Heritage Program Resource Assistant
Job Announcement
United States Forest Service – Payette National Forest
McCall Ranger Station – McCall, ID
Heritage Program Resource Assistant
Please Respond By: April 29th, 2022
Northwest Youth Corps (NYC) in partnership with the United States Forest Service (USFS) welcomes applications for a Heritage Program Resource Assistant position . This is a 34-week full-time work experience from approximately June 1, 2022 to January 2023. Created in 1984 and modeled after the
Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930s, NYC is a non-profit job training and experiential education program for youth and young adults to learn and work in the field of natural resource management.
NYC will recruit and hire the selected RA candidate providing personnel and Human Resources needs during the placement. The daily activities of the RA will be primarily under the direction of Forest
Service staff.
Position: Heritage Program Resource Assistant
Target start date: June 1, 2022 (specific date to be determined by the RA and supervisor, may be up to two weeks earlier or later depending on the RA’s availability)
Duration: 34 weeks (About 9 Months)
Status: Full time (40 hours/week).
Duty Location: 500 N Mission Building 2 McCall, ID 83638
Overview
The Heritage Program Resource Assistant will support the Heritage Department on the Payette
National Forest. The hired individual will be assigned to create a digital site frequency model for program use and provide support as needed to the Heritage Program. Creation of the site frequency model will require the use of ESRI’s ArcMap GIS software to digitize a legacy land use dataset. The incumbent will develop a robust spatial analysis skillset through work on this project. Additionally, the incumbent will have the opportunity to support other Heritage Program goals via fieldwork tasks such as pedestrian survey and archaeological site monitoring, and office work tasks such as site documentation synthesis and records management.
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The Resource Assistant Program is a rigorous and immersive paid internship for individuals interested in Forest Service careers. Resource Assistants (RAs) work with Forest Service staff to complete mission-critical work that demonstrates leadership, critical thinking, and strategic communication.
Through direct training, experience, and exposure, RAs gain the tools to launch their natural and cultural resource careers. To learn more about the program, visit: https://www.fs.fed.us/working-with-us/volunteers/resource-assistants-program
Duties and Areas of Responsibility
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- At least 50% of the time would be spent in the field conducting pedestrian surveys and site monitoring for Section 106 and 110 projects. o In addition to Heritage data collection in the field, the incumbent would assist with records synthesis and management in the office. This could include digitizing field data into GIS, digitizing legacy project and site data into GIS, and scanning reports/site records for electronic access.
- Coordinate with heritage staff to develop a digital site frequency model for program use. This will include experience with ArcMap GIS software and clear communication with Heritage
Program managers to synthesize an accurate and functional model to help with developing an updated site inventory strategy.
- Database management, including: o Heritage SDE corporate GIS layers and hard copy land use data maps o Heritage NRM database training and management. o Heritage references and photo archive databases updates and management
Requirements
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with strong organizational and computer skills
- Ability to work independently and with a diverse group of people
- Be self-motivated, creative, and resourceful
- Ability to work effectively with professionals in a variety of disciplines in a collaborative and cooperative manner and handle multiple tasks/projects at a given time.
- Skills in problem solving, analysis, evaluation, and resolution.
- Ability to organize and prioritize tasks to meet objectives as part of the performance of position duties.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities, exercise sound judgment, and maintain a positive attitude.
- Basic GIS skills
- Successful completion of a background check.
- Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents over 19 years old.
- Valid state driver’s license
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Desired Skills
- Experience coordinating and/or managing projects in a timely manner.
- Ability to solve complex problems through creative and innovative approaches.
- Ability to adapt to change (such as changes to project scope, tasks, and timelines) and to persist through challenges to achieve goals and outcomes.
- Demonstrate professionalism that fosters an environment where colleagues and stakeholders feel valued, respected, and empowered to bring new ideas and issues forward.
- A desire to serve and promote public land stewardship and an ethic of service.
- Communicate and interact in a positive, professional manner with various populations such as: project partner(s), colleagues, community volunteers, youth and the general public.
- A commitment to the goals of the U.S. Forest Service.
- A cooperative manner and the ability to serve as part of a team.
- A willingness to ask questions for clarification and job completion.
- Work a flexible schedule, including some evenings and weekends.
- Ability to commit to the full term of service.
- Possession of a college degree, or near completion.
- Regular and reliable attendance and dependability.
- Previous experience working in Archaeology and Cultural Resource Management
Program Benefits:
- NYC will provide RA a total stipend of $17,000 divided across a 34-week term along with health care coverage, workers compensation, and FICA/Medicare.
- The RA will receive $2,750 in funding to reimburse relocation costs, program travel, and applicable trainings.
- The RA will receive a total housing stipend of $6,000 prorated monthly.
- The RA will have a minimum of 52 hours of flexible paid leave in addition to federally recognized holidays.
- The RA will qualify for a U.S. Forest Service Direct Hiring Authority and Noncompetitive
Hiring Eligibility upon completion of 960 hours of service. The hiring authority is valid for 2 years, once issued.
- Professional development, mentorship, trainings, and networking opportunities.
About the Payette National Forest
The Payette National Forest contains some of Idaho’s most beautiful and diverse country. Located north of Boise in west-central Idaho, the 2.3-million-acre forest extends 100 miles west to east, from
Hells Canyon to the Middle Fork of the Salmon River in the Frank Church-River of No Return
Wilderness. The forest stretches 70 miles between the Main Salmon River to the north and the
Weiser River to the south. There are five Ranger Districts, approximately 200 permanent employees, and over 150 temporary seasonal employees during the summer field season.
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Application Instructions Below
Application Deadline: April 29th, 2022
Interviews: Will occur as qualified applications are received
Type of position: Individual Placement
Service Dates: June 2022 to January 2023
Length of Term: 34 Weeks (1360 Hours)
How to Apply: Please submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references and completely fill out the application form found at https://nwyouthcorps.workbrightats.com/jobsearch/?job_board_classification=Internships
Additional Information
If you have questions about the Resource Assistant Internship, please reach NYC Internship Program
Officer Liv Kelley by phone at 208-805-0325 or livk@nwyouthcorps.org or Assistant Forest
Archaeologist, Molly Eimers by phone at 208-271-6463 or morgan.zedalis@usda.gov
NYC COVID-19 Protocols: We have developed and facilitated industry leading COVID management
protocols that are in place to keep our members and staff healthy, and have maintained an excellent
safety record. Read our COVID protocols by visiting www.nwyouthcorps.org/m/covid19.
All job offers are contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background check as well as record of full COVID 19 vaccination OR an NYC approved medical/religious exemption.
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