Position Summary:

The U.S. Forest Service is recruiting 2 summer interns to provide recreation management assistance on the Darrington and Skykomish Ranger Districts in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie NF. The Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest in Washington is a National Forest extending more than 140 miles along the western slopes of the Cascade Range from the Canada–US border to the northern boundary of Mount Rainier National Park. As one of the highest visited National Forests in the nation, the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest receives millions of visitors annually. We are seeking candidates with a desire to work outdoors, engage the public with these wild places, and may want a career in public lands management.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Major duties are related to learning and working alongside personnel in visitor services at the Mt. Baker – Snoqualmie. The interns will work for 50% of their time supporting the developed recreation program; duties will include performing maintenance at trailheads and dispersed camping sites, providing visitors information on recreational opportunities, forest ethics and regulations, 20% of the intern’s time will be completing trail maintenance; duties include hiking out with tools to support trail projects that improve hiker experience and safety, and minimizes impact of trail on environment (e.g. erosion, native plant damage). The interns will also work for 20% of their time with the Wilderness program, where duties include hiking several miles to maintain backcountry recreation sites and providing information on wilderness ethics. The interns will work 10% of their time positively engaging with visitor and providing information on recreation opportunities, forest and wilderness ethics. The interns will also receive formal training provided by the U.S. Forest Service.

Required Qualifications:

  • Ability to work outdoors, walk, hike, and assist the public in remote settings and inclement weather on uneven ground
  • Ability to give direction and talk to the public
  • Positive attitude
  • Good verbal communication skills
  • Ability to lift and carry up to 25 lbs.
  • Current driver’s license and clean driving record

Desired Qualifications:

  • Conservation, reforestation and/or outdoor rec skills.
  • College courses in related field.

Duty location:

One intern will work in the Verlot, WA. The intern will report daily to Verlot Public Service Center at 33515 Mtn. Loop Highway, Granite Falls, WA 98252. Incumbent must arrange their own transportation to and from the office.

One intern will work in Skykomish, WA. The intern will report daily to Skykomish Ranger Station at 74920 Stevens Pass Hwy. Incumbent must arrange their own transportation to and from the office.

Terms of Employment:

Two AmeriCorps members will complete a term of service (length dependent on commitment of hours), tentatively starting June 17. Starting date is negotiable to accommodate student schedules. Time commitment is 12 weeks (must complete a minimum of 450 hours in order to receive the AmeriCorps education award). Interns will work weekends and holidays.

Program Benefits:

A living allowance totaling $5,216.40, pro-rated into monthly payments and a $1,538.36 education award upon completion of the 450 hours of service and/or position requirements. The living allowance and education award are  taxable. Housing is provided by the US Forest Service. Members are responsible for providing their own food and other personal amenities. Service eligibility is contingent upon the results of a criminal and driving background check.

To Apply:

Please visit www.nwyouthcorps.org/m/ourprograms/ConservationInterns and click on “Apply Now” under the Recreation Management Steward position. If you have questions about the position, please contact Andrew Tagge, Internship Coordinator, at andrewt@nwyouthcorps.org or 541-654-4704 or Aleta Eng, Partnership Specialist, at aleta.eng@usda.gov or 425-783-6017. This announcement will remain open until the position is filled and interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis.

The member will not engage in any prohibited activities as stated in the Member Service Agreement.