Recreation Technician

Summary:

American Conservation Experience a nonprofit Conservation Corps in partnership with the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest is seeking three (3) Frontcountry Recreation Technicians to contribute to the project alongside USFS Staff.

Start Date: June 1 2026

End Date: October 16 2026

*Start and end dates can be flexible. But the ability to work for the full season (20 weeks) is preferred.*

Location Details/Description: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest; Methow Valley Ranger District Winthrop WA

More about the area

The Forest: The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest is one of the largest forests in Region 6 covering 3.8 million acres on the east slopes of the Cascade Range with 5 ranger districts that span from the Canadian border to the Yakima River valley. There is a wide range of year-round recreation opportunities and 1.5 million acres of wilderness. The Forest is a leader in implementing a Forest restoration strategy that recognizes the role of fire adapted communities and wildlife and is involved in numerous interagency and collaborative efforts state county and federal.

The Methow Valley Ranger District Winthrop WA is 1.3 million acres of public land located on the east side of the Cascade Range about two hours north of the Forest Headquarters in Wenatchee. Within the Methow Valley Ranger District are two wilderness areas the Pasayten and Lake Chelan-Sawtooth accounting for a combined 600 thousand acres. With over 300 miles of fish-bearing streams and 120 lakes as well as the northernmost miles of the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail and the wild heart of the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail the Methow Valley is an engaging and rewarding location to work in support of recreation.

For more information about the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest please visit the USFS website.

Position Overview

The Recreation Technicians will assist Forest Service personnel with the operation and maintenance of US Forest Service developed recreation sites including campgrounds trailheads and day use areas. Work activities will include cleaning recreation sites infrastructure construction and repair vegetation management maintaining information kiosks and providing visitor information.

• Serves as a member of a recreation site maintenance team to maintain Forest Service campgrounds trailheads day-use recreation sites and dispersed recreation sites
• Provide excellent visitor service by answering the publics questions on nearby recreational attractions rules and regulations Leave No Trace best practices and general interpretative information.
• Clean recreation sites including outhouses campsites and trailheads
• Use tools such as loppers weed whackers and mowers to manage vegetation at recreation sites
• Use tools such as drills/drivers staple guns and other fasteners in install informational or regulatory signage at recreation sites
• Assist in the operation and maintenance of campground drinking water systems including operating well pumps taking water quality samples and troubleshooting under the supervision of experienced staff.
• With focused training and supervision operate chainsaw to clear Forest Service recreation sites and access roads.
• Assist in the distribution and public communication of campfire restrictions when in effect
• Encourage recreation site fee compliance through educational contacts and providing reminders to visitors. This is not an enforcement position.
• Other manual labor tasks in support of developed recreation sites including raking or leaf-blowing detritus from campsites or accessible trails spreading gravel shoveling or similar physical tasks.
• Other duties as assigned may include tasks such as helping disseminate information regarding wildfires (closure maps etc.) supporting projects requiring heavy equipment (excavator etc) assisting in hazard tree surveys using mapping software on USFS provided tablet.

This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups.

Schedule: Typical schedule for the bulk of the summer field season is 8 work days on & 6 days off. At the start of the season working a 4 days on & following 3 days off schedule may be required to meet training needs.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute 40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $775/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses dispersed bi-weekly. The living allowance is a fixed rate determined by the USFS and ACE and is not flexible.

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a federal hiring authority upon completion of their term of service and 640 hours of service. If the duration of a PLC-eligible term is not long enough for Members to accrue 640 hours of service (16 weeks) the total hours served at the completion of the term may be eligible to be combined with hours accrued from another PLC-eligible term to meet the 640 hours requirement. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please see the ACE website for more information on PLC eligibility.

This position is part of the Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement must meet the PLC Eligibility requirements to be considered for this position. Members may be eligible for a federal hiring authority upon completion of their term of service and 640 hours of service. If the duration of a PLC-eligible term is not long enough for Members to accrue 640 hours of service (16 weeks) the total hours served at the completion of the term may be eligible to be combined with hours accrued from another PLC-eligible term to meet the 640 hours requirement. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age (You must be between the ages of 16 and 30. Some agencies also interpret these guidelines to include veterans up to age 35) and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility or view general eligibility information on our website.

Relocation & Gear Reimbursement: A $500 reimbursement for Relocation and a $200 reimbursement for Project Gear (such as boots ).To be approved by supervisor first.

Housing: *May* be available in Winthrop or Mazama in either a shared bunkhouse or a provided wall tent camping setting with access to a cooking area bathroom and shower house. Applicants can also explore local rentals via the MethowNet Bulletin Board web page. RV locations with hookups can also be rented locally.

Provided Training/Orientation: ACE members will receive position-specific training and an orientation that outlines ACE policies and procedures provides clear guidance on prohibited activities and offers networks for support. Specific training may include opportunities to complete more specialized training in crosscutting chainsaw operation and horse riding/stock packing.

Qualifications

Required:

• Members must be authorized to work in the United States. ACE does not provide sponsorship for employment visas.
• Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional positive and enthusiastic manner.
• Ability to be both self-directed/work alone and be a positive contributing member of a group.

• A valid drivers license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request). Members must be 21 to drive due to ACEs insurance and liability requirements.

• Willing to undergo and must pass the required criminal history checks
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• ACE Members will need to complete bi-weekly timesheets beginning of term feedback forms end of term evaluations and for longer terms a mid-term evaluation.
• ACE is a drug-free workplace and reserves the right to drug test at any time.
• Ability to pass a federal criminal background check.

To learn more about eligibility requirements please visit our website.

Preferred Skills:

• Personal reliable transportation is required as the duty station is considered remote.
• A valid drivers license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
• Ability to pass a basic written test and road test to obtain a US Government Motor Vehicle Operators Card.
• Ideal applicants will hold (or be pursuing) a bachelors degree in a natural resource field though relevant experience and a passion for public lands may be substituted.
• Prior trails and ranch work experience is preferred for similar types of work.

Physical Demands Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Ability to hike over rough terrain and camp overnight under field conditions. Members must possess a high fitness level and interest in camping with potential for backcountry work trips in inclement weather.
• Vision Requirements: Requires close distance peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 50 lbs. ability to move up to 40 pounds. For trails technicians- Carrying all necessary backpacking gear transporting and using a variety of hand tools including crosscut saws shovels axes loppers power tools etc.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently including adverse weather and varied climates. Mainly indoor office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled. These are highly demanding outdoor positions that require substantial physical fitness and mobility and a tolerance for extreme weather and demanding conditions snow sun heat mosquitoes and long-hours are not uncommon.
• Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise such as gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools. Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
• Travel: This position requires domestic travel to the site. This position does not require unique travel.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold rocky terrain swamp or wetland conditions biting insects and potentially dangerous wildlife. The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self fellow staff/members or resources.

Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety: If a vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties one will be provided by the USFS or ACE. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the USFS. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) typically provided by the USFS will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to USFS and ACE equipment training certification and safety protocols is required.

To Apply: Please submit your resume a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience and contact information for three professional/academic references to ACEs online application page for this position on our website. Early consideration will be given as applications are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact Member Manager Yunielis Clemente Ortiz

If you meet at least 70 percent of the qualifications we want to hear from you!

ACE participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information when you are hired to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

EEO: Employment or Service with ACE is based upon ability qualifications attitude and job-related factors. Every qualified employee member or applicant has the same opportunity for recruitment hire training transfer promotion compensation demotion termination benefits employee activities and general treatment without regard to race color religion age sex creed national origin pregnancy ancestry citizenship status genetic information veteran or military status physical or mental disability sexual orientation medical condition marital or parental status political affiliation ethnicity hair texture or style arrest record caste hereditary status endogamy or any other classification protected by applicable local state or federal law.

Required Experience:

IC