Position Title: Range & Recreation Management Resource Assistant – Employee Participant

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: Fredonia, AZ

Application Timeline: Preference given to applicants that submit application by March 14, 2025.

Terms of Service:

Start Date: April 21, 2025 End Date: November 28, 2025 Weeks of Service: 32

Purpose:

Stewards Individual Placements (Stewards), a program of Conservation Legacy, provides individuals with service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and preserve our natural resources. Participants serve with federal agencies, tribal governments, and nonprofits to provide institutional capacity, develop community relationships, and support ecosystem health. Stewards in partnership with the Kaibab National Forest – North Kaibab Ranger District will host a Range & Recreation Management Resource Assistant

 

This Range & Recreation Management Resource Assistant is an Employee Participant position that will support the Kaibab National Forest North Zone in Range and Recreation Special Uses. The greatest reward and challenge of this position is working with two different departments that allow the Resource Assistant to learn about one department that is part of Stewardship and one department that is part of Public Services of the US Forest Service. This will come with challenges such as maintaining communication with two different program leads and managing a complex work schedule.

 

Range Management involves monitoring grassland and forest health for the use of permittees and for ecosystem health. Permittees include private individuals, businesses, and non-profits who are authorized to use public lands for grazing under certain conditions. Range is great for someone interested in ecology, sustainable land use, and/or animals. Note – Range Management activity will be dependent on Forest Service staff capacity to support this work.

 

Special Uses is the management of most commercial uses of National Forest Lands, such as outfitters and guides, recreation events, commercial filming, communication sites, utility lines, education centers, resorts, and much more. This professional internship requires a skillful and confident applicant with attention to detail, strong scheduling and executive functioning skills, and customer service focus, who can manage a busy workload and seeks learning opportunities with the support of permanent staff. This position will focus on processing minor special land l uses including filming research, and short term recreation activities.

 

This position is not virtual. Major Duties involve performing and completing developmental assignments that support broad natural resource functions intended to expand the employee’s understanding of concepts, underlying principles, and program requirements. Work assignments provide the trainee opportunities to communicate with the public regarding the agency’s management practices, program information, rules, and regulations.
This position will perform work at the equivalent of a GS-5 to GS-7 position in the federal service (visit
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/pay-systems/general-schedule/ for more information).

 

Description of Duties:

Range Monitoring

Assist resource staff on range use supervisionRange readiness reviews, range improvement inspectionsConduct compliance inspectionsConduct range monitoring on Forest vegetationCollect and enter data, use mobile applications, and maintain field equipmentHard copy permit file and electronic record keepingBilling supportCorrespondence with permit holdersInspection and monitoring of permit areas

 

Recreation Special Uses:
• Learning and utilizing the special uses database system (SUDS)
• Hard copy permit file and electronic record keeping
• Billing support
• Correspondence with permit holders
• Inspection and monitoring of permit areas
• Processing applications, creation of authorization documents
• Becoming knowledgeable in related policy and regulations
• Assistance with the environmental review process (NEPA)

Works with Federal and local law enforcement agencies to ensure compliance with federal laws, reporting all identified violations of law or regulations Convey Special Uses Screening Criteria, Forest Service Handbook/Manual, Forest Plans, and the Code of Federal Regulations to permit applicants, ensuring compliance Work with skilled technicians and professionals to:Learn and use various information databases that monitor recreation resources program activitiesProcess special use applicationsPerform on-the-ground investigations for site suitability inspectionsAdminister special authorization for recreation events, concessionaire operations, and special use permits Performs additional duties as assigned. May: Set up game cameras and/or take pictures while hiking/drivingUse Survey 123 to enter data Converse with the public Care for horses

 

Qualifications:

Must have a valid driver’s license and be insurable by Conservation Legacy (over 21 years old or drivers license for at least three years). Skill in using current desktop publishing software and equipment technology applicable to electronic and print publication procedures and word processing, including experience in Microsoft Office and Adobe software. Formal knowledge of basic principles, concepts and methodology of Natural Resources/public lands management as would typically be acquired through a bachelor's degree program within the profession in which the work is to be performed. Ability to gather and verify facts, ask questions, and to develop information that is clear and meaningful to the intended audience. Ability to review and/or edit reports prepared by others and to ensure that material conveys information that the writer intended, and that areas of misunderstanding or ambiguities are eliminated. Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, to effectively convey program information to the public and permit applicantsAttention to detail and organizational skills to develop plan ahead and develop a schedule with two supervisors in different program areas. These skills will also benefit work in inventory and monitoring, processing permits, update databases, and handling administrative tasks such as billingAbility to work collaboratively with skilled technicians, professionals, and stakeholders, as well as interact effectively with permittees and enforcement organizationsWillingness to learn, take on new challenges, and contribute to a team environment, as well as the ability to work independently when necessarySome positions may require the ability to perform fieldwork in outdoor environments, including hiking, navigating rough terrain, and conducting site inspectionsEnthusiasm for working with both people and hooved animals in the outdoorsDriver’s License and ability to learn trailer towingAbility to work independently or in small teams. Skill and knowledge gained through additional work experience, that provides the ability to perform
recurring assignments independently.United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alienHas received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate; or has not dropped out of secondary school to enroll as an AmeriCorps participant and agrees to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent prior to using the education award.Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check.Currently enrolled in post-secondary education program for Direct Hire Authority Certificate.

 

 Preferred Qualifications:

Major studies relevant to this position: environmental science, social science, biology, recreation, public policy, forestry, natural resources, and similar Experience in either Recreation operations and procedures or Range and/or Horsemanship Interest in public lands stewardship and impacts mitigationCustomer service or public service experienceDirty jobs experience is a plus, as this indicates a willingness to be around stock animals (range) and toilets (recreation)Customer service, paperwork or similar permitting experience, strong writing skills, and experience with interpreting policy

 

Benefits:

$18.75 Hourly Wage (pre-tax)$250.00 Weekly Additional Benefit $50/monthly commuting allowance. (pre-tax) Professional Development and Travel fund. On-the-job training related to position responsibilities. History and Orientation to Range and Grassland ManagementFirst Aid/CPR (applies to all work plan activities)Orientation to local hazards (weather, terrain, bugs and plants) (applies to all work plan activities)Camera operationsPlant identificationHand tool usage

 

 

How to Apply
Apply on-line at: https://stewardslegacy.org/open-positions.  In addition to your resume, please submit a one-page cover letter highlighting why you are interested in this position and how your background and experience will help you succeed in this position.

 

 

Application Timeline: Preference given to applicants who submit applications by March 14, 2025.

 

 

Supervisor Name and Contact Information:

Program Contact information: Sam Rush at srush@conservationlegacy.org Service Site Contact information: Victoria Allen at Allen@usda.gov

 

Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

 

We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodations due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager. 

 

 

Additional Details

Physical Requirements:

Conservation Legacy is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential functions. Some positions may require periodic overnight travel, non-traditional hours, ability to move across varied terrain, use program-specific tools and a range of technology on an infrequent or frequent basis. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.

 

Time Requirements:

This position is expected to serve 40 hours each week, but exact service schedules may vary.Lunch breaks will not be counted towards weekly hours.

Evaluation and Reporting:

Reporting requirements include, but are not limited to, bi-weekly timesheets and accomplishment tracking.