Independent Placement Program - Field Ranger Position

Position Summary

The corps member would help support operations at the Kane Gulch Ranger Station and patrols within the remote and beautiful Cedar Mesa area. The project goals include providing safety and resource information to visitors, monitoring within Cedar Mesa and completing other resource protection activities. The corps member would be independent but would also work with our team of volunteers and rangers.

Schedule

April 7, 2025 - June 9, 2025

Key Duties and Responsibilities

The intern would be responsible for assisting with the day-to-day operations of the Kane Gulch Ranger Station (KGRS) and resource monitoring patrols within Cedar Mesa and the surrounding area. Cedar Mesa is one of the most archeologically dense areas in the continental United States and is located in the heart of Bears Ears National Monument. KGRS is a small, remote station serving Cedar Mesa, located approximately 30 minutes from Blanding, Utah, and 15 minutes from the Natural Bridges National Monument Visitor Center. The Station is open on a seasonal basis (March through June and September through October) Thursday to Saturday from 8:00 AM until noon. In addition to Park Rangers and interns, the Ranger Station is staffed by a cadre of volunteers, many of whom have worked at KGRS for several years. The station is on well water and has limited internet connectivity and cell phone coverage. The intern's daily work would be split between staffing KGRS, backcountry patrols, and light facility maintenance.

KGRS Staffing (35%) – The intern would be responsible for representing the BLM while interacting with visitors, educating them about LNT and Visit With Respect principals, assisting visitors with purchasing permits on Recreation.gov (no cash handling), and performing routine tasks such as opening and closing the Station. Due to the sensitive nature of cultural sites at and around Cedar Mesa, the applicant must demonstrate good judgement in sharing information with visitors to protect resources and promote visitor safety. The applicant should be able to stand behind a counter for several hours, use a computer or tablet to perform basic search and data entry tasks, must work well in a team, and be able and willing to talk with up to 150 visitors from diverse backgrounds each day. In this role, the intern would often be supported by BLM staff or long-term volunteers but may occasionally be responsible for running the station alone.

Backcountry Patrols (30%) – The intern would patrol backcountry trails to monitor for wilderness characteristics and archeological site integrity. While some of these patrols may be done in conjunction with other staff, the applicant should be comfortable patrolling alone in a vehicle or on foot. Patrols may involve driving a 4x4 vehicle, walking distances of up to 15 miles per day, communicating with visitors in the field, regularly using communication devices such as radios or in-reach for check-ins, carrying a pack up to 25 pounds, bending, lifting, and occasional non-technical scrambling. The applicant must be able to use technology such at GIS and photo systems on tablets to document findings for each patrol. It is anticipated patrols would be day use only – no overnight patrols.

Maintenance (25%) – The intern will assist with routine maintenance at Front Country and backcountry sites. This may include installing signs, painting posts, swapping out kiosk materials, light trail brushing, weeding, spot-cleaning and stocking of toilet facilities between regular cleanings, assisting fee collection officers with swapping fee tubes at remote sites, and other tasks as assigned. The applicant must be able to use hand and power tools, as well as safely handle common household paints and cleaners.

Administrative Tasks (10%) – The intern will assist Park Rangers and Outdoor Recreation staff with permit paperwork, making and distributing photocopies of handouts and register sheets, communicating with SCA regarding timesheets and additional administrative tasks as needed.

Required Qualifications

US driver's license; experience in remote outdoor settings; self-motivated and ability to work independently; interest in the outdoors; customer service experience

Preferred Qualifications

Degree in recreation management, natural resources, environmental science or similar; Experience working with indigenous communities; Experience in the region

Hours

40 per week

Living Accommodations

There is housing available at the remote Kane Gulch Ranger Station. The station has well water, solar power and is off grid. There is no cellphone connectivity, but internet connectivity at the station (may not extend to the housing area).

Compensation

Living allowance - $500/week Travel/Relocation allowance - $1,100/one time

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

Personal Vehicle Information

Required

Additional Benefits

Defensive Drive Training

Interpretive Skills

Off-Road Vehicle Safety

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.