Position: Assistant Recreation and Lands Staff Officer
Duration: 8 Month Fellowship (32 weeks) Starting Winter 2023
Location: El Rito Ranger District, Carson National Forest, St. Rd 554 Building 1221, El Rito NM 87530
Fellowship Description:
The Resource Assistant will work throughout the West Zone of the Carson National Forest. Their assigned duty station will be the El Rito Ranger District office in El Rito NM. Northern New Mexico and especially the West Zone of the forest is rural in nature and offers numerous opportunities for outdoor recreation. The West Zone Recreation and Lands program of the Carson National Forest needs additional support in-line with the Sustainable Recreation model for the Carson, and assistance with management of a busy and varied special uses program that includes outfitter/guides and lands special uses.
Brief Description of Duties:
The recreation and lands program workload on the forest includes recreation and lands special uses support, land conveyances and acquisitions, wilderness, and wild and scenic river management, developed and dispersed recreation management, and trail oversight for both the forest wide and Continental Divide Trail (CDT) programs.
The Resource Assistant will fill a crucial position in the West Zone’s recreation and lands program and serve as the lead for the special uses outfitter/guide program and as well as the volunteer/partnership program for projects on the CDT, and the Cruces Basin wilderness. Additional duties include leading out for maintenance and development of trails throughout the West Zone and the interpretation of trails and the surrounding landscape via signage development and conservation education programs for kids and adults. The Resource Assistant will also help with a) management of developed recreation sites throughout the West Zone, and b) development, implementation, and oversight of four major Great American Outdoors Act projects on the West Zone.
Developed/Dispersed Recreation/Special Uses/Wilderness

Travel? The RA will have the opportunity to collaborate with FS staff and to travel to various project sites in the course of their work. A valid driver’s license is required for this position.
Fellows will work and communicate with a HAF Program Manager during their fellowship. Fellows will be expected to participate in scheduled conference calls, webinars, and meetings conducted throughout their term. Fellows will capture photos and/or videos for reporting purposes and submit 3 blog posts highlighting their experience and development.
Special or Preferred skills:

• Must be capable of working independently and as part of a team, in an office setting and outside in all weather conditions (high elevation, heat, cold, rain, snow)
• Must be capable of working in the outdoors in rural and remote locations, including occasional camping overnight to support recreation enhancement projects.
• Is good at networking and creating partnerships.
• Is proficient in and enjoys writing and communicating clearly.
• Has excellent customer service skills.
• Has GPS/GIS skills for data collection and map creation.
• Has the ability to manage multiple projects and adhere to specific deadlines.
• Has successfully supervised others in the past

• Ages 18 and up
• Available to work full-time (40 hours per week) for 32 weeks/8 months.
• Starting September 21, 2020
• Driver’s license required.
• RA will be required to drive a government vehicle.
• 3rd or 4th year undergraduate student, recent grads, or young professionals
• Minimum: completed 2 years at accredited university or earned an Associate’s degree or higher
• Minimum and/or desired level of academic credentials: Associates, Bachelor's or Master's degree in the following:
• Recreation Programming; Social Science; Public Relations; Business Management; Outdoor Education; but open to a variety of degrees from accredited universities AND recent grads with strong verbal and writing skills.
• US citizenship or permanent residency. Interns must undergo a government background check if selected.
• Bilingual in Spanish preferred but not required.

• $650 weekly pay stipend based on a 40-hour workweek*
• $1,000 monthly housing stipend
• $50 monthly commuting stipend (if in-person)
• Option for health insurance coverage during full term
• Up to $2,750 available for Forest Service work travel, orientation, trainings, professional development opportunities that align with RA role and goals.
• Direct Hire Authority Eligibility – after completing a minimum of 960 hours, DHA status provides special non-competitive hiring status when applying for Forest Service positions.