Tonto National Forest Recreation Technician Crewmember

Title: Tonto National Forest Recreation Technician Crewmember (2 openings)

Start/End Date: March 24, 2024– September 19, 2024 (anticipated)

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

Term: 26 weeks

Reports To: Jordan Bohlen (Natural Resource Specialist)

Location: Cave Creek Ranger District (40202 N. Cave Creek Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85262)

Status: 900-hour AmeriCorps Service Term, full-time, temporary

Benefits: AmeriCorps Education Award of $3,247.50; Public Lands Corps Certificate*; both with successful completion of the service term. Health insurance eligible through The Corps Network

*To be eligible for a Public Lands Corps certificate, members must be between the ages of 18-30, inclusive, at the time the member begins their 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, Tucson, and Pinetop. 

Tonto National Forest:

At over 2.9 million acres, the Tonto National Forest is the largest national forest in Arizona, and the seventh largest national forest among 154 USDA National Forests.  The Tonto features some of the most rugged and inherently beautiful land in the country. Sonoran Desert cacti and flat lands slowly give way to the highlands of the Mogollon Rim. This variety in vegetation and range in altitude — from 1,300 to 7,900 feet — offers outstanding recreational opportunities throughout the year, whether it’s lake beaches or cool pine forest.

Position Summary:

The Cave Creek Ranger District of Tonto National Forest is seeking 2 temporary, full-time Recreation Technician Crewmembers. The primary focus of these positions will be assisting in maintaining developed and dispersed recreation sites, assisting in traffic control, and permit compliance throughout the year.  The crewmembers will be given opportunities to patrol OHV areas and backcountry wilderness, as well as assist the prevention team in the fall. In addition to helping maintain current program operations, the Crewmembers will help in the development of further OHV patrols on one of our other districts and expand an existing program on the Ranger District.

Essential Responsibilities and Functions:

• Work with supervisor and other Rec Techs to determine need for traffic control and check for compliance.
• Assist the public with questions about recreation sites, alternative sites, and overall forest information.
• Continually check on and maintain the facilities, including parking lots, bathrooms, and Forest Service equipment.
• Survey and inspect trails and roads. Sign, brush, and maintain where necessary in both developed and dispersed recreation areas.
• Patrol OHV areas, help develop new OHV patrol plans.
• Work with volunteers to complete various project work.
• Act as a representative of the Forest Service.

Required Skills:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Possess good communication skills.
• Interest in recreation, natural resources, or a related field.
• A self-starter that can easily work as a team or alone.
• Ability to communicate via radio while in the field.
• Demonstrate professionalism, both in demeanor and appearance.
• Applicants must pass a criminal history background check and possess a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record.
• Must hold a valid driver’s license.
• Must be 21, ORhave had driver’s license for at least 3 years if under 21.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 4×4 or off-road driving experience preferred.
• Previous experience with public lands agencies.
• Customer service skills as it pertains to interacting with the Public.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish.

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 and work in extreme weather/heat, uneven terrain, and poorly maintained roads and trails.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Participant Essential Eligibility Requirements:

Participation and Expedition Behavior:

• Work effectively as a member of a team despite potentially stressful and difficult conditions. This may require problem solving on an interpersonal or group level as well as a willingness to accept differences.
• Contribute to a safe learning environment, no harassment of others for any reason.
• Willingness and ability to complete all aspects of the program including conservation projects, education, training, and national service. Members must commit to participating in all agency/team activities, including service days in local communities where applicable.
• Effectively communicate ideas and concerns as they arise directly to supervisors, colleagues, and organization staff.
• Appropriately represent the Arizona Conservation Corps, Tonto National Forest, and AmeriCorps to the public and partners at all times.
• Learn and practice ‘Leave no Trace’ outdoor living techniques.

Safety and Judgment: 

• Effectively communicate danger to others in the form of either a warning of danger others may be encountering or a notification of personal distress, injury or need for 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 techniques to manage hazards.
• Stay alert and focused for several hours at a time while traveling and working in varied weather conditions.
• Respond appropriately to stress or crises.
• If taking prescriptions medications, participants must be able to maintain proper dosage by self-medicating without assistance from others.

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

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