Individual Placement - Recreation/Wilderness Ranger

Position Summary

The Forest Service is recruiting four Student Conservation Association individuals to work with the district's recreation staff as Wilderness Rangers in the Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area on the Huron-Manistee National Forest. This is a public facing, field-oriented position requiring interns to hike 5 miles per day or more through varied terrain including sand dunes with elevation changes. After receiving training on Wilderness Regulations, individuals will work alongside Forest Service employees and eventually as part of a 2- or 4-person team to support visitor use management, resource protection and recreation site maintenance. This work can, at times, be physically arduous. Individuals will likely encounter visitors in the Wilderness who are unclear about, or violating, forest regulations and should be prepared to educate these visitors on applicable laws and Leave No Trace principles. Interns will have the opportunity to gain skills in communicating and interacting with the public, conservation and management of a Congressionally designated Wilderness Area, Leave No Trace ethics and working within a district recreation program. Individuals may, when project work allows, have the opportunity to work with other Forest Service program areas. Day-to-day direction will be provided by the districts lead Wilderness Technician.

Schedule

May 12, 2025 - August 3, 2025

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Wilderness Ranger Primary Duties (60%): • Patrol the Wilderness Area on foot hiking up to 5 miles per day • Interacting and educating visitors • Identifying and recording Wilderness regulation violations • Survey data gathering using Survey123

Marginal Duties

Recreation Site/Trail Maintenance (20%): • Trailhead maintenance including trash removal and vault toilet cleaning • Trail clearing Environmental Stewardship (10%): • Complete project work as needed to maintain the wilderness character of Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area Support other District program areas (10%): • Potentially conduct project work alongside the Silviculture, Wildlife, Botany, Timber, Fire or Heritage program areas as projects allow. • Work with Public Affairs staff conducting outreach or educating the public on Forest Service responsibilities • Represent the Forest Service in parades, summer camps, open houses or other opportunities as they arise

Required Qualifications

Candidates will need to be motivated team-players, able to work with and educate forest visitors in a variety of settings, and capable of identifying and implementing environmental stewardship projects in ways that are consistent with the management of designated Wilderness Areas. This work will, at times, be physically arduous. Wilderness patrols will involve public interaction, data gathering on a tablet utilizing Survey123, trash removal, and trail clearing. Wilderness Rangers are expected to hike up to 5 miles per day and be comfortable in a public facing role representing SCA and the Huron-Manistee National Forest.

This SCA Position is authorized under the Public Land Corps Authority. All participants must be between the ages of 16 and 30, inclusive, or veterans age 35 or younger. Participants must also be a citizen or national of the United States or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States. Hours served can be applied toward the Public Land Corps (PLC) hiring authority.

Hours

40 per week

Living Accommodations

Housing can be provided in an on-site bunkhouse with kitchen and bathroom facilities in an adjacent building. Personal vehicle is recommended.

Compensation

$450/week Living Allowance; $1,100 Travel Allowance, paid once with first paycheck; Housing on-site

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

Personal Vehicle Information

Required

Additional Benefits

Interpretive Skills

AmeriCorps: Eligible/Optional

Equal Opportunity Statement

The Student Conservation Association, Inc., is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The SCA strives to cultivate a work environment that encourages fairness, teamwork, and respect among all staff members and is committed to maintaining a work atmosphere where lifestyles may grow personally and professionally.

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