Recreation Technicians (USA)

The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with the United States Forest Service, is recruiting two AmeriCorps volunteers to serve as Recreation Technicians to assist Recreation Managers with OHV trail maintenance, reconstruction signing, travel management and education, as well as coordinating and working with volunteers. The Technician(s) will perform a variety of work in support of the unit’s large OHV trail system; duties include hiking up to ten miles a day over very steep uneven terrain, with a backpack and tools weighting up to 60 pounds, performing trail maintenance on motorized trails that are rated as “Most Difficult”. Work will consist of assisting mechanized trail work on an OHV trail system, and manually maintaining trails in remote steep hot canyons. Tasks include cutting back tress and vegetation along trails, installation and maintenance of drainage features, outside retaining wall construction and maintenance (dry-stone masonry), rock armoring, safe use of hand tools (such as picmattocks, rockbars, sledgehammers, chainsaws, rockdrills), re-route construction, and potentially participation in new trail layout and design. Prior experience safely operating a dirt bike and/or OHV is strongly encouraged. Overnight field camping may be required.

Timeframe:
• 26-week appointment beginning in March/April 2016 based on weather and applicant availability
• Generally 40 hours per week on a 4, 10-hour day schedule; work may be required on weekends

Compensation:
• Living Allowance: $13,265
• AmeriCorps Education Award*: $2,865
• Health Insurance
• USFS Housing is provided

*The AmeriCorps Education Award may be used for past, present or future education experiences, including payment of qualifying federal student loans. Lone forbearance and accrued interest payment on qualifying student loans is also available.

Location:
The American River Ranger District of the Tahoe National Forests in Foresthill, California is located on a broad ridge between the North and Middle Forks of the American River on the gold-bearing gravel bed of an ancient river and is considered to be a California Historical Landmark. There are hundreds of mines, some still active, found throughout the area. The area is known for its plentiful outdoor recreation activities on the lakes, snow covered mountains and on the beautiful Foresthill Divide.


Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in recreation/wilderness management, natural resources, or equivalent coursework and field experience;
• Proven experience following established field project implementation procedures and protocols;
• Prior experience or certification on ATV/UTV or dirt bikes strongly preferred;
• Experience and ability to use hand-held GPS units, orienteer via topographic map and compass, and interpret and/or create maps using GIS mapping software;
• Familiarity with the proper and safe use of standard trail development and maintenance tools, as well as experience in trail maintenance; applicants with proven dry-stone masonry skills and experience will be strongly considered;
• Motivated, self-starter, detail oriented, and possess good organizational skills;
• Ability and willingness to camp and work in remote locations;
• Willingness to work alone or in small groups to support the mission of USFS and GBI, and accomplish targeted goals and objectives;
• Ability to work in harsh and rapidly changing environments and traverse uneven, steep terrain in remote settings;
• Clean, valid, state-issued driver’s license with ability to safely operate 4WD and all-terrain vehicles on unimproved roads;
• Strong communication skills, oral and written, with an ability to communicate effectively with a wide variety of stakeholders including partner agency staff, field and office colleagues, and the general public; and
• Meet AmeriCorps eligibility requirements: (1) U.S. citizenship or legal resident alien status, (2) eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award (limit of four in a lifetime or equivalent of two full-time awards), and (3) pass National Sex Offender Public Registry (NSOPR) and federal criminal background checks.


How to Apply:

https://www.thegreatbasininstitute.org/job/recreation-technician/
Qualified and interested applicants should forward a cover letter, their résumé, and a list of three professional references to rarecrutiment@thegreatbasininstitute.org. Please reference “Foresthill Recreation Technician” Please include where you found this position posted. Incomplete applications will not be considered. No phone inquiries, please.


We conform to all the laws, statutes, and regulations concerning equal employment opportunities and affirmative action. We strongly encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply to all of our job openings. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, age, disability status, Genetic Information & Testing, Family & Medical Leave, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We prohibit Retaliation against individuals who bring forth any complaint, orally or in writing, to the employer or the government, or against any individuals who assist or participate in the investigation of any complaint or otherwise oppose discrimination.