Backcountry Trail Crew Member – Paid Internship

Position Summary:

The North Cascade National Park is recruiting (2) Trail Crew Interns to provide recreation and natural resource management assistance from May – October 2017. North Cascades National Park is the largest of the three National Park Service units North Cascades National Park, Lake Chelan National Recreation Area and Ross Lake National Recreation Area which comprise the North Cascades National Park Service Complex. Several national wilderness areas and British Columbia parkland adjoin North Cascades. The selected interns will work shoulder to shoulder with the Parks professional trails staff to complete annual trail maintenance and construction on portions of a 360 mile trail system, which includes the maintenance of 100 backcountry camps. Interns will have an opportunity to meet and learn from a variety of park employees representing almost all park programs.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The Trail Crew Interns will be exposed to a summer full of hard work, challenging physical labor, and the endless beauty of North Cascades National Park. This is a backcountry position requiring the intern to hike and camp for up to seven nights at a time for the majority of the internship (60 – 70 nights total). You will be part of a dedicated trail crew brushing and maintaining backcountry trails, constructing bridges and other trail structures, and assisting the packer with animal caretaking and/or packing duties such as pasture and barn maintenance. Additional opportunities include historical preservation projects, assisting with boat or helicopter operations, and provide Sherpa support for park crews.

Major duties are related to learning and working alongside personnel in recreation and natural resource management at North Cascade National Park. Seventy percent of the work will consist of routine annual trail maintenance, opening, tread/drainage, and brushing; 15% of the work will be ‘”project work” (i.e. small bridge replacement and short relocations); and 15% of the work will consist of pasture and coral maintenance, making up loads, “wrangler”, and being a packer’s assistant on longer, more demanding trips. The interns may have opportunities to work on historic preservation projects as well.

Required Qualifications:

• Ability to work outdoors in remote settings and inclement weather on uneven ground
• Willingness to learn and work as part of a team in an outdoor setting
• Strong work ethic and positive attitude
• Good verbal communications skills are essential, ability to too follow oral instructions
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs or more
• Willingness to submit to a government background survey
• Current driver’s license and clean driving record
• Ability to safely use hand tools

Desired Qualifications:

• Interest in trail work and natural resources.
• Knowledge of parks and recreation management.
• Excited and committed to mentally and physically challenging days in an outdoor setting with others.

Duty location:

Intern will report to the North Cascades National Park Service Complex, 7280 Ranger Station Rd. Marblemount, WA 98267. Intern must arrange their own transportation to and from the office.

Terms of Employment :

Two AmeriCorps members will complete a term of service (length dependent on commitment of hours), starting May 15, 2017. Time commitment is a minimum of 900 hours by mid-October 2017.

Program Benefits :

$6,750 total living allowance and a $2,887.50 education award upon completion of the 900 hours of service and/or position requirements per intern. The living allowance and education award are taxable. Members are responsible for providing food; housing will be provided. Service eligibility is contingent upon the results of a criminal and driving background check.

Job Type: Internship

Salary: $1,125.00 /month

Required license or certification:

• o Current driver’s license and clean driving record