Recreation Technician - Wallowa Whitman National Forest
Mt. Adams Institute (Federal) | https://mtadamsinstitute.org/vetswork
Details
Application Deadline:
05/30/2025
Published:
05/05/2025
Starting Date:
after 6/23/2025
Ending Date:
after 10/24/2025
Hours per Week:
40
Salary:
$1,800 to $2,250 per month
Education Required:
High School Diploma
Experience Required:
none
Location:
201 East 2nd St. (Joseph, Oregon)
Description
The Land Stewards program is a paid, AmeriCorps internship program for young adults (21-30; up to 35 for military veterans) who are interested in a career in the natural resources, public lands management, and conservation fields.
To view a full position description and application instructions please visit: https://mtadamsinstitute.org/land-stewards/
To view a full position description and application instructions please visit: https://mtadamsinstitute.org/land-stewards/
Position Title: Recreation Technician
Partner Organization: Wallowa-Whitman National Forest
Project Location: 201 East 2nd St. Joseph, OR 97846
Service Dates: June 23, 2025 to October 24, 2025 (18 week, 685-hour position)
Position Summary -
Position Summary -
In partnership with the Mt. Adams Institute (MAI), Wallowa-Whitman National Forest will host a Land Stewards AmeriCorps Intern to serve as a Recreation Technician.
The Wallowa-Whitman National Forest’s Recreation Program manages 2 large wilderness areas, 1,200 miles of summer trails, and over 70 developed recreation sites spread across 1.2 million acres. This position will support the Forest’s mission of providing high quality and safe opportunities for visitors. The intern will split their time in three main focus areas: 1) maintaining backcountry trails to provide critical access to backcountry destinations; 2) managing developed recreation sites to provide clean, safe, and welcoming environment for visitors; and 3) performing wilderness stewardship projects in an effort to improve conditions in the Eagle Cap Wilderness, which has been protected since 1930. The Intern will also engage with visitors, providing information about the area and education on Leave No Trace ethics. At times, this position will go on overnight “hitches”, spending multiple nights out in the backcountry at a time, in order to access project sites. View photos from past projects in the area here.
Benefits:
- $8,100 living allowance – paid monthly over the term of service ($450 weekly, before taxes)
- $2,817.14 education award (can be used towards qualified student loans and/or education expenses)
- Free, Forest Service bunkhouse-style housing.
- Student loan forbearance
- Professional development, training and networking opportunities
Essential Functions - to include, but not limited to:
- Conduct trail maintenance using traditional tools (crosscut saws, hand saws, axe, shovel, etc.) to clear trails, install/repair drainage structures, repair trail tread, and construct bridges. Trails will be accessed via hiking (up to 8 miles a day), backpacking, and camping in a mountainous setting.
- Perform recreation site maintenance including cleaning campgrounds and bathrooms, posting signs, collecting fees, and using hand and power tools to install/repair picnic tables, fire rings, sign boards, and other structures.
- Support Wilderness management by hiking and backpacking to provide information and education for visitors about low impact camping techniques and wilderness values; using traditional tools for campsite restoration; removing inappropriate structures (fire rings, etc.), and collecting wilderness data.
Position Requirements - to include, but not limited:
- Must have a valid driver's license, clean driving record and ability to provide documentation.
- Able to work outdoors in mountainous settings, with elevation gain/loss, in a wide range of weather conditions.
- Able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
- Experience hiking and interested in learning to backpack.
- Strong verbal communication skills to work effectively with a variety of visitors, partners, and co-workers.
- Self-motivated and demonstrates flexibility to adapt to changing work priorities.
- Strong teamwork skills to thrive in a crew-based setting.
- At least 21 years of age at beginning of service term.
- U.S. citizen, national or lawful permanent resident.
- Ability to commit to the full 45-week term of service.
- Selection, placement, and retention are contingent upon passing the National Sex Offender Public Registry, state of service and state of residence criminal history check, and a national FBI check.
- Must follow all health and safety policies and procedures, including any changes that are implemented throughout the course of the program. Accepting a position means accepting the current requirements and any updates to those requirements while enrolled in the program.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Backpacking experience.
- Experience with hand and power tools (saws, drills, chainsaw, shovel, pulaski, etc.).
- Experience with trail and recreation site maintenance.
To Apply:
After reading the full position description on our website (linked at the top and below), email the following application materials to erica@mtadamsinstitute.org:
- Resume
- Cover Letter (include your motivation for applying in the letter)
- 3 professional references (include name, email, phone number, and relation to you)
Visit https://mtadamsinstitute.org/land-stewards/ for a full position description as well as a detailed program overview, application instructions, and frequently asked questions.
Contact Erica Bingham for further information or if you have questions about the Land Stewards program at erica@mtadamsinstitute.org.
Contact
Erica Bingham
erica@mtadamsinstitute.org (preferred contact method)