AmeriCorps USDA Forest Service Trails Technician

Title: AmeriCorps USFS Cibola Trails Technician 
Start: June 3, 2024 - November 15, 2024
Stipend: $680/week + $270/week Housing Allowance both paid on a bi-weekly basis
Term: 24 weeks, 40 hours a week
Location: Based out of the Cibola National Forest Ranger District Albuquerque, NM 
Status:  900-hour AmeriCorps Service Term  
Schedule: Individual Placement AmeriCorps members service hours typically follow Monday - Friday service schedule but may include weekends or evenings based on the specific needs of the service site. 
Benefits:  AmeriCorps Education Award $3,447.50 after successful completion and access to Member Assistant Program 

Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC) is a program of the non-profit service organization, Conservation Legacy, that is built on the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) which operated from 1933 – 1942. SCC provides youth and young adults opportunities to complete conservation projects primarily on public lands. While serving with SCC, members receive training on job skills, conflict resolution, leadership, teamwork, and environmental stewardship. Programs are developed using a step ladder approach to provide a progression of skill development based on a member’s needs. Members receive a weekly living allowance, training, and an AmeriCorps Education Award (for qualifying individuals).       

Program Overview:  
The United States Forest Service has an overall mission of “Caring for the Land and Serving People.” 
The Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands encompass 1.9 millions acres including four wilderness areas in New Mexico with areas ranging from 5,000ft to 11,301ft in elevation. The four areas include Sandia Mountain, Manzano Mountain, Withington, and Apache Kid. The Cibola National Grasslands spans 263,261 acres over the Black Kettle, McClellan Creek, Kiowa and the Rita Blanca areas located in northeastern New Mexico, western Oklahoma and northern Texas.

The Individual Placements (IP) will work with the Forest Service Trails staff on the implementation of trail projects in the Zuni Mountains, Lobo Canyon (Mt. Taylor) and a variety of projects on the Sandia Mountain Range. The IPs will be trained in trails management, inspecting, and collection of information for condition surveys as well as the ability to perform basic trail management (construction of water control structures, minor retaining walls, etc.). The primary goal of these internships is to assist the Forest Service in providing outdoor access to the public in the form of hiking, equestrian and biking trails. The IPs will also have an opportunity to collaborate and engage in various projects involving youth corps crews, volunteer/partner groups, and contractors. IPs will directly contribute to the implementation of these projects knowing that their service will be enjoyed by the public for generations to come. IPs will also develop various skills to bolster resumes for applying to trails based federal positions.

Essential Roles and Responsibilities Include:

Trail Fundamentals and Construction
•    Understanding of basic trail building tools, their use, and methodology of applying treatments to the ground
•    Basic tool functionality
•    Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) requirements
•    Water control structures
•    Advanced trail structures such as retaining walls and bermed turns

Trail Inspection, Surveys, and Project Preparation
•    Understanding of basic trail project management and adherence to USFS guidelines
•    Inspections and Surveys
o    Ensuring trail is construction/repaired in accordance with guidelines
o    Identifying concerns and conducting surveys on various trail segments
•    Project site preparation
o    Flagging trail alignments, identifying hazardous aspects of the trail
•    Implementation preparation
o    Ensuring proper PPE/gear is collected 

Partnerships/Volunteerism
•    Serving with agency partners
o    Assisting with the coordination of logistics for partners
o    Understanding and successfully serving alongside with diverse groups people
o    Ensuring appropriate level of PPE and training before begin a project
o    Ability to speak to site specific trail standards

Preferred Qualifications or a Strong Desire to Grow in the Following:  
•    Self-starter who is willing to be trained to perform various trail projects
•    Previous trail surveying and trail construction experience
•    Comfortability with camping overnight in remote locations

Training Provided:  
•    Written, classroom, impromptu and visual learning aids about pertinent subject matter
•    Mentorship in the field 

Potential Environmental or Human Risk Involved:
•    Slips, trips, and falls
•    Debris from tool strikes
•    Exposure to the elements from serving in remote locations
•    May overnight near project site or in nearby USFS bunkhouses if available

Housing Provided: No

General Requirements:  
•    Received or on track to receive high school diploma or GED  
•    Valid U.S Driver's License  
•    Per grant funding, candidate must be 18-30 years of age, up to 35 years of age if veteran status 
•    U.S. citizen, U.S. National, or Lawful Permanent Resident 
•    Willing to undergo and must pass required criminal history checks

Apply Now!  
To apply, please submit an updated resume and letter of interest along with the online application.  
  
Contact Niki Antonio with any questions | nantonio@conservationlegacy.org 

Conservation Legacy strives to create a diverse workplace and an inclusive culture to give more people the chance to experience the outdoors and improve our shared outdoor spaces. Conservation Legacy encourages applicants from all backgrounds to apply for this position. We are deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Conservation Legacy is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic.

"Internship is dependent on grant funding*