Wildnerness Ranger, Sierra NF

POSITION:  Wilderness Ranger Intern/Volunteer, Prather, CA

Organization: USDA  Sierra National Forest,  

The Sierra  National Forest is located  in central California on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, and borders both Yosemite and Sequoia Kings Canyon National Parks.  The forest contains approximately 578,505 acres of congressionally designated wilderness all within 5 wilderness areas including  the John Muir, Ansel Adams, Kaiser, Dinkey Lakes and Monarch.

The Sierra Wilderness crew is responsible for the stewardship of these 5 spectacular wilderness areas on the forest. The wilderness ranger intern/volunteer is an integral member of the wilderness team, and will primarily be partnered with one of the full-time experienced wilderness rangers. The  interns may be required to work alone or with volunteer groups from time to time.

Qualifications:  The ranger/intern must be familiar with the Wilderness Act, wilderness ethics and LNT principles (Leave no Trace), and  must have good communication skills, to interact with wilderness visitors and wilderness staff. Should be familiar with basic computer applications. 

The duties of a wilderness ranger requires physical fitness. The ranger/intern must be able to backpack, carrying a backpack of 50 pounds or more, including tools associated with wilderness ranger duties, perform strenuous work for 8-12 hours a day, and work multiple tours, with each tour having the potential to last up to 9 days. 

Tours will generally be 9 days on and 5 days off, but are subject to varying lengths.

The wilderness ranger interns will be provided with all required training including: Crosscut saw certification; Campsite inventory and rehabilitation; Trail maintenance; Public contacts methods; First aid & CPR; LNT (leave no trace); Documentation/ data collection in the field using GPS, digital cameras, and data processing in the office; Radio communication; Stock (horses & mules) safety. 

Position Responsibilities:

Clears trail and performs trail maintenance; Helps plan and coordinate the logistics required for completion of wilderness projects; Inventories, collects data, and performs campsite maintenance;

Collects Inventory and monitoring data for specific resources; Patrols wilderness to ensure that areas are used and maintained in accordance with wilderness management plans; Interacts with the public providing education and information, and to determine compliance with regulations or specifications;

Collects evidence and provides documentation for cases of misuse of wilderness areas;  Inventories and installs signs; Processes and organizes collected data according to specified data management protocols.

The rangers will work hard, sweat a lot, hike many miles, overcome challenges, learn new skills, create new friendships, meet many people, embrace spectacular beauty, and have fun --as a steward for wilderness.

Compensation: Housing, all work related vehicle travel and a field rate of $30 per day worked. Interns should expect to work 9 days every two weeks, and earn $270.

Dates of Employment: The position will be May 28 -Aug 24, 2013 with the potential to be extended until Sept 30, 2012.

CONTACT:

Apply: Send a resume and cover letter describing interest in the position,  and backpacking experience skills not later than Mar 1, 2013  to Micki Didier  mdidier@fs.fed.us , Lead Wilderness Ranger, Sierra National Forest