Forestry Technician - Recreation Site Operations & Maintenance and Trails
Northwest Youth Corps – AmeriCorps 680 Hour
Individual Placement
U.S. Forest Service
Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area
Hood River, Oregon
Position Title: Forestry Technician (2) – Recreation Site Operations & Maintenance and Trails (680 hours)
Position Summary:
The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area is recruiting two 680 Hour Forestry Technicians from May16 through September 9, 2022 (dates are flexible). Incumbents will perform recreation site operations and maintenance and trail maintenance duties at sites throughout the Scenic Area. This placement will typically work five eight-hour days per week Thursday through Monday. Schedule may be modified as needed for participation in training events.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Duties will include serving with FS employees to (25%) operate and maintain recreation sites; (25%) clean and restock restrooms; (25%) perform grounds maintenance; and (25%) communicate with the public about recreational opportunities. The intern will also have an opportunity to work with our trails crew and explore other programs areas (including wild and scenic rivers and natural resource areas), as interested. This position requires working outdoors at popular recreation sites with a field partner and/or independently.
Required Qualifications:
• Willingness to work as part of a small team
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• A positive attitude and flexibility to work where needed
• Current driver’s license
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50lbs
• Ability to work outdoors in inclement weather
• Ability to follow safety guidelines
• Ability to present a positive image of the Forest Service in all interactions with customers
Desired Qualifications:
• Attention to detail
• Experience with hand tools, basic carpentry, grounds maintenance, and trail maintenance
• A strong interest in public service and partnerships
• Experience communicating recreation, fire, and natural resource information with the public
• Coursework in recreation management, forestry, natural resources, or related field
Duty Station
The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area (CRGNSA) is a 292,000-acre congressionally designated area stretching along both sides of the Columbia River from the mouth of the Sandy River to the mouth of the Deschutes River and encompassing portions of southern Washington and northern Oregon. The Gorge is unique in its natural and cultural history, as well as its designation as a National Scenic Area. With its 85-mile east-towest span, an elevational range from near sea level to almost 5,000 feet, and a strong precipitation gradient, the Gorge contains a unique concentration of diverse ecosystems and communities. The duty station for these positions is Hood River, Oregon, a small community known for its abundant fruit orchards and world-class access to outdoor recreation.
Housing Information
Forest Service employees working in the Scenic Area live in a variety of communities throughout the Gorge. Rentals in Hood River are expensive and range from $850 to $2000 per month. Nearby communities include Cascade Locks, OR; The Dalles, OR; White Salmon, WA; and Bingen, WA.
Government housing is available in the Wind River Work Center bunkhouse, located in Carson, WA approximately 30 miles and a 45-minute drive from Hood River. The bunkhouse facilities include a single occupant room and a common kitchen area and laundry room. Carson, WA is the nearest full-service community (approximately 10-minute drive) offering a grocery store, coffee shop, gas station, and a couple of restaurants.
Terms of Employment
Each AmeriCorps member will complete a term of service (length dependent on commitment of hours), starting May 16 through September 9, 2022 (dates are flexible). The member must complete a minimum of 680 service hours by the end of their term. The member will receive a 30-minute lunch each day and this lunch break does not count towards AmeriCorps member service hours. Training will not exceed 20% of total member service hours.
Program Benefits
$10,200 living allowance dispersed on a monthly basis and a $2,417.14 education award upon completion of the 680 hours of service. $600 total commuting funding is available upon request for reimbursement.
The living allowance and education award are taxable. Members are responsible for providing their own food. Service eligibility is contingent upon the results of a criminal and driving background check
Application Instructions
Application Deadline: April 2022
Interviews: Will occur as qualified applications are received.
Type of position: AmeriCorps Internship
Service Dates: May 2022 – September 2022
Length of Term: 680 Hours
To Apply:
Please submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references and completely fill out the application form found at https://nwyouthcorps.workbrightats.com/jobs/
Additional Information
If you have questions about the position, please reach Northwest Youth Corps Internship Program Officer Liv Kelley at livk@nwyouthcorps.org or Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area at benjamin.smith2@usda.gov.
ICC COVID-19 Protocols:
We have developed and facilitated industry leading COVID management protocols that are in place to keep our members and staff healthy, and have maintained an excellent safety record. Read our COVID protocols by visiting www.nwyouthcorps.org/m/covid19
The member will not engage in any prohibited activities as stated in the Member Service Agreement.