Individual Placement - Westwater Canyon Ranger

Position Summary 

The participants will live and work out of the Westwater Ranger Station where they will be part of the greater recreation ranger team, out of the Moab Field Office for the Bureau of Land Management(BLM). Westwater Ranger Station is a remote station that is roughly 45 mins to the nearest grocery store. Westwater Canyon is the first whitewater stretch on the Colorado River in Utah. The canyon is seventeen miles long and includes Class III and IV rapids. This section is challenging at all water levels and is only recommended for experience boaters. As with any remote river section, Westwater can be a very humbling and dangerous place if not treated with proper respect and ability. The ranger station and 12 site campground are located at the put-in. The participant may be the first contact with visitors/permittees and is there to provide them with education about the canyon and surrounding area. This is a great opportunity to learn about outdoor recreation and federal land management. You will work closely with land management professionals to learn about allocated permit systems and travel management planning. The main goal is to help keep people safe, protect the resource, and educate the public while representing the SCA/BLM in a positive and professional manner.

Schedule 

March 23, 2026 - September 4, 2026

Key Duties and Responsibilities 

• Completing compliance checks of permits and required gear for commercial/private rivertrips through Westwater Canyon.
• Assist in maintaining campsites and cleaning restroom facilities.
• Assisting the BLM river ranger in river patrols by way of raft through class 3-4 rapids.
• Educate the public on responsible recreation and environmental stewardship.
• Helping clean equipment and the ranger station.
• Interact with hundreds of people during the week and will help provide them in information about the Westwater Canyon and greater area.
• Monitoring of Westwater Canyon Wilderness Study Area by 4-wheel drive vehicle, foot, utv, and bicycle/motorcycle.
• Work in a fast-paced environment.
• May be required to perform heavy lifting, arduous labor in a harsh high desert environment.

Marginal Duties 

• Patrolling the greater Utah Rims and Dolores Triangle areas for resource damage via 4-wheel drive vehicle, foot, utv, and bicycle/motorcycle.
• Perform “upland” travel plan implementation work in the field by marking designated routes and closed routes and maintain the signing of these routes.
• Work with volunteer groups.
• Perform light trail maintenance.

Required Qualifications 

Driver’s License

Preferred Qualifications 

Whitewater rafting/kayaking experience; manual labor experience i.e., digging, lifting; outdoor camping/living experience; public speaking; organizational skills; GIS experience

Hours 

40 per week

Living Accommodations 

The Westwater Ranger Station is an office attached to a 4 bedroom dorm style living quarters. Each individual worker there will have their own room and share the common living space i.e., kitchen, bathroom, living room. The ranger station is roughly 45 mins from Grand Junction Colorado where you can find all amenities and roughly 1.5 hours from Moab, UT.

Compensation  

• Member living allowance of $450/week
• Relocation expense $1,100/once

All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes. 

Personal Vehicle Information

Required

Additional Benefits 

Defensive Drive Training

AmeriCorps: Ineligible

Equal Opportunity Statement 

The SCA strives to cultivate a work environment that encourages fairness, teamwork, and respect among all staff members. SCA is committed to maintaining a work atmosphere in which people may grow personally and professionally. The Student Conservation Association, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. 

 Physical requirements and working conditions specific to the position are available in the full job description. 

Salary : $450 - $1,100