Wilderness Trails Technician

Employer
American Conservation Experience
Job Description, Responsibilities and Required Qualifications or Skills

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with US Forest Service, is seeking Two Wilderness Trails Technician Members to contribute to the backcountry recreation project alongside Wenatchee River Ranger District Staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Start Date: June 1, 2026

Estimated End Date: September 18, 2026

*a 16 week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: Leavenworth, WA

The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest is one of the largest forests in Region 6, covering 3.8 million acres on the east slopes of the Cascade Range, with 5 ranger districts that span from the Canadian border to the Yakima River valley. There is a wide range of year-round recreation opportunities and 1.5 million acres of wilderness. The Forest is a leader in implementing a Forest restoration strategy that recognizes the role of fire adapted communities and wildlife and is involved in numerous interagency and collaborative efforts, state, county and federal. 

The Wenatchee River Ranger District comprises 700,000 acres with nearly one half in wilderness. There are three wildernesses; the Alpine Lakes, Henry M, Jackson and Glacier Peak, all of which hug the Cascade Crest. It is in the heart of world class mountains that receive heavy recreational use. 

For more information about the Wenatchee River Ranger District, please visit the USFS website.

Position Overview: Members in this position will assist Forest Service personnel with the maintenance of Wilderness, Frontcountry and Motorized Forest Service trails. Wilderness trail maintenance is primarily in a backcountry setting and requires a strong wilderness travel and backcountry camping skill set. Technicians will serve as members of a trails maintenance team, to maintain, repair, and build trails throughout the Forest Service unit to ensure protection of wildlife habitat and water quality in addition to improving recreational access to forest lands.

Field Work (~60%)

  • Technicians will build trails with gravel and associated materials, restores impacted areas, and replaces signage as needed.
  • Members will maintain Forest Service system trails to standard using tools such as crosscut saws, chainsaws, hand saws, axes, shovels, pulaskis, pick matics, rock bars, loppers, and other tools related to trail maintenance.
  • Travel will include camping in remote backcountry settings while backpacking. This will involve strenuous hikes (10-20 miles) to work sites. Work will be conducted in all kinds of weather, unless hazardous. The crew is often pack supported by stock at the start and end of the hitch.
  • Technicians will oversee routine maintenance of trails at dispersed recreation sites including cleanup and naturalizing.
  • Members may interact with forest visitors and when assigned, educate visitors on trail maintenance and cleanup, while explaining regulations concerning trail maintenance specific to the Wilderness Act

Field Preparation & Office Tasks (~40%)

  • Members will prepare construction materials, ensure proper tool maintenance, and report work completed.
  • Technicians may plan and implement the logistics of projects associated with trail maintenance and reconstruction projects. They may also perform trail log, condition, and prescription surveys.
  • Members may interact with forest visitors and when assigned, educate visitors on trail maintenance and cleanup, while explaining regulations concerning trail maintenance specific to the Wilderness Act

This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups.

Qualifications

Required:

  • Members must be authorized to work in the United States. ACE does not provide sponsorship for employment visas. 
  • Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner. 
  • Ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group.
  • A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request). Members must be 21+ to drive due to ACE's insurance and liability requirements.
  • Willing to undergo and must pass the required criminal history checks
  • Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
  • ACE Members will need to complete bi-weekly timesheets, beginning of term feedback forms, end of term evaluations and for longer terms, a mid-term evaluation. 
  • Member may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement. 
  • To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website.

Preferred:

  • Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a degree in a natural resources field and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as trails and ranching.
  • All candidates are encouraged to apply, though local candidates will be strongly considered. 
  • Knowledge of public lands and trail building.
  • Ability to communicate clearly and concisely with resource professionals while working in strenuous and varying outdoor conditions. 

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions: 

  • Physical Demands: Requires standing, walking, hiking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms. Manual dexterity required for use of various tools. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Ability to hike over rough terrain, and camp overnight under field conditions.
  • Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus. 
  • Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 50 lbs., ability to move up to 100 pounds.
  • Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
  • Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise such as gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools.
  • Travel: This position will require domestic travel throughout the forest. 

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE members may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland conditions, biting insects (hornets, flies), and potentially dangerous wildlife (rattlesnakes, bears, cougars). The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/members or resources. 

Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety: If a vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties, one will be provided by the USFS or ACE. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the USFS. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the USFS, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to USFS and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required. 

Job Field:
Parks, Recreation and Tourism
Job Type:
Seasonal, Temporary, Internship
Location Detail:
Leavenworth, WA
Salary:
Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $775/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly. The living allowance is a fixed rate determined by the US Forest Service and ACE and is not flexible.
Job Benefits:

This position is part of the Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement must meet the PLC Eligibility requirements to be considered for this position. Members may be eligible for a federal hiring authority upon completion of their term of service and 640 hours of service. If the duration of a PLC-eligible term is not long enough for Members to accrue 640 hours of service (~16 weeks), the total hours served at the completion of the term may be eligible to be combined with hours accrued from another PLC-eligible term to meet the 640 hours requirement. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age (You must be between the ages of 16 and 30. Some agencies also interpret these guidelines to include veterans up to age 35) and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general eligibility information on our website.

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE. However, housing may be available on site in a bunkhouse. The Lake Wenatchee compound is located 25 miles Northwest of the district office.

Relocation Assistance: ACE members will have access to up to $500 to be used for eligible relocation expenses. Further details regarding distribution of these funds will be provided during the interview process. 

Provided Training/Orientation: ACE members will receive position specific training and an orientation outlining ACE policies and procedures, clear guidance on prohibited activities, and networks for support. Specific training may include chainsaw and cross cut, First Aid, CPR, Leave-No-Trace, and policies & regulations for three different wildernesses with risk assessment

Application Deadline:
Link to Full Job Posting:
https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/1285461

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