Wildfire Recovery Assistant

Position Title: Wildfire Recovery Assistant – AmeriCorps 

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

14412 J.F. Kennedy Memorial Drive, Whiskeytown, CA 96095

Terms of Service:

• Start Date: 1/26/2026
• End Date: 1/22/2027
• AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 1700 Hour Slot

Purpose:

Stewards Individual Placements (Stewards), a program of Conservation Legacy, provides individuals with AmeriCorps service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and preserve our natural resources. Participants serve with federal agencies, tribal governments, and nonprofits to provide institutional capacity, develop community relationships, and support ecosystem health. Stewards in partnership with Whiskeytown National Recreation Area will host a Wildfire Recovery Assistant.

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area is managed by the National Park Service to provide opportunities for recreation in both a lake-based and scenic mountain setting while conserving the scenic, scientific, natural, historic, and cultural values of the site. The Resource Management and Interpretation Division conserves and interprets these values for the enjoyment and benefit of present and future generations.

The Wildfire Recovery Assistant will fill a critical need for Whiskeytown National Recreation Area. The park was severely impacted by the 2018 Carr Fire, burning 97% of the park and impacting native ecosystems, cultural landscapes, and recreational areas. Three subsequent fires from 2020 to 2022 also burned within the Carr Fire footprint, further exacerbating fire impacts and compromising long-term recovery. These positions will help the park more effectively recover from these fires by supporting four major goals - critical invasive species management, native seed collection and restoration, historic landscape and orchard restoration and maintenance, and fuels reduction treatments for fire prevention.

Description of Duties:

• Positively identify both native and non-native plant species.
• Identify, evaluate, and document invasive plant infestations.
• Carry out invasive plant treatments using various manual, mechanical, and chemical methods. 
• Safely handle pesticides.
• Utilize a variety of hand tools and power tools to carry out vegetation management tasks (such as loppers, pruners, hand saws, brush cutters, string trimmers, mowers, etc.)
• Assist with researching and developing treatment recommendations for invasive plant infestations.
• Utilize ArcGIS Pro, Microsoft Excel, and other databases to manage resource data.
• Collect, clean, and store native seed for use in restoration activities.
• Assist with pre-work surveys for resource avoidance in fuel-reduction project areas.
• Assist with vegetation thinning activities using manual and mechanical methods as part of the fuel management program.
• Perform invasive plant and other vegetation maintenance on historic landscapes with a focus on preserving historic resources.
• Assist with historic orchard management by carrying out various irrigation and landscaping tasks.
• Document all work in the field following established procedures.

 
Qualifications:

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
• 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
• Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check.
• Must be able to work outdoors, in rugged terrain and inclement weather, including extreme heat.
• Must be willing to safely work with herbicides (training provided).
• Must have basic familiarity with common data collection and data management technologies, such as GPS units, mobile devices, GIS software, excel, etc.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Experience or education in Resource Management or related fields. 
• Experience identifying plants, particularly in Northern California.
• Proficiency with ArcGIS Pro/Field Maps or similar mapping software.
• Experience carrying out vegetation management using hand tools or power equipment.
• Experience handling herbicides.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong communication skills.

Our Commitment:

Conservation Legacy is committed to the full consideration of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential job functions. Physical requirements may include periodic overnight travel, non-traditional work 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 Monday to Friday each 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 orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.
• Member will be fully trained to safely handle pesticides in accordance with NPS policy and California regulations.
• Invasive and native plant identification.
• Driving on park roads. 

Benefits:

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $7,395.00 
• Living Allowance of $600.00 per week.
• Healthcare Coverage if Eligible 
• Childcare Coverage if Eligible
• Loan forbearance if Eligible
• Interest Payments if Eligible
• Housing provided by Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

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:

Conservation Legacy Contact information: James Gasaway at jgasaway@conservationlegacy.org

 Service Site Contact Information: Tyler Self at tyler_self@nps.gov 

Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, 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.