This position serves as the Wilderness Ranger on the Wrangell Ranger District. The District includes the Stikine-LeConte Wilderness located on the mainland areas of the Stikine River and LeConte Bay. The South Etolin Wilderness is located on the southern portion of Etolin Island including Brownson and other smaller islands. The two Wilderness areas comprise approximately 1/3 of the Wrangell Ranger District. Please visit the TongassNational Forest website at: http://www.fs.fed.us/r10/tongass/forest_facts/resources/wilderness/wilderness. Follow the “Wilderness” links for more information about the areas.
The job environment includes equal proportions of both office and fieldwork. Office work involves data entry and the preparation of plans, documents, and reports. Fieldwork includes hiking in brown bear habitat and travel in open boats across both marine waters and the Stikine River. Overnight trips may include camping in a tent or a cabin in areas of brown bear habitat. Southeast Alaska is a temperate rain forest; therefore, rain with cool temperatures and biting insects are part of the field experience.
Work Schedule and Duties:
The work schedule is mostly normal business hours, 5 days per week. That schedule may be adjusted as needed to work with the tides and for efficiency of work. Some overnight and weekend work could be required. Prospective candidates need to be available the second week of April for safety training and orientation. We prefer employing people who can stay through the end of September.
Field duties include campsite monitoring, solitude monitoring, Wilderness education, and visitor contacts. Office duties include working at a desk, using a computer, for data entry and the preparation of plans, documents, and reports that support the Chief of the Forest Service’s 10-year Wilderness Management Challenge. The Wilderness Ranger must wear the full Forest Service uniform (provided by the district) while contacting visitors and permit holders in the field and in the office.
The employee is expected to participate in operation and maintenance of the boats needed for fieldwork, and to work toward obtaining a Forest Service small boat operators license. This position also requires that the employee carry a large caliber firearm for personal protection in the backcountry. Candidates must attend firearm training (provided by the district) and demonstrate shooting proficiency with a .375rifle. Pre-employment drug testing is required of all employees carrying firearms (this must be done before you can report to duty).
Living Accommodations in Wrangell
Bunkhouse space may be available (first come/first serve) at the rate of $7.15/day. Rent for quarters is deducted automatically from your paycheck (working out to approximately $215/month). Rentals are available in town at higher prices; however, collaboration among several people may reduce overall rent.
If interested and/or have questions about the hiring process or duties please contact:
David Rak Keith Appleman
Wilderness Manager Staff Officer
Tongass NF – WRD or Tongass NF – WRD
(907) 874-7566 (907) 874-7560
drak@fs.fed.us kappleman@fs.fed.us
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status (not all prohibited bases apply to all programs). Persons with disabilities who require means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotapes,etc) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).
To file a complaint of discrimination write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Ave, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9401 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA Forest Service is an equal opportunity provider and employer.