TITLE: LANDS AND RECREATION RESOURCE ASSISTANT-PRESCOTT NATIONAL FOREST (1 POSITION) 

START/END DATE: January 18, 2021 – July 16, 2021 (anticipated)

STIPEND: $569.80/week

TERM: 26 weeks

REPORTS TO: Christopher Welker (USFS Realty Specialist)

LOCATION: USFS Prescott Ranger Station (344 S. Cortez Street, Prescott, AZ 86303)

STATUS: 900-hour AmeriCorps Service Term

BENEFITS: AmeriCorps Education Award $3,097.50 after successful completion of the internship. Two-year certificate of noncompetitive hiring eligibility and Direct Hiring Authority (DHA) through the USFS Resource Assistant Program (RAP)*

POSITION SUMMARY:

Arizona Conservation Corps (AZCC) is partnering with Prescott National Forest to provide a 26-week paid, professional Resource Assistant opportunity that will work with the Forest’s Lands and Recreation Special Uses program. The Lands and Recreation Special Uses program oversees and administers a vast array of both recreation and non-recreation Special Use authorizations ranging from special events, weddings, family reunions, off-highway-vehicle (OHV) group events, outfitter and guide hunting/fishing activities, recreation cabins, etc., to utility and commodity related uses on National Forest System lands such as commercial and/or private communications sites and facilities, electric power transmission and distribution corridors, railroad rights-of-ways, high-pressure natural gas transmission pipelines, and private lands access easements.

The selected Resource Assistant (RA) will have the opportunity to cultivate their skillset within the Lands and Recreation Special Uses program by shadowing Forest Service staff, assisting the Forest with the processing and backlog of Special Use permits, assisting with expired Special Use authorizations, and conducting on-the-ground inspections of the facilities/improvements that the Special Use authorizations are issued for. These physical inspections will ensure that ongoing/routine/periodic upkeep and maintenance activities are not having any negative impacts to the Forest’s natural resources. The RA will also have additional opportunities to work with and/or shadow other Forest natural resource program areas such as Wildlife, Botany, Hydrology and Soils, Timber resources, Recreation management, Fire and Fuels management, Law Enforcement & Investigations, Engineering, Roads, Facilities, etc. No housing is available for this position.

All tasks will have COVID-19 mitigation strategies to reduce the spread in the local community. The intern must be willing to adhere to current CDC standards, in addition to USFS/Prescott National Forest and Conservation Legacy COVID-19 Policies and Procedures.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND FUNCTIONS:

• Assist with processing of backlogged Lands Special Uses casefiles and expired permits; enter applications into database.
• Perform field inspections of various authorized facilities and associated improvements.
• Update databases with Special Uses administration renewal/reissuance data.
• Perform queries and identify data in need of clean-up for permits that are expired or expiring; clean up data as required.
• Compile list of permits in need of renewal; gather all permit folders at Forest Supervisor’s Office.
• Research and scan necessary documents for permit authorizations.
• Work with specialists on questions, reports, and associated documentation.
• Prepare and send permit packages with associated documentation for final review and execution.
• Maintain, update, and provide documentation for administrative files for all authorizations.
• Perform other duties as assigned to gain exposure to the work of the USDA Forest Service.

Required Skills

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Ability to communicate clearly and interact with the public, user groups, and agency staff.
• General computer skills including Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to take initiative and work alone or in small groups with minimal supervision.
• Applicants must pass a criminal history background check and should possess a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Holding or currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college, university, or trade school.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills are highly desired.

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.
• The work requires walking and climbing in steep, uneven terrain, exposure to adverse weather and insects, performing physical labor. Work is performed outdoors where there is exposure to extremes of weather and temperature, in both established administrative areas and wilderness areas.
• Ability to remain adequately hydrated, fed, and properly dressed to remain generally healthy and safe, avoiding environmental injuries.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 PARTICIPATION AND EXPEDITION BEHAVIOR:

• Contribute to a safe learning environment; no harassment of others for any reason.
• Work effectively as a member of a team despite potentially stressful and difficult conditions.
• Willingness and ability to complete all aspects of the program.
• Appropriately represent AmeriCorps, Arizona Conservation Corps, and the U.S. Forest Service at all times, including properly wearing the agency uniform.

 SAFETY AND JUDGEMENT:

• Effectively communicate danger to others in the form of either a warning of dangers others may be encountering or a notification of personal distress, injury, or need of 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.
• Assigned duties will require the use of safety equipment such as tools, gloves, goggles, face cover and face shield, and hard hat.
• Effectively perceive, understand and follow direction by others so that you will be able to successfully execute appropriate and perhaps unfamiliar techniques to manage hazards. These directions may be given before the hazard is encountered or may need to be given during exposure to the hazard. Ability to respond appropriately to stress or crises that may arise.
• Stay alert and focused for several hours at a time while traveling and working in varied weather conditions.
• If taking prescription medications, participants must be able to maintain proper dosage by self-medicating without assistance from others.

ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS:

• Learn, practice, and communicate “Leave No Trace” techniques.

SUBSTANCE FREE:

• In accordance to a drug free workplace, alcohol and drugs are prohibited while participating in AmeriCorps and program activities and while on organization property.

*The USFS Resource Assistant Program (RAP) is a rigorous, immersive, paid internship providing developmental and training opportunities for individuals interested in learning more about Forest Service careers. After completing a minimum of 960 hours of satisfactory work and an associate degree, RA’s may acquire a two-year certificate of noncompetitive hiring eligibility. The certificate enables participants to apply to internal merit announcements for qualifying permanent General Schedule FS positions.   

TO APPLY:  Please submit an updated resume and cover letter and three professional references along with the online application. If you have questions, contact AZCC’s Individual Placement Support Coordinator Preston Sands at psands@conservationlegacy.org.

For more information on the USFS Prescott National Forest, please visit their website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/prescott.

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

Required Experience

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Ability to communicate clearly and interact with the public, user groups, and agency staff.
• General computer skills including Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to take initiative and work alone or in small groups with minimal supervision.
• Applicants must pass a criminal history background check and should possess a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Holding or currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college, university, or trade school.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills are highly desired.

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.
• The work requires walking and climbing in steep, uneven terrain, exposure to adverse weather and insects, performing physical labor. Work is performed outdoors where there is exposure to extremes of weather and temperature, in both established administrative areas and wilderness areas.
• Ability to remain adequately hydrated, fed, and properly dressed to remain generally healthy and safe, avoiding environmental injuries.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 PARTICIPATION AND EXPEDITION BEHAVIOR:

• Contribute to a safe learning environment; no harassment of others for any reason.
• Work effectively as a member of a team despite potentially stressful and difficult conditions.
• Willingness and ability to complete all aspects of the program.
• Appropriately represent AmeriCorps, Arizona Conservation Corps, and the U.S. Forest Service at all times, including properly wearing the agency uniform.

 SAFETY AND JUDGEMENT:

• Effectively communicate danger to others in the form of either a warning of dangers others may be encountering or a notification of personal distress, injury, or need of 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.
• Assigned duties will require the use of safety equipment such as tools, gloves, goggles, face cover and face shield, and hard hat.
• Effectively perceive, understand and follow direction by others so that you will be able to successfully execute appropriate and perhaps unfamiliar techniques to manage hazards. These directions may be given before the hazard is encountered or may need to be given during exposure to the hazard. Ability to respond appropriately to stress or crises that may arise.
• Stay alert and focused for several hours at a time while traveling and working in varied weather conditions.
• If taking prescription medications, participants must be able to maintain proper dosage by self-medicating without assistance from others.

ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS:

• Learn, practice, and communicate “Leave No Trace” techniques.

SUBSTANCE FREE:

• In accordance to a drug free workplace, alcohol and drugs are prohibited while participating in AmeriCorps and program activities and while on organization property.

*The USFS Resource Assistant Program (RAP) is a rigorous, immersive, paid internship providing developmental and training opportunities for individuals interested in learning more about Forest Service careers. After completing a minimum of 960 hours of satisfactory work and an associate degree, RA’s may acquire a two-year certificate of noncompetitive hiring eligibility. The certificate enables participants to apply to internal merit announcements for qualifying permanent General Schedule FS positions.   

TO APPLY:  Please submit an updated resume and cover letter and three professional references along with the online application. If you have questions, contact AZCC’s Individual Placement Support Coordinator Preston Sands at psands@conservationlegacy.org.

For more information on the USFS Prescott National Forest, please visit their website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/prescott.

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