities.
• Applicants must possess a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record (must be over 21 years old or have had license for 3 years).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Customer service skills when interacting with the Public.
• An appreciation and interest in outdoor recreation.
• Past experience with recreation site maintenance, or light maintenance skills.

Physical Requirements:

Conservation Legacy is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential functions. Some positions may require periodic overnight travel, non-traditional hours, ability to move across varied terrain, use program-specific tools and a range of technology on an infrequent or frequent basis. Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.

Time Requirements:

• Typically, this position is expected to serve Friday-Monday, 40 hours per week, but exact service schedules may vary. A half hour lunch break will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service
• Member may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term.

Orientation and Training:

• Member will receive an Arizona Conservation Corps Individual Placement Program New Member Orientation at start of service that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.

Benefits:

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $3,697.50 with successful completion of position.
• Living Allowance of $500 per week.

• Additional Benefit of $100 per week.
• Public Lands Corps Certificate*
• Healthcare Coverage provided by The Corps Network and Cigna.
• Childcare Coverage.
• Qualifies for Student Loan forbearance and Interest Payment reimbursement through AmeriCorps.

*To be eligible for a Public Lands Corps certificate, members must be between the ages of 18-30, or up to 35 if a military veteran, inclusive, at the time the individual begins the term of service and must complete 640 service hours or more to qualify.

Evaluation and Reporting:

As an AmeriCorps member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed the required number of hours, the member has satisfactorily completed assignments, and if the member has met other performance criteria that were clearly communicated at the beginning of the term of service.

Reporting requirements include, but are not limited to, bi-weekly timesheets and accomplishment tracking.

Supervisor Name and Contact Information:

This position reports to Angela Abel, North Zone Recreation Manager, Tonto National Forest.

To Apply:  

Please submit a resume and cover letter along with the online application by clicking the APPLY link on this page.

If you have questions, contact AZCC’s Individual Placement Coordinator Preston Sands at psands@conservationlegacy.org. 

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodations due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager. 

Salary : $100 - $500