Location: Stanislaus National Forest, US Forest Service, Pinecrest, California
Organization Overview
The Stanislaus National Forest is located in the central Sierra Nevada Mountains of California. The Sierra, Jon Muir's "Range of Light," stretches for over 400 miles across the state and is internationally renowned for its granite peaks, glacial basins, high alpine lakes, mild weather, and amazing beauty. The Stanislaus Wilderness Crew is responsible for stewardship of the Emigrant, Carson-Iceberg, and Mokelumne wildernesses. Wilderness ranger interns play a key role in preserving wilderness character while working alongside experienced rangers. Many careers in the Forest Service start with an internship like this one.
Position Qualifications
The wilderness ranger intern must be able to backpack for multiple tours of duty, with each tour having the potential to last up to 9 days. The ranger should expect to carry a 50+ pound backpack and tools associated with duties, such as a shovel or crosscut saw. The ranger must be experienced in backpacking and wilderness travel with a demonstrated ability to work independently in remote locations. The wilderness ranger intern must be familiar with the Wilderness Act, wilderness ethics, and Leave No Trace principles. The wilderness ranger intern must have good communication skills, as interaction with wilderness visitors will be a primary responsibility. The wilderness ranger intern should be familiar with basic computer applications.
Position Responsibilities
Interns backpack to remote locations for up to 9 days at a time with a pack of 50 pounds or more, including tools associated with wilderness ranger duties. Interns receive training in crosscut saw use, wilderness first aid, non-native invasive plant identification, grazing monitoring, visitor contact methods, Leave No Trace instruction, campsite restoration methods, GPS, two-way radios, outfitter field inspections, recreation impact monitoring, and attend the Regional Wilderness Ranger Academy in Lee Vining, CA. Wilderness rangers perform trail clearing and maintenance using traditional tools, inform and educate wilderness visitors about minimum impact practices and regulations, inspect Outfitter/Guide camps for compliance with operating permits and participate in wilderness stewardship projects such as invasive plant removal, range monitoring, and habitat restoration. Interns will patrol wilderness to ensure that areas are used, and maintained in accordance with wilderness management plans and regulations, inventory and restore campsites in wilderness areas, install and repair trail signs, and collect evidence and provide documentation for cases of misuse of wilderness areas. Interns help manage collected data in digital format, including the input of data into databases, and may conduct projects for college credit. You will hike far, climb high, and grow strong.
Dates of Employment
June 1st – August 24th with an option to continue until September 30th
Compensation
$40 per day for each day worked (at least $360 every two weeks) and up to $400 for travel to and from Pinecrest. Housing and group equipment is provided.
To Apply
Send a resume and cover letter describing your backpacking experience, outdoor skills, and interest in the position to Adam Barnett, Wilderness Manager, Stanislaus National Forest at adambarnett@fs.fed.us [1] by March 1st, 2011.