USDA Forest Service Backcountry Wilderness Recreation Technician - Bayfield - AmeriCorps

Position Title:  USDA Forest Service Backcountry Wilderness Recreation Technician – AmeriCorps       

Conservation Legacy Program: Southwest Conservation Corps – Four Corners, Durango     

Site Location: San Juan National Forest Columbine Ranger District, 367 S. Pearl Street Bayfield, CO 81122  

Terms of Service:      

• Start Date: 05/05/2025    
• End Date: 10/17/2025     
• AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 900 Hours         

Purpose:      

This AmeriCorps program partners with the USDA Forest Service staff at local field offices throughout southern Colorado. This AmeriCorps position is under direct mentorship and technical guidance of the Columbine Ranger District Forest Service office with additional management, support, and administration from Southwest Conservation Corps. The Wilderness Program is a sub-program within the Recreation Department, which together along with other programs manages facilities, developments, services, and infrastructure that support recreation in the Columbine Ranger District. The program's objective is to preserve wilderness as an enduring resource. 

This AmeriCorps position will primarily be clearing trails with crosscut saws and other hands tools and engaging in wilderness monitoring activities to document impacts to wilderness character. Preserving wilderness as an imperishable resource in the ecosphere is an idea and a cause that only becomes more relevant in the natural resource management field. Wilderness areas provide ecosystem services such as clean air and water, wildlife habits and in-tact ecosystems that support biodiversity. Maintaining the wilderness trail system as a service to the public provides opportunities for all to recreation and overall enrichment in our wild places.  

Description of Duties:      

• Engage in trail maintenance activities included but not limited to chainsaw and crosscut operations 
• Engage in wilderness monitoring activities and document impacts to wilderness character using digital surveys on tables and phones 
• Overnight backpacking four days a week with USFS Wilderness Crew Lead (most equipment and gear will be provided for these trips) 
• Hiking long distances each day of 10 miles in arduous varying terrain  

Potential Environmental/Human Risks:     

• Slips, trips, falls with uneven and varied terrain in remote locations  
• Variable weather ranging from freezing cold temperatures to hot temperatures 
• Overnight backcountry camping in remote areas      
• Crosscut and chainsaw operations 

     
Required Qualifications:      

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident
• At least 17 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      
• Valid U.S. Driver’s License      
• Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check    
• Per grant funding, candidate must be 18-30 years of age, up to 35 years of age if veteran status     

Preferred Qualifications:     

• General interest in the Forest Service, Natural Resource Management, Leave No Trace Ethics, and Conservation 
• Ability to lift and carry more than 40 pounds and hike arduous terrain 
• Ability to serve with a team and independently in a physically demanding position in a remote setting 
• Previous backpacking experience 

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 25 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. The ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.      

Time Requirements:      

• Typically, this position is expected to serve on a four-day ten-hour schedule, Monday through Thursday, 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 in-depth orientation provided by Southwest Conservation Corps that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities     
• Partner will provide appropriate orientation and training(s) for field activities including but not limited to chainsaw and/or crosscut saw use 

Benefits:      

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $3,697.50      
• Living Allowance of $600 per week     
• Additional Benefit of $150 per week     
• Forest Service bunkhouse housing if needed  
• Healthcare Coverage if Eligible       
• Professional development opportunities with both SCC and the Forest Service
• Two SCC field shirts     
• Childcare Coverage if Eligible      
• Loan forbearance if Eligible      
• Interest Payments if Eligible        

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:      

Individual Placement Program Coordinator – Niki Antonio (she/her)     

Contact Information: nantonio@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 : $150 - $600