Coconino Wilderness/Wildlife Intern - Flagstaff, AZ

Title: Coconino Wilderness/Wildlife Intern (1 position) 

Start/End Date: April 23, 2024 – October 19, 2024 (anticipated)

Stipend: $400 per week living stipend + $200 housing stipend +Education Award.

Term: 26 weeks, full time

Reports To: Forrest Saville (USFS Trails & OHV Coordinator for Flagstaff District, USFS) 

Location: USFS Flagstaff Ranger Station (5075 N. Highway 89, Flagstaff, AZ 86004)

Status: 900-hour AmeriCorps Service Term

Benefits: AmeriCorps Education Award $3,247.50, Public Lands Corps Certificate*; both with successful completion of the internship. 

*To be eligible for a Public Lands Corps certificate, interns must be between the ages of 18 – 30, inclusive, at the time the individual begins the term of service. 

Arizona Conservation Corps (AZCC):

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.

Coconino National Forest: 

One of six National Forests in Arizona, the Coconino National Forest comprises 1.856-million acres in northern Arizona, with elevations ranging from 2,600 feet to the highest point in Arizona at 12,633 feet (Humphrey's Peak). Coconino National Forest contains diverse landscapes, including deserts, ponderosa pine forests, flatlands, mesas, alpine tundra, and ancient volcanic peaks. The forest surrounds the towns of Sedona and Flagstaff and contains all or parts of 10 designated wilderness areas.

Position Summary:

Arizona Conservation Corps (AZCC) is partnering with the Coconino National Forest to provide a 26-week paid professional opportunity to take place throughout the Coconino NF, focused on Wildlife Management near climbing areas. This position will conduct field surveys, inventories, and monitoring of wildlife and climbing resources. No housing is available for this position.

Position Description/Objective:

This position will work directly with Forest Service Wildlife Biologist and Recreation Specialist. The participant is expected to professionally represent the Forest Service (USFS) while working with a variety of agencies. Participant will join wildlife technicians near recreation areas over rough terrain to monitor wildlife species. Participant will collect data at climbing areas and monitor impacts. Participant will talk with climbers about wildlife conflicts and educate them about best practices. Participant may also conduct Opportunity for Solitude monitoring in planned areas, working independently in remote areas. 

Essential Responsibilities and Functions: 

• Monitor and Survey Wildlife Resources in remote areas during daylight and nighttime hours.
• Work with wildlife crew to monitor resources. 
• Work closely with peers and district staff to learn about wildlife management. 
• Collect data using GIS, work with district specialist to upload data.
• Collect and analyze wildlife monitoring and climbing data and make recommendations for management.
• Work with recreation staff to develop curriculum for educational events.
• Hosting educational programs to teach climbers and public about wildlife and recreation issues/ best practices. 

Qualifications:

• Pursuing or holding an Undergraduate degree in Wildlife Management, Biology, Natural Resource Management, Parks & Recreation, Forestry, or another environmental/conservation related field. 
• Teamwork oriented with clear, direct communication and interpersonal skills. Prior experience working in team setting is preferred. 
• Ability to interact with the public, user groups, community organizations, and agency staff.
• Ability to maintain poise and courtesy under pressure while demonstrating professionalism, both in demeanor and appearance.
• Ability to quickly develop positive relationships with a wide range of organizations and individuals interested in public lands management. 
• Ability and interest in technical writing. 
• Applicants must pass a criminal history background check and should possess a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record. 

Physical Requirements:

• 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 over rough terrain for up to 8 hours in difficult environmental conditions. 
• Ability to work, backpack, and live in varied outdoor conditions including exposure to adverse weather conditions at elevations of up to 12,600 feet. Ability to hike on steep, rocky terrain that seasonally holds ice and snow. 
• Ability to remain adequately hydrated, fed, and properly dressed to remain generally healthy and safe, avoiding environmental injuries. 
• Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Participation and Expedition Behavior: 

• Contribute to a safe learning environment, no harassment of others for any reason. 
• Work effectively as a member of a team despite potentially stressful and difficult conditions. 
• Willingness and ability to complete all aspects of the program. 
• Appropriately represent AmeriCorps, Arizona Conservation Corps, and the U.S. Forest Service at all times, including properly wearing the agency uniform. 

Safety and Judgement: 

• Effectively communicate danger to others in the form of either a warning of dangers others may be encountering or a notification of personal distress, injury, or need of 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 appropriate and perhaps unfamiliar techniques to manage hazards. These directions may be given before the hazard is encountered or may need to be given during exposure to the hazard. Ability to respond appropriately to stress or crisis that may arise. 
• Stay alert and focused for several hours at a time while traveling and working in varied weather conditions. 
• If taking prescription medications, participants must be able to maintain proper dosage by self-medicating without assistance from others. 
• Abide by agency safety protocol.

Environmental Ethics:

• Learn and practice “Leave No Trace” techniques. 

Substance Free:

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

Term Schedule:

Typical schedule will change during the season. While working with the wildlife crew it may include late nights. While later in the summer it will be 8-hour days, Friday through Tuesday. Weekdays typically include planning and learning, while weekends (Friday – Sunday) will be spent providing education programs at trailheads.

To Apply:  Please submit an updated resume and cover letter and three professional references along with the online application at https://azcorps.org/ip-positions. If you have questions, contact AZCC’s Individual Placement Coordinator Preston Sands through the AZCC website.

For more information on the USFS Coconino National Forest, please visit their website at fs.usda.gov/Coconino. 

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