Title: AmeriCorps USFS Range Technician

Start: June 3, 2024 – August 23, 2024

Stipend: $760 per week living stipend paid on a bi-weekly basis

Term: 12 weeks, 40 hours a week

Location: Based out of the San Juan National Forest Ranger District Pagosa Springs, CO

Status:  450-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 $1,824.07 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 San Juan National Forest encompasses about 1.8 million acres in the beautiful southwestern corner of Colorado. From high-desert mesas to alpine peaks, these federal lands are managed by the USDA Forest Service for multiple uses. Visitors are asked to respect each other and the natural resources while recreating on the hundreds of miles of trails. The Pagosa Ranger District manages 585,770 acres of the San Juan National Forest in Archuleta, Mineral, Hinsdale, Conejos, and Rio Grande counties.

The Rangeland Management Program cares and manages rangeland resources on National Forest System Lands. Rangeland Management within the Forest Service collets and analyzes data to make informed decisions on the state and health of rangeland resources. This program collaborates directly with livestock producers who hold grazing permits on the forest as well as other disciplines within the agency. The Individual Placement (IP) will assist the program with invasive species control, build and/or maintain range improvements, and inventory and monitor rangeland resources. Range improvements are critical infrastructure to proactively manage livestock on the allotments as well as providing water sources for local wildlife. Inventory and monitoring helps inform management actions in making decisions that ultimately support a sustainable and ecological based program.

Essential Roles and Responsibilities Include:

Invasive Species Control

• Assist supervisor with noxious week control through herbicide application, mechanical control, or biological control

• Identify targeted noxious weed species for control

• Collect geo-spatial and tabular data associated with treatments

Repair and Maintain Range Infrastructure

• Assist supervisor with maintenance needs on range infrastructure including fence lines, and spring developments

• Use hand and power tools to complete service activities

Inventory and Monitoring Rangeland Resources

• Use appropriate monitoring techniques for data collection

• Collect data in both electronic and hardcopy format

Preferred Qualifications or a Strong Desire to Grow in the Following: 

• College during or credits in Natural Resource Management

• Off highway Vehicle (OHV) operation

• Experience with herbicide application

• Data collection and organization

• Farm or ranch experience

• Horse/stock handling

Training Provided: 

• OHV operation, hand tool use, plant identification

Potential Environmental or Human Risk Involved:

Housing Provided: Yes

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

Contact Niki Antonio with any questions | nantonio@conservationlegacy.org

*Internship is dependent on grant funding*

Pagosa Springs Climate Jobs

AmeriCorps USFS Range Technician