Okanogan-Wenatchee NF – Community Engagement Resource Assistant

United States Forest Service – Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest

Community Engagement Resource Assistant – 1 Position – Wenatchee, WA

Please respond by APRIL 26, 2024

Delivering Benefits to a Multicultural Public – Resource Assistant Program

The Northwest Youth Corps (NYC) in partnership with the United States Forest Service (USFS) Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest is advertising for one (1) Community Engagement Resource Assistant (RA). The position will be located on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest in the Supervisor’s Office in Wenatchee, WA. This is an 8 month (34 week) full-time work experience from approximately July 2024 through February 2025. 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 candidates providing personnel and Human Resources HR needs during the placement.

The Position – 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.

Through a partnership with Northwest Youth Corps, the selected Resource Assistant will support the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest in community outreach and engagement for the Central Washington Initiative, a Wildfire Crisis Strategy landscape. The Central Washington Initiative is the forest’s all hands, all lands effort to implement the national Wildfire Crisis Strategy, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and Washington House Bill 1168 to promote resilient landscapes and resilient communities that are adapted to changing wildfire conditions. Through these efforts, we are scaling up wildfire risk reduction work and our work with communities to address the wildfire crisis. Community engagement work may include coordination with partners, tabling at community events, social media and web content development.

This is an immersive professional internship that requires strong written and oral communication skills and the ability to manage workload and training opportunities with the support of permanent staff. This position will perform work at the equivalent of a GS-7 position in the federal service. Visit https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/pay-systems/general-schedule/ for more information.

Position Requirements – 

• Strong oral and written communication skills. Preference will be given to candidates who have these skills in both Spanish and English.
• Some graphic design experience using Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator, Canva or similar programs is preferred, but not required.
• Ability to develop communication materials that present complex information in an approachable manner for a variety of audiences and platforms.
• Ability to work successfully with a team of communications and partnership staff and external partners to evaluate program needs, make recommendations, and develop outreach tools.
• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor’s or higher degree that included a major field of study in communications, environmental education, or natural resources. However, any degree will still be considered.
• Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and over 19 years old.
• Valid state driver’s license and ability to operate a motor vehicle by the time of employment. Government vehicles are available for work-related travel. RAs are responsible for travel to and from duty station.
• Successful completion of a background check.

Program Benefits –

• $20,400 living stipend, prorated monthly throughout 8-month internship
• $1,200 monthly housing allowance
• $2,750 reimbursable funds for work-related training and professional development opportunities
• $50 monthly commuter allowance
• 56 hours of available PTO
• Workers compensation, FICA/Medicare, and optional health care coverage (monthly premiums covered)
• RA will have special United States Forest Service Direct Hire Authority upon completion of a minimum of 960 hours of service

Position Responsibilities will include –

• Reviewing and compiling information on current wildfire related outreach and education programs hosted by the Forest Service and partners to identify needs and opportunities, develop recommendations, and improve coordination with partner sponsored outreach efforts.
• Coordinating and participating in community and youth outreach activities such as tabling at community events, supporting school programs, and similar opportunities.
• Outreaching to new audiences and underserved communities by ensuring that materials are accessible, translated into appropriate languages, and reach the appropriate audiences.
• Working with Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest employees and partners to gather stories and develop materials to increase awareness of wildfire ecology and preparedness and to share our Central Washington Initiative work with communities.
• Develop content and materials to be used on social media, the forest website, and as handouts or displays at outreach events.