The interns will support the Lincoln & Rocky Mountain Ranger District Trails and Develop Recreation programs, on the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest.
The trails interns will perform trail maintenance tasks such as cutting/clearing logs with chainsaws and/or crosscuts, re-establishing tread, brushing, and cleaning out/repairing drainage structures alongside a district trail crew. This position's duties will mainly be concentrated in the frontcountry trails of the Lincoln Ranger District. There will also be opportunity for wilderness trail work in the Scapegoat Wilderness of the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex. Access to work sites will, generally, consist of backpacking or being packed in by stock. While in the field, the trail crew works and lives under primitive conditions, i.e.; sleeping in tents, preparing meals with camping stoves, occasionally working in rain/snow/inclement weather. The work will be physically arduous. The trail crew operates an 8 days on/6 days off schedule. This leaves plenty of time to explore the surrounding areas; Bob Marshall Wilderness, Glacier National Park, Missoula, Helena, etc. During days off, the intern will be housed in either a Forest Service cabin or wall tent.
The recreation interns will perform campground, trailhead, and rental cabin maintenance, while doing a fair amount of motorized trail maintenance as well. The incumbent may conduct visitor experience surveys with the public. There will be an opportunity to gain experience using UTVs/ATVs, heavy equipment, and chainsaws and other power tools, and there may be an opportunity to become red-carded to fight fire. The recreation crew schedule is generally a weekly schedule, M-Th, with 3-day weekends, but there may be some variability depending on work needs.
This is a great opportunity in creating a foundation for pursuing a career in land management, while also gaining the valuable skills/experiences/contacts necessary to take that next step into recreation, wilderness, trails, or fire.
While there may be opportunity to carpool/share rides, it is recommended that the intern has a personal vehicle for days off. The location of provided housing is fairly remote. Also, Lincoln and Choteau, MT are very small towns with limited services. The flexibility of being able to explore the region on days off will greatly enhance the interns' experience.
Compensation amounts:
– $1,100- one time RT travel allowance
– $250 – weekly living allowance
– All Weather Uniform Package
– AmeriCorps eligible ($2,474 education award)
*All allowances subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes
*For SCA's COVID-19 guidance, please refer to www.thesca.org/covid
Position ID: PO-00734325
Expected Dates: May 22, 2023 - September 17, 2023
Location:
1569 Highway 200
Lincoln, MT 59639
US
Training Provided: Proper use and maintenance of hand tools/chainsaws (S-212), trail maintenance techniques, radio use, bear spray use, basic horse/mule packing skills, living in a backcountry setting, Leave No Trace
Educational/Recreational Opportunities: Wilderness backpacking, mountain biking, hunting, fishing, Continental Divide Trail
Handicap Accessible?: No
Main Area of Focus: Backcountry/Trail work
Further Details
AmeriCorps Eligible: Eligible
Driving Logistics: Recommended
While it may be possible to organize rides into town for groceries, etc., a personal vehicle is highly desirable and strongly recommended to ensure the intern can access all services, facilities, and local opportunities,
Housing or Stipend Provided?
A. Partner will provide suitable housing for the member
While on hitch, this position will be required to tent camp. On days off, a shared Forest Service cabin or wall tent will be available to the intern.
Indoor/Outdoor: Outside
US Citizenship: Yes