Natural Resource Assistant – Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest

Position Title: Natural Resource Assistant 

Position Service Site:  Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest West Zone

Service Time: May 28 – August 16, 2024    (450 hours total, 40 Hours/Week)

Benefits: Living stipend total for whole term = $6,000 ($500 per week) Education Award of approximately $1,900 upon successful completion of service. To find out more about the Award: https://americorps.gov/members-volunteers/segal-americorps-education-award/find-out-more

Housing may be available.

Requirements: Valid Driver’s license

LOCATION OVERVIEW: The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest is located in Wisconsin’s “Northwoods,” covering over a million and a half acres of forested lands in the north central section of the “Badger” state. The Forest stretches across northern Wisconsin and provides the scenic and economic foundation for the Northwoods communities. Glacier-carved hills and lowlands, extensive hardwood forests, and diverse wetlands create topographic and vegetative diversity across the Forest. With more than 2,000 lakes and 2,000 miles of rivers and streams, the Forest is a destination for water-based recreation. Wildlife is abundant on the Forest and visitors are able to hunt large and small game in an unconfined setting.

SERVICE DESCRIPTION: Chequamegon-Nicolet’s West Zone Natural Resource Assistant will perform a variety of work in support of the recreation program based in Hayward, WI. The Natural Resource Assistant will assist Forest Service staff with maintenance and upkeep of multiple campgrounds, trailheads/trails, day use areas, and dispersed campsites throughout the CNNF’s West Zone Rec program which includes the Great Divide Ranger District, Washburn Ranger District, and Medford-Park Falls Ranger Districts. Natural Resource Assistants will also work with and support a variety of the Forest’s programs including trails, non-native invasive species, silviculture, wildlife and fuels on the Great Divide District of Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest as part of a UW extension crew based out of Hayward.

The Natural Resource Assistant will be trained/certified in:

• Chainsaw certification
• First Aid and CPR
• ATV/UTV certification
• Defensive Driving
• Trailer Towing
• Radio/SPOT device
• Avenza

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Monitor condition and use of trails, perform maintenance to standards, and report issues
• Monitor West Zone Campgrounds, Day Use Areas, and other recreation use areas and report and correct safety issues
• Assist visitors by providing with information about specific recreation opportunities and activities, such as those at specific sites
• Inform visitors of rules and/or regulations
• Monitor wilderness area for use, maintenance needs and report issues
• Conduct site monitoring visits for compliance with recreation area rules and regulations of parking, campfires, sanitation, use of camping sites. Reports violations to mentor
• Member uses initiative in carrying out recurring assignments independently.  Detailed instructions are provided for new assignments.  Unfamiliar situations or technical deviations from established practices are referred to mentor for guidance or resolution
• Perform and monitor day-to-day recreation maintenance, clean-up, and simple construction projects for sites, reporting issues. Day to day maintenance includes:
• Mowing, trimming, and debris pick-up
• Cleaning and maintaining fire rings, campsites, bathrooms, beaches, and other facilities
• Assisting with posting camping reservations and assisting public with questions related to camping and recreation opportunities on the district
• Assisting Campground hosts

HOUSING: If housing is available, Members should be prepared to live in communal housing with other members of the program/organization/agency. Members should expect to have roommates, and must inform staff of any housing preferences or required accommodations.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum age requirement is 18 years old
• Ability to work independently
• Excellent communication skills
• Understanding of or willingness to learn various conservation practices
• Passionate about outdoor recreation
• Possess a valid driver’s license
• Physical demands and service environment regularly requires the service member to be outdoors in wooded areas and on uneven natural paths
• Physically able to work long days outside in inclement weather, hike on and off trail
• Able to carry up to 50 pounds of equipment
• Work in a variety of weather conditions such as temperatures ranging from below freezing to over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, high winds, intense, sunshine, rain, and snow
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation
• Ability to multitask and shift schedule and priorities to meet changing conditions
• Upon hire, a criminal background check will be conducted. Service with WisCorps will be considered probationary until all results are returned and have been reviewed

WisCorps provides equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran per applicable federal, state, and local laws. We are committed to assuring equal employment opportunity and equal access to services, programs, and activities for persons with disabilities. If you have a disability, and need to access information in an alternative format, or need it translated into another language, please contact us at 608-782-2494, by email at staff@wiscorps.org or Wisconsin Relay 711.