Trails and Natural Engineering Manager - Eldorado

NATURAL RESOURCES RA- ELDORADO NF (RAP)

Job Description:

The Great Basin Institute (GBI), in cooperation with the Eldorado National forest, is recruiting a Natural Resource Specialist to assist with maintaining and developing activities relating to recreation and wilderness resources throughout the District.

This position is supported through the Forest Service Resource Assistants Program (RAP) and the successful candidate will be eligible for a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) certificate. With a DHA certificate, the RA can be directly appointed to a permanent position with the USFS. The RAP program emphasizes the engagement of current students, recent graduates, and underrepresented populations in natural and cultural resources work. Our collaborative mission with the RAP is to develop a diverse and inclusive workforce, accomplish mission-critical goals, and support career exploration, coaching, and mentoring. For more information about this program, please visit the USFS’s RAP website.

The RA will be working with and leading partnership and volunteer trail crews that will be performing trail maintenance on motorized and non-motorized trails. The RA will participate in the recreation program assisting forest staff with special uses administration, recreation site maintenance, coordination with fire/timber and other functions, volunteer/partner coordination, and wilderness and trails management/maintenance. The RA will assist in entering data collected in the field by themselves and other Forest Recreation program staff.

Primary job duties:

• Provide a point of contact for any trail maintenance activities performed by partners, volunteer organizations, and FS staff by planning, assessing, implementing, and/or documenting.
• Accomplishing TRACS and GYR surveys, HMPs, and trail condition reports to be entered into FS databases.
• Assist with management of OHV Grant program, including coordination and submission of grant applications, staffing, supplies and training needs to execute the program, tracking of funding and expenditures for billing and grant agreement closeout.
• Coordinates annual Trails Assessment and Condition (TRACs) surveys and trails program annual accomplishments. Assists with data collection, database (NRM INFRA) entry, and upward reporting.
• Accomplishing Real Property condition surveys, pre-operation/mid-season/post-operation campground and recreation site inspections.
• Patrolling and interacting with Forest visitors. Recording visitor use monitoring, implementing public lands stewardship and Leave No Trace practices.
• Assisting District and Forest staff with various recreation program activities, tasks and duties in a safe and timely manner.
• Position will include administrative office and fieldwork.

The RA may be required to travel and work in the backcountry and other remote locations on the forest, independently, and in teams. Both fieldwork and administrative work in an office will be required. Driving on and navigating forest roads and hiking in uneven terrain will be required. May require physical exertion throughout the day in high temperatures and camping overnight in cool, high-elevation conditions. All field going activities are required to be well-documented for data entry at the office.

Contract Timeline:

All cohort RA positions will start together on June 6th, 2023

8 month term length

Location:

Placerville, CA

Eldorado National Forest:
Project activities will take place on the Eldorado National Forest (NF).
Located in the central Sierra Nevada, the Eldorado NF is bordered on the east by the Lake Tahoe Basin and the Humboldt-Toiyabe NF, and by the Tahoe and Stanislaus NFs to the north and south, respectively. Eldorado NF offers an abundance of outdoor activities including fishing, boating, hiking, biking, skiing and climbing. The forest is home to much of the American River headwaters and the stunning Desolation Wilderness, and is in the heart of California’s historic Gold Country. People travel to Eldorado National Forest for its rich prospecting history, diversity of outdoor adventure and even beautiful vineyards.

Compensation and Benefits:

• $650/week living allowance
• $1,000/month housing stipend
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance available at no cost to you
• Funding for professional development (up to $3,000)
• Paid federal holidays, per agency schedule
• Paid time-off (accrued; amount dependent on employment length)
• Training: Defensive Driver's Training (provides eligibility for personal vehicle insurance discounts), and technical skills trainings such as report writing and field skills/safety training
• Networking: Opportunities to interact and network with USFS, access to GBI network and resources
• Eligibility to ProDeals, such as Outdoor Prolink

Job Qualifications:

• Degree or coursework towards a degree in recreation/wilderness management, natural resources, or equivalent field experience;
• Experience collecting field data and following established field collection protocols;
• Ability to use or willingness to be trained in the operation and maintenance of handheld GPS units (e.g., Trimble);
• Knowledge of ArcGIS software with a proven ability to create maps, as well as organize, manage, upload, and update data/databases, desired;
• Strong written and oral communication skills and experience in providing visitor services, environmental education, outreach and/or interpretation;
• Ability to read and navigate using topographic maps and a compass;
• Motivated, self-starter, detail oriented, and possess good organizational skills;
• Ability to camp and work in remote locations;
• Ability to work alone or in small groups to accomplish the goals and mission of the USFS and GBI;
• Previous work experience in Sierra Nevada range, knowledge of recreation resource and general land management issues, and understanding of the USFS mission, desired;
• Ability to work in harsh and rapidly changing environments and traverse uneven terrain; and
• Clean, valid, state-issued driver’s license with ability to safely operate a 4WD vehicle on paved and unpaved roads.

Other Job Information (if applicable):

The Resource Assistants Program (RAP) is a rigorous and immersive, paid internship for individuals who are interested in conservation, natural and cultural resources, environmental management, research and development, or other career opportunities with land management agencies. The program emphasizes the engagement of current students, recent graduates, and underrepresented populations in natural and cultural resources work

• Eligibility for the RAP Direct Hire and Noncompetitive Hiring Eligibility authorities for 2 years after successful completion of the program

EEO Statement

We conform to all the laws, statutes, and regulations concerning equal employment opportunities and affirmative action. We strongly encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply to all of our job openings. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, age, disability status, Genetic Information & Testing, Family & Medical Leave, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We prohibit Retaliation against individuals who bring forth any complaint, orally or in writing, to the employer or the government, or against any individuals who assist or participate in the investigation of any complaint or otherwise oppose discrimination.