American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, is seeking 3 Developed Recreation Team Members to contribute to various developed recreation projects alongside U.S. Forest Service Staff. The Developed Recreation Team will consist of 2 Developed Recreation Technicians and 1 Developed Recreation Lead Technician. 

For more information about ACE, please visit https://www.usaconservation.org/.

Developed Recreation Lead Technician

Start Date: May 18, 2026
Estimated End Date: October 2, 2026
*a 20 week minimum commitment is required *

Developed Recreation Technicians 

Start Date: June 1, 2026
Estimated End Date: September 18, 2026
*a 16 week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Naches Ranger District - 10237 Hwy. 12, Naches, WA 98937

The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest encompasses nearly 3.8 million acres along the east slopes of the Cascade Range in central Washington. The Forest encompasses a diverse area of sparkling rivers and lakes, deep canyons, and rugged mountains up to 10,541 feet in elevation. The Okanogan-Wenatchee NF produces a wealth of water resources, timber, wildlife, fish, minerals and outdoor recreation opportunities. Included within the district are the Goat Rocks, William O. Douglas and Norse Peak wilderness areas. The district is also home to White Pass Ski area and the Rimrock Lake, Bumping Lake, and Clear Lake Recreation areas. 

Naches Ranger Station, Naches, WA is located approximately 15 miles west on Hwy 12 from the nearest full-service community of Yakima, WA. There are minimal services such as gas and groceries at this site. Government housing is an additional 20 minutes west from the ranger station. Cell service and WiFi is limited at the housing location, please be prepared to live and work in this remote, mountain setting. Each member is responsible for quarters fees (rent). 

For more information about Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, please visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/okanogan-wenatchee.

Position Overview

Developed Recreation Technicians

The Recreation Technicians will assist Forest Service personnel with the operation and maintenance of US Forest Service developed recreation sites, including campgrounds, trailheads, day use areas, and dispersed recreation areas. Work activities will include recreation site cleaning, infrastructure construction and repair, vegetation management, maintaining information kiosks and providing visitor information.  

Developed Recreation Lead Technician

The Recreation Lead will perform many of the same duties, in addition to leading ACE members, assisting the program manager with scheduling, monitoring of contracted services such as vault pumping, trash removal, and portable toilet rentals, maintaining equipment, processing fees, and ensuring processes run smoothly. 

Duties may include: 

• Serve as a member of a recreation site maintenance team to maintain Forest Service campgrounds, trailheads, day-use recreation sites, and dispersed recreation sites
• Provide excellent visitor service by answering the public’s questions on nearby recreational attractions, rules and regulations, Leave No Trace best practices, and general interpretative information.
• Clean recreation sites, including outhouses, campsites, and trailheads
• Use tools such as loppers, weed whackers, and mowers to manage vegetation at recreation sites
• Use tools such as drills/drivers, staple guns, and other fasteners in install informational or regulatory signage at recreation sites
• Assist in the operation and maintenance of campground drinking water systems, including operating well pumps, taking water quality samples, and troubleshooting – under the supervision of experienced staff.
• With focused training and supervision, operate chainsaws to clear Forest Service recreation sites and access roads.
• Assist in the distribution and public communication of campfire restrictions when in effect.
• Encourage recreation site fee compliance through educational contacts and providing reminders to visitors. This is not an enforcement position.
• Other manual labor tasks in support of developed recreation sites including raking or leaf-blowing detritus from campsites or accessible trails, spreading gravel, shoveling, or similar physical tasks.
• Other duties as assigned may include tasks such as helping disseminate information regarding wildfires (closure maps, etc.), supporting projects requiring heavy equipment (excavator, etc), assisting in hazard tree surveys using mapping software on USFS provided tablets.

This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups.

Schedule: The schedule will likely be 4, 10 hour days but scheduling may be flexible according to project needs. 

Position Benefits

Developed Recreation Technicians

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $775/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly. The living allowance is a fixed rate determined by the U.S.F.S. and ACE and is not flexible.

Developed Recreation Lead Technician

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $860/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly. The living allowance is a fixed rate determined by the U.S.F.S. and ACE and is not flexible.

This position is part of the Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement must meet the PLC Eligibility requirements to be considered for this position. Members may be eligible for a federal hiring authority upon completion of their term of service and 640 hours of service. If the duration of a PLC-eligible term is not long enough for Members to accrue 640 hours of service (~16 weeks), the total hours served at the completion of the term may be eligible to be combined with hours accrued from another PLC-eligible term to meet the 640 hours requirement. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age (You must be between the ages of 16 and 30. Some agencies also interpret these guidelines to include veterans up to age 35) and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general eligibility information here https://www.usaconservation.org/epic-faqs/.

Housing: Housing is likely available at the USFS Chinook Pass Work Center bunkhouse. Rates may vary depending on housing assignment. 

Relocation Assistance: ACE members will have access to up to $500 to be used for eligible relocation expenses. Further details regarding distribution of these funds will be provided during the interview process. 

Gear Assistance: ACE members will have up to $200 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes boots and other items that the U.S.F.S has not provided and must be approved by ACE staff prior to purchase. 

Provided Training/Orientation: ACE members will receive position specific training and an orientation outlining ACE policies and procedures, clear guidance on prohibited activities, and networks for support. Specific training may include chainsaw operations, hazard tree surveys, and or drinking water system operation.

Qualifications 

Required:

• Members must be authorized to work in the United States. ACE does not provide sponsorship for employment visas. 
• Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner. 
• Ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group.
• A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request). Members must be 21+ to drive due to ACE’s insurance and liability requirements.
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required criminal history checks
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• ACE Members will need to complete bi-weekly timesheets, beginning of term feedback forms, end of term evaluations and for longer terms, a mid-term evaluation.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit https://www.usaconservation.org/epic-faqs/.
• Ability to commute to and from the work station independently.
• Ability to pass a basic written test and road test to obtain a US Government Motor Vehicle Operators Card. 

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a natural resource field and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as recreation management, landscaping, or natural resource management. 
• Prior work involving similar skills. Examples include maintenance work, construction or repair work, tool use, landscaping, as well as customer service work or other public-interfacing experience. Prior experience can be either professional, or personal, volunteer experience.
• Ability to take initiative, work independently and participate in collaborative team efforts.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely with other professionals and Forest visitors. 
• Ability to work outdoors in sometimes strenuous conditions. 
• Ability to drive Forest roads, including some days with a large duration in the work truck.
• Developed Recreation Lead Technician Position:
• Ability to lead others
• Willingness to train other ACE members
• Able to perform some administrative duties

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions: 

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, hiking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talking and hearing. Manual dexterity required for use of various tools, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Ability to hike over rough terrain and work in field conditions. 
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus. 
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 25 lbs., ability to move up to 50 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
• Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise such as gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools.
• Travel: This position may require domestic travel within the Naches Ranger District. 

Environmental Conditions/Hazards:  The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland conditions, burn scar worksites, biting insects, and potentially dangerous wildlife. The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/members or resources. 

Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety: If a vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties, one will be provided by the U.S.F.S. or ACE.  Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the U.S.F.S. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the U.S.F.S., will be mandatory for any activity that requires it.  Strict adherence to U.S.F.S. and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required.  

If you meet at least 70 percent of the qualifications, we want to hear from you!

ACE participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information when you are hired to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

EEO:  Employment or Service with ACE is based upon ability, qualifications, attitude, and job-related factors. Every qualified employee, member, or applicant has the same opportunity for recruitment, hire, training, transfer, promotion, compensation, demotion, termination, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, creed, national origin, pregnancy, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information, veteran or military status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, medical condition, marital or parental status, political affiliation, ethnicity, hair texture or style, arrest record, caste, hereditary status, endogamy, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, or federal law.