Medicine Wheel Interpretive Ranger

Position Summary 

The Medicine Wheel/Medicine Mountain National Historic Landmark (the Wheel) is an active Sacred Native American Traditional Cultural Property and National Historic Landmark. It is a site that is spiritually significant to many people and receives visitors from around the world. The Wheel is at approximately 9,600 feet elevation with historical use of the area spanning back 10,000 years at least. The Wheel falls within the Medicine Wheel Ranger District of the Bighorn National Forest and the Forest is charged with staffing, monitoring, and protecting the site. Staff are vital for protecting the site, educating the public, ensuring privacy during Native ceremonies, and balancing the interests of cultural practitioners, visitors, and livestock producers. Upwards of 10,000 people visit the Wheel in the summer months and staff are crucial for keeping the public informed, safe, and respectful of cultural practices. Most interpretation is impromptu and staff will be provided with detailed information about the Wheel’s history, local flora and fauna, Native history, and other relevant knowledge

Location 

• Lovell, WY

Schedule 

• May 25, 2026 – September 11, 2026

Key Duties and Responsibilities 

• The primary functions of an interpretive ranger are site protection, monitoring, public education and site upkeep
• Staff are responsible for greeting all visitors, sharing the regulations and specifications of the site, educating the public on the Wheel’s cultural significance and history, and other information about the surrounding area
• When Native people come to the site, the staff are responsible when requested for ensuring their privacy which entails stopping all traffic for the duration of the ceremony
• Daily, staff should rotationally hike the three miles out-and-back to the Wheel to ensure the public stays on designated routes and comply with regulations
• Provide daily cleaning and restocking of the two vault toilets at the site as well as general cleanup of any trash from visitors in the area of site.
• Once the road opens, staff are responsible for coordinating vehicle and ATV/UTV traffic to ensure pedestrian safety
• Daily, staff are responsible for tracking and documenting visitation data and generating a daily log that will be included in a publicly available annual report

Marginal Duties 

• Staff are responsible for cleaning the two restrooms (three vaults) each morning and throughout the day as needed, picking up trash and debris throughout the day
• Checking trashcans at the kiosk and the overlook, removing and replacing them when full; Answering general questions about the agency, ongoing projects, road closures, construction, and other miscellaneous topics
• The Wheel is surrounded by cattle pastures and staff will, on occasion, must shepherd small groups (typically 3-4) of cattle into the appropriate pasture
• Other activities as needed

Required Qualifications 

• Staff must be comfortable interacting with high volumes of people and managing multiple tasks simultaneously
• Staff must be comfortable working in a backcountry exposed environment in potentially inclement weather conditions (e.g. snow, sleet, thunderstorms, heat, wind)
• Staff must be able to hike three miles daily at high elevation or ability to quickly gain ability
• Staff must posses a valid driver’s license and be willing and able to operate an agency-owned vehicle

Preferred Qualifications 

• Preferred qualifications are experience in high volume, fast paced environments such as customer or food services
• Experience in multicultural settings with exposure to different cultural backgrounds and languages
• Work outdoors in varied conditions.
• Knowledge of Native history and decolonization and/ or willingness to learn
• Training in First Aid/ CPR and AED use is an additional consideration
• Having a personal vehicle is highly recommended

This SCA Position is authorized under the Public Land Corps Authority. All participants must be between the ages of 16 and 30, inclusive, or veterans age 35 or younger. Participants must also be a citizen or national of the United States or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States. Hours served can be applied toward the Public Land Corps (PLC) hiring authority.

Hours 

• 40 per week

Living Accommodations 

The Forest will provide housing on-site at Porcupine Ranger Station (approx 5 miles from Medicine Wheel NHL). Primary housing will be a two-story barracks dwelling with five rooms (up to two people per room), two bathrooms (two showers, sinks, and toilet stalls each), one kitchen (two stoves, two microwaves, three refrigerators), laundry machines, and shared living space. This location is surrounded by forest and a creek right outside the housing, with scenery and wildlife to view from the comfort of the housing

Beds, kitchen appliances, utensils, and furniture are all provided. Staff will be required to bring their own bedding and towels/ toiletries

Cellphone and internet service is limited, and the closest grocery stores are approximately 45 minutes to an hour away. A vehicle is strongly encouraged, but historically, those without a vehicle can be accommodated

Additional cabins are available with similar amenities on a case-by-case basis

Compensation  

• Living allowance $432/week
• Housing provided
• $1,100 RT Travel Allowance
• Forest Service Uniform for work

All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes. 

Personal Vehicle Information

• Required

Additional Benefits 

• Defensive Driving Training
• First Aid/CPR
• Interpretive Skills
• AmeriCorps: Not Eligible

Equal Opportunity Statement 

The Student Conservation Association, Inc., is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The SCA strives to cultivate a work environment that encourages fairness, teamwork, and respect among all staff members and is committed to maintaining a work atmosphere where lifestyles may grow personally and professionally.