Recreation Technician Member

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, is seeking one (1) Recreation Technician Member to work on the Entiat and Chelan Ranger Districts. This opportunity is intended for enthusiastic professionals with a deep interest in recreation and management on National Forest land.

The member will have the opportunity to support Recreation projects across the district, including program areas such as developed recreation, backcountry education, trails, and the off-highway vehicle program. The member will spend the season maintaining recreation sites and trails while educating hikers on best use practices, regulations, and Leave No Trace principles in the rugged Cascade Mountains. The district is responsible for the maintenance of 13 land-based developed campgrounds, 11 boat-in campgrounds, 21 trailheads, hundreds of miles of trails, and numerous dispersed sites. Opportunities may be available for mountain bike and motorbike logout depending on skill and comfort level.

This position is ideal for a person who has a passion for being in the mountains. The project locations vary from established administrative buildings to mountainous wilderness areas, with ninety percent of the service and related travel performed outdoors. Backcountry travel experience and skills are a plus for this position, but training will be provided. The position requires strenuous physical exertion, including walking in steep or uneven terrain, heavy lifting, and carrying backpacks up to 50 pounds or more. Exposure to extreme weather and temperature is expected. Schedule varies, but 10-hour days are common.

Start Date: May 2026

End Date: October 17th, 2026

Location: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest; Entiat & Chelan Ranger Districts, Entiat, WA

Entiat Ranger Station, Entiat, WA, is located approximately 20 miles north on Hwy 97A from the nearest full-service community of Wenatchee, WA. There are minimal services, such as gas and groceries, at this site. Government housing is an additional 10 miles from the ranger station. A personally owned vehicle is highly recommended if utilizing housing. Cell service is limited at the housing location. Please be prepared to live and work in this remote, mountain setting.

The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest encompasses nearly 3.8 million acres along the east slopes of the Cascade Range in central Washington. The Forest encompasses a diverse area of sparkling rivers and lakes, deep canyons, and rugged mountains up to 10,541 feet in elevation. The Okanogan-Wenatchee NF produces a wealth of water resources, timber, wildlife, fish, minerals, and outdoor recreation opportunities. The district is also home to Echo Ridge Nordic Ski Resort and the Lake Chelan Recreation areas.

Position Overview/Essential Functions

To include, but not limited to:

• Serve with Forest Service employees and other ACE members as part of a recreation crew.
• Maintain developed recreation facilities, including campgrounds, picnic areas, and trailheads.
• Maintain and improve the condition of hiking, biking, horseback riding, and off-highway vehicle trails using various specialized tools. Tools include handsaws, axes, hoes, loppers, shovels, picks, crosscut saws, chainsaws, hedge trimmers, and power brushers. Trainings and certifications are provided.
• Participate in special projects such as bridge building, campground facilities repair, heavy trail maintenance projects, and hunter education or other tasks assigned to achieve district recreation program goals.
• Demonstrate and educate visitors on rules, regulations, tread lightly, Leave-No-Trace ethics, and proper backcountry practices during multi-day trips. Training is provided.
• Clearly communicate with members of the public, volunteers, and Forest Service employees in a friendly and non-confrontational manner.
• Keep a daily log of service activities, visitor contacts data, recreation site survey data, and site conditions.
• Attend and complete all training and service requirements.
• Patrols recreation areas and trails for compliance by day visitors and campers with established rules and regulations posted in the area. Reports apparent violations to the supervisor.
• Performs routine recreation operations and maintenance, including but not limited to picnic table and fire ring installation, signboard maintenance and installation, ensuring correct signage is included, and cleanup work, including repairing minor damage of recreation facilities, i.e., toilets, buildings, etc.
• Cleaning bathrooms and restocking supplies will also be necessary.
• Use of technology, such as tablets and GPS systems, will be utilized to collect baseline data and inventories.
• Assessing dispersed camping locations where motorized users congregate for resource damage will be necessary, and the use of technology such as tablets and GPS systems will be utilized to accomplish this, along with inventorying user-created trails, signs, and sign needs.
• Strong verbal communication skills are preferred, as many public contacts will be made, and education and enforcement will occur.
• Installation of signs, maintenance of signboards, and posting of information will also be performed.

This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promote exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups.

Training/Orientation: The ACE member will receive position-specific training and an orientation outlining ACE policies, procedures, and networks for support. The member will be trained via the USFS in a variety of maintenance skills and techniques, and may have the opportunity to complete more specialized training/certifications in crosscut, chainsaw, or motorbike training.

Schedule: Can range from 4 days a week working 10-hour days with 3 days off to 8 days working 10-hour days with 6 days off.

Position Requirements

• Member must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, as required by U.S. government contracts.
• Must be between the ages of 21 and 30 years of age.
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required two-part criminal history check as well as a federal background check.
• Must have a valid driver's license, a clean driving record, be insurable, and have the ability to provide documentation when requested.
• Ability to pass a basic written test and road test to obtain a US Government Motor Vehicle Operator's Card.
• Personal reliable transportation is required, as the duty station is considered remote.
• First Aid/CPR certified or willing to get certifications during the program.
• Member must be physically fit, and able and willing to walk long distances (5-10 miles/day) while carrying heavy loads (+55 pounds) with steep elevation gains.
• Must travel, serve, and live safely in mountainous wilderness settings and/or remote community settings, including proper and safe use of backpacking/camping equipment during trips.
• Possess cut-resistant or leather work/hiking boots with 4-8" tops, which are a necessary requirement for chainsaw operations. Boots should be comfortable to hike in for long distances on a daily basis.
• Must be able to serve long hours outdoors.
• Maintain regular and reliable attendance. Must be able to consistently show up on time and fit for duty.
• Communicate professionally with many different people (land managers, other Forest Service employees, volunteers) in both an office and field setting.
• Have a willingness to serve alone or in small teams and the ability to perform duties with minimal supervision.
• Able to maintain physical health and a positive attitude while performing physical labor in extreme conditions (heat, cold, rain); the season will start with snow on the ground and end with snow on the ground, in between it will be hot and dusty.
• Commitment to promoting responsible and safe recreation activities in National Forests.
• Must follow all health and safety policies and procedures, including any changes that are implemented throughout the course of the program. Accepting a position means accepting the current requirements and any updates to those requirements while enrolled in the program.
• ACE is a drug-free workplace and reserves the right to drug test at any time.
• The member must be willing to represent ACE and the Forest Service in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to perform duties in a team environment with a variety of members on a wide range of tasks.
• Comfortable with public speaking and engaging with recreation users.
• Education in natural or cultural resource management, or environmental sciences.
• Demonstrate a history of working or recreating in a backcountry, semi-backcountry, or natural environment.
• Ability to interpret instructions and complete work based on project work plans.
• Experience with safe use of hand tools (this could include experience in farming, gardening, orchard work, landscaping, carpentry, construction, etc.).
• Knowledge of equipment assembly, installation, and repair.
• Physically fit upon arrival, and able to begin the season hiking and carrying heavy packs on day one.
• Understanding and appreciation for various outdoor recreation activities related to the recreation field, including mountain biking, hiking, backpacking, horse riding, dirt biking, etc.

Physical Demands, Work Environment, and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, stooping, kneeling, walking, hiking, and heavy lifting. Manual dexterity is required for the use of various tools. Ability to hike over and navigate steep, rough terrain, and camp overnight under field conditions.
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral, and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Ability to move and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise, such as gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently, working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
• Travel: This position will require regular domestic travel.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards, including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland conditions, biting insects, and potentially dangerous wildlife. The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger themselves, fellow staff members, or resources.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute 40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $775.00/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly. The living allowance is a fixed rate determined by the USFS and ACE and is not flexible.

Member Travel Assistance: The ACE member will have access to up to $500.00 to be used for eligible travel to relocate to the project location. Further details regarding the distribution of these funds will be provided during the interview process.

Gear Assistance: The ACE member will have up to $200.00 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes camping equipment, work-related gear/apparel, etc. These purchases must be approved by ACE staff before being made.

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and is not provided by ACE or the USFS. There is a bunkhouse available for rent 10 miles from the Entiat Ranger Station. The member will share housing with other Forest Service seasonal staff. The bunkhouse has bedrooms, a full kitchen, an eating area, a living room, and a bathroom. The member may have to share a bedroom and will share a bathroom with other bunkhouse residents. Bed frames and mattresses are provided, but you will need your own sheets and pillows. The kitchen is fully stocked with utensils, pots, pans, plates, etc. There is a washer and dryer in the house, although you will need your own detergent. There is no television, and cell service is not available at the bunkhouse. There is Wi-Fi in the bunkhouse, and Wi-Fi calling is available.

Pets, firearms, alcohol, and drugs (including marijuana) are prohibited in the bunkhouse. Under federal law, marijuana & cannabis products are still classified as a controlled substance. Even though it may be legal in certain states, it is illegal on Federal lands, including campgrounds, buildings, and other facilities.

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority:

Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a federal hiring authority upon completion of their term of service and 640 hours of service. If the duration of a PLC-eligible term is not long enough for Members to accrue 640 hours of service (~16 weeks), the total hours served at the completion of the term may be eligible to be combined with hours accrued from another PLC-eligible term to meet the 640 hours requirement. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age (You must be between the ages of 16 and 30. Some agencies also interpret these guidelines to include veterans up to age 35) and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility or view general eligibility information on our website.

To Apply:

Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience, and contact information for three professional/academic references to ACE's online application page for this position on our website. Early consideration will be given as applications are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position, please feel free to contact Allison Finch, BLM/USFS Project Manager at afinch at usaconservation dot org.

ACE participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information when you are enrolled in a program to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

EEO: Employment or Service with ACE is based upon ability, qualifications, attitude, and job-related factors. Every qualified employee, member, or applicant has the same opportunity for recruitment, hire, training, transfer, promotion, compensation, demotion, termination, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, creed, national origin, pregnancy, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information, veteran or military status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, medical condition, marital or parental status, political affiliation, ethnicity, hair texture or style, arrest record, caste, hereditary status, endogamy, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, or federal law.