Position Title: USDA Forest Service Backcountry Recreation Trails Technician

Conservation Legacy Program: Southwest Conservation Corps - Four Corners, Durango

Site Location: San Juan National Forest Pagosa Ranger District, 180 Pagosa St. Pagosa Springs, CO 81147

Terms of Service:

• Start Date: 05/04/2026
• End Date: 09/04/2026
• AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 675 Hours

Purpose:

This AmeriCorps program partners with the USDA Forest Service staff at local field offices throughout southern Colorado. This AmeriCorps position is under direct mentorship and technical guidance of the Pagosa Ranger District Forest Service office with additional management, support, and administration from Southwest Conservation Corps. The USDA Forest Service has an overall mission of “Caring for the Land Serving People.” The San Jaun National Forest encompasses about 1.8 million acres in the beautiful southwest corner of Colorado. From high-desert mesas to alpine peaks, these lands are managed for multiple uses. The Pagosa Ranger District manages 585, 770 acres of the San Juan National Forest across several counties. The Recreation Program provides a variety of recreation opportunities in the forest, while supporting locals and visitors in exploring and enjoying their public lands in a safe and respectful way.

This AmeriCorps position will be integrated alongside the Forest Service Recreation staff and will be part of the backcountry trail crew, completing four day hitches each week. The Individual Placement (IP) will complete trail maintenance projects in a variety of areas including local district trails as well as Chimney Rock National Monument. Over 200 miles will be positively impacted through these efforts. While completing essential trail clearing and infrastructure tasks the crew will also provide an on-the-ground presence in the landscape and ensure locals and visitors alike are following Forest Service rules and regulations. This will include completing site inspections, make public contacts and educate forest visitors on Leave No Trace ethics. The goal is to foster quality recreational opportunities for diverse groups of users in the forest, while also responsibly managing overall impacts caused by the recreational use of the public over time. These trail systems provide great opportunities for locals and visitors to spend time in nature. The IP will also be exposed to different tracks in this career field and will have the opportunity to network and cross train with other programs that they are interested in for example Wildland Firefighting, Timer, and Wildlife Management.

Description of Duties:

• Weekly public contact in recreation areas
• Complete site inspections, answer visitor questions and educated visitors on Leave No Trace ethics for recreation
• Complete four-day backcountry hitches carrying all gear and food
• Perform trail maintenance projects that follow policies and protocols in alignment with the Forest Service standards and expectations
• Utilize trail maintenance tools such as chainsaws, crosscut saws, axes, pulaskis, shovels, etc. to complete trail maintenance projects in remote environments, strenuous terrain and challenging weather conditions
• Restore downed and broken trail and informational signs
• Perform backcountry trail projects with a crew
• Special use permitting and recreation planning with Recreation staff
• Utilize Natural Resource Manager (NRM) Data system to create and process billings, record and enter site inspection data, track site inspections, and permit statuses

Potential Environmental/Human Risks:

• Slips, trips, falls with uneven remote, high elevation terrain that can change rapidly and become inclement weather
• Hiking for long distances with heavy packs
• Wildlife encounters
• Operation of motorized equipment

Qualifications:

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident
• At least 17 years of age
• Has received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate; or has not dropped out of elementary or secondary school to enroll as an AmeriCorps participant, and agrees to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent prior to using the education award
• Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check.
• Valid U.S. Driver's License for at least three years
• Per grant funding, candidate must be 18-30 years of age, up to 35 years if veteran status

Preferred Qualifications:

• General interest in the Forest Service, Natural Resources, Leave No Trace ethics, and Conservation
• Experience working in a team environment in remote wilderness areas
• Strong communicators, safety awareness, and high level of professionalism
• Ability and desire to hike long distances and camp in backcountry settings while completing very physically demanding trail projects
• Previous trails work related experience or experience in related land management field such and landscaping, construction, outdoor education or recreation

Our Commitment:

Conservation Legacy is committed to the full consideration of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential job functions. Physical requirements may include periodic overnight travel, non-traditional work hours, ability to move across varied terrain, use program-specific tools and a range of technology on an infrequent or frequent basis. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. The ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.

Time Requirements:

• Typically, this position is expected to serve on a four tens schedule Monday through Thursday, but exact service schedules may vary and are subject to change at any time. A half hour lunch break will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service
• Member may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term.

Orientation and Training:

• Member will receive an in-depth orientation provided by Southwest Conservation Corps that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.
• Partner will provide appropriate orientation and training(s) for field activities including Developing Thinking Sawyers Chainsaw and crosscut certification, job hazard analysis, risk management, vehicle operations, and wildfire awareness

Benefits:

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $2, 817.14
• Living Allowance of $600 per week, distributed on a bi-weekly basis
• Additional Benefit of $175 per week, distributed on a bi-weekly basis
• Healthcare Coverage if Eligible
• Childcare Coverage if Eligible
• Loan forbearance if Eligible
• Interest Payments if Eligible
• Professional development opportunities with SCC and the Forest Service
• Two SCC field shirts
• Camping gear provided for backcountry hitches
• Forest Service bunkhouse will likely be available for off hitch time with nightly rate of $6.37 - $8.37/night, paid to the Forest Service monthly

Evaluation and Reporting:

As an AmeriCorps member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed the required number of hours, the member has satisfactorily completed assignments, and if the member has met other performance criteria that were clearly communicated at the beginning of the term of service.

Reporting requirements include, but are not limited to, bi-weekly timesheets and accomplishment tracking.

Supervisor Name and Contact Information:

Individual Placement Program Manager: Niki Antonio (she/her)

Contact Information: nantonio@conservationlegacy.org

Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodations due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.