U.S. Forest Service Trail Management Technician - Overgaard, AZ

Start/End Date (anticipated): July 5, 2022 – December 30, 2022

Living Stipend: $750/week

Term: 26 weeks

Reports To: Debbie Roznovak (Black Mesa Ranger District)

Location: 2748 E. Hwy 260 Overgaard, AZ 85933

Status: non-AmeriCorps Service Term, full-time, temporary

Benefits: Public Lands Corps Certificate* with successful completion of the term.

*To be eligible for a Public Lands Corps certificate, members must be between the ages of 18-30, inclusive, at the time the member begins their term of service.

 

Arizona Conservation Corps, a program of Conservation Legacy, aims to continue the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930's. AZCC is focused on connecting youth, young adults, and recent era military veterans with conservation service work projects on public lands. AZCC operates programs across Arizona that engage individuals and strengthen communities through service and conservation. AZCC has program offices in Flagstaff and Tucson. 

 

Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest:  

The Apache and Sitgreaves National Forests, administered as one national forest, encompasses over two million acres of magnificent mountain country in east-central Arizona. On the Sitgreaves, the major attractions for visitors from the desert are the Mogollon Rim and eight cold-water lakes. From the Mogollon (pronounced: muggy-own) Rim’s 7,600- foot elevation, vista points provide inspiring views of the low lands to the south. The Rim extends two hundred miles from Flagstaff into western New Mexico. The Apache National Forest ranges in elevation from 3,500 feet to nearly 11,500 feet and is named for the Apache Tribe that calls this area home. The area from Mount Baldy east to Escudilla Mountain is often referred to as the White Mountains of Arizona. From the edge of the Mogollon Rim south of Hannagan Meadow, the land drops precipitously into the high desert around Clifton.

The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest is providing an opportunity for one qualified individual to serve as a Trail Management Technician with the Sitgreaves National Forest zone, where they will support the Recreation and Lands department. The intern will directly support non-motorized trail systems on the Sitgreaves Zone, acting as a trails management specialist, surveying trails, identifying maintenance and signage needs, planning work to be performed, directing and overseeing conservation corps trail crews, and developing a plan for future cyclical maintenance of trails within the zone. The intern will work closely with both the Black Mesa and Lakeside Ranger Districts’ Recreation Staff as well as community members, visitors, and volunteer trail groups to identify trail maintenance priorities and needs. The goal of this project is to address deferred maintenance and improve trail conditions on over 200 miles of non-motorized trail. The intern will have the opportunity to work closely and network with the Timber, Wildlife, Range, Fire, and GIS departments on both the Black Mesa and Lakeside Ranger Districts of the Forest. The intern will receive GIS instruction from the Forest GIS specialist, Job Hazard Analysis training, and other applicable trainings as needed.

 Essential Responsibilities and Functions:

·        Survey and document actions that need to be taken on all trails identified as part of the 2021 Sitgreaves Zone Trails Maintenance project, which includes approximately 200 miles of non-motorized trail.

·        Use GIS to properly locate and mark routes including those that no longer have tread on the ground. Identify these routes in order for incoming crews to create tread where needed.

·        Develop a schedule of work for project trails addressing all areas of work needed, including tread work, brushing, tree removal, sign and marker placement, installation of water control devices, etc., to reduce deferred maintenance on selected trails.

·        Communicate maintenance needs to AZCC crews and work closely with crews to address maintenance issues.

·        Act as a liaison between the Forest and AZCC by providing guidance to AZCC trail crews, and monitoring progress of crew work.

·        Assure crews have all material needed to perform work needed.

·        Develop a detailed, comprehensive, long-term, written maintenance plan that can be implemented and followed through future years.

·        Develop a signage plan that can be implemented as funding and staffing allows.

·        Complete independent trail maintenance where needed and as time allows. May include but is not limited to brushing, clearing, weed and rock removal, vegetation management along edge of trail, etc.

·        Intermediate trail maintenance knowledge and experience.

·        A self-starter that can easily work as a team or alone.

·        Demonstrate professionalism, both in demeanor and appearance. 

·        Applicants must pass a criminal history background check and possess a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record.

·        Full vaccination against COVID-19 by the first day of employment and ability to provide proof of vaccination before starting.

·        Previous experience with a Corps or youth serving organization.

·        Flexibility and willingness to learn.

·        Previous experience with public lands agencies.

·        To successfully perform essential functions, the individual is required to sit, stand, walk, speak, hear, etc. May be required to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl for significant periods of time and be able to safely lift 50 pounds on a routine basis.

·        Ability to hike and work in extreme weather/heat, uneven terrain, and poorly maintained roads and trails. Other potential hazards include hiking off-trail or along unmarked paths, slippery/wet conditions, and potential wildlife interactions.

·        Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

·        Work effectively as a member of a team despite potentially stressful and difficult conditions. This may require problem solving on an interpersonal or group level as well as a willingness to accept differences. 

·        Contribute to a safe learning environment, no harassment of others for any reason.

·        Willingness and ability to complete all aspects of the program including conservation projects, education, training, and national service. Members must commit to participating in all agency/team activities, including service days in local communities where applicable. 

·        Effectively communicate ideas and concerns as they arise directly to supervisors, colleagues, and organization staff. 

·        Appropriately represent the Arizona Conservation Corps, Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, and AmeriCorps to the public and partners at all times.

·        Learn and practice ‘Leave no Trace’ outdoor living techniques.

 

·        Effectively communicate danger to others in the form of either a warning of danger others may be encountering or a notification of personal distress, injury or need for assistance. Must be able to do so at a distance of up to 50 meters and in conditions with limited visibility or loud background noise such as darkness or high winds.

·        Effectively perceive, understand, and follow direction by others so that you will be able to successfully execute techniques to manage hazards. 

·        Stay alert and focused for several hours at a time while traveling and working in varied weather conditions. 

·        Respond appropriately to stress or crisis.

·        If taking prescriptions medications, participants must be able to maintain proper dosage by self-medicating without assistance from others.

 

·        In accordance with a drug free workplace, alcohol and drugs are prohibited while participating in AmeriCorps and program activities and while on organization property.

To Apply:  

Please submit an online application along with your resume and cover letter by clicking the "Apply Externally" button. If you have questions, contact AZCC’s Individual Placement Coordinator, Preston Sands, at psands@conservationlegacy.org.

 

For more information about Arizona Conservation Corps, please visit www.azcorps.org. Arizona Conservation Corps is a program of Conservation Legacy.