Wilderness Steward Intern

One Wilderness Steward position will be stationed in full support of ABWF volunteer stewardship projects and one will be stationed with the Beartooth Ranger District in Red Lodge, Montana.

Each position will include backcountry hitches as long as 9 days at a time, requiring hikes with heavy packs and hand tools as many as 12 to 20 miles a day. On a daily basis, Interns will perform:

• Manual labor on a variety of wilderness stewardship projects including trail maintenance, site restoration, and weed eradication.
• Visitor contacts and outreach work including education on wilderness ethics and regulations, and collecting visitor use monitoring data.
• Logistical support of and participation in ABWF educational events and volunteer trail projects.
• Positive representation of the USFS and ABWF to a wide variety of wilderness visitors, volunteers, and community partners.

Qualified Candidates will have the…

• Ability to do rigorous manual labor effectively and cheerfully outdoors in a high elevation, mountain environment, in weather conditions ranging from cold wet snow to hot dry sun. Backcountry hitches will require up to 9 days living and working in remote backcountry conditions with no modern facilities or conveniences. This is physically demanding work.
• Ability to live, work, and communicate as a team member with USFS crews (5-6 trail crew professionals) and ABWF crews (5-7 volunteers plus ABWF staff). The Stewards must also work cooperatively with other ABWF and USFS staff including wilderness rangers, district rangers, trail crew supervisors, and to work as  independent, self-starters.
• Wilderness experience – applicants MUST have previous experience backpacking in remote environments, including experience planning, packing, and cooking for themselves on multiday overnight backcountry trips; navigating on and off trail; and hiking as much as 12+ miles a day in high elevation mountain terrain. They should also have much of their own backpacking equipment (hiking boots, sleeping bag, tent, etc. –  equipment like trail work tools and bear spray will be  provided)
• Ability to work with a variety of trail maintenance hand tools, including crosscut saws,
  pick/adze, Pulaski, rock bar, shovel, and rake. Experience in construction, cleaning stalls, farming, sports, etc. are a plus!
• Desire to develop skills as and an understanding of what it means to be a professional conservationist.
• A passion and appreciation for Wilderness and its many values that they are excited to share with other wilderness visitors.
• Up to date CPR and First Aid Certification.

Preferred candidates will have…
Previous trail crew experience; experience in manual labor, backcountry data collection, or playing team sports; Wilderness First Responder Certifications; Ability to commit to the entire (ABWF Projects appointment) or partial (Beartooth RD appointment)  season.

In addition to developing skills and experience, Wilderness Steward Interns will receive a $1,200 to $1,700/month stipend and shared housing at USFS bunkhouses  (which include a mix of shared and individual rooms, shower facilities, and shared kitchens and living areas).