Anticipated Term: May 24 to October 14, 2021

The North Fork John Day Watershed Council seeks motivated women and men to fill a four-person wilderness trails crew to re-establish and improve the existing trails system in Eastern Oregon. The Technical Trail Crew will work to improve public access and safety on the wilderness trails system, as well as complete in-stream restoration and habitat conservation benefitting native fish and wildlife.

General Responsibilities

• Travel into wilderness areas and perform trail and habitat conservation projects using hand tools through 10-hour, four-day week hitches
• Live and work in the backcountry while following low-impact camping practices
• Work with the crew to complete recreation and habitat projects on public lands
• Perform wilderness trail maintenance and construction to USFS standards using crosscut saws and hand tools
• Use chainsaws/crosscut saws and hand tools to construct large woody structures for flood-plain restoration
• Use grip hoists or similar tools for maneuvering of felled trees and structures
• Repair/build riparian fence and plant protection exclosures
• Install native riparian plants on restoration projects
• Gather data on trails status, infrastructure status, campground use etc.
• Assist crew leader in gathering and recording all data
• Follow all safety policies and procedures
• Other duties as assigned

Position Requirements:

• Must have a valid driver’s license and clean driving record
• Must pass a criminal background check
• Ability to navigate rugged terrain, carrying a 40-60 pound backpack, hiking an average of 8 miles a day
• Self-sufficient in remote locations for extended periods of time
• Must have good verbal communication skills
• Work well in a team
• 18 years of age at beginning of employment term
• US. citizen, national or lawful permanent resident
• Ability to commit to the full term of employment

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous experience backcountry camping and hiking
• Experience in trail maintenance
• Experience in construction and related tools
• Experience handling powered equipment, such as chainsaws

Benefits:

• $14.50/hour
• $41.25 per diem, during overnight hitches
• Boot/gear stipend
• Trainings in:
  • Red Cross First Aid/AED/CPR course
  • Hands-on Wilderness First Aid overview
  • Epi-Pen administration
  • Trauma Informed Care
  • Crosscut use and maintenance
  • Trail Maintenance, consisting of: repairs to gulley erosion, constructing rock drains, & trail layout/design 101