Northwest Youth Corps –480 Hour

Individual Placement

U.S. Forest Service

Fremont-Winema National Forest

Klamath Falls Ranger District – Klamath Falls, Oregon

Position Title: Biological Technician Individual Placement (480 Hours)

Position Summary:

The Fremont-Winema National Forest is recruiting three 480-HR Biological Technician Individual Placements, beginning June 2026 through September 2026 (480 Hours, 12 weeks) to be located within the Klamath Ranger District. The members will work together and coordinate with Botany staff to survey, document, map, and treat noxious weed infestations. This position will typically work four ten-hour days per week (Monday through Thurs). Based upon qualifications, applicants may qualify for a Senior Level Crew Member position.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Field Surveying (30%): Duties may include inventorying, documenting, and mapping novel noxious weed and invasive plant populations, along with recording the spread of any pre-existing populations. Surveys will also identify any unique vulnerable habitats and assess how plant communities are recovering from disturbance.
• Noxious Weeds Treatment (60%): Duties may include treating small to medium noxious weed populations. Treatment methods will include manual removal.
• Data Tasks (10%): Duties may include summarizing field survey data using tablets, GIS applications, and paper survey forms.

Required Qualifications:

• Ages 18-30 (up to 35 for veterans)
• U.S. Citizen or lawful, permanent resident
• Must pass a background/driver check
• Must have a high school diploma or GED
• Driver's License
• Willingness to work as part of a small team and occasionally alone
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to lift and carry up to 30lbs and to perform manual treatments using hand tools
• Ability to work outdoors in remote settings and inclement weather on uneven ground

Desired Qualifications:

• Previous experience using GPS and GIS
• Noxious weed and plant identification skills
• Strong interest in resource management
• Personal transportation to duty station

Senior Crew Member Qualifications:

To qualify for the Senior Crew Member level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications before the 2026 field season begins in June:

Experience: At least one full year of directly applicable experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-04 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors. You must include hours per week worked on resume. -OR- Education: Successful completion of 4 years of education above the high school level for fields in Botany, Biology, Ecology, Agriculture, or other related fields for which high school graduation or the equivalent is the normal prerequisite. Education must have been obtained in an accredited technical school, junior college, college or university. One year of full-time academic study is defined as 30 semester hours, 45 quarter hours, or the equivalent in a college or university, or at least 20 hours of classroom instruction per week for approximately 36 weeks. You must include transcripts. (Unofficial transcripts are acceptable). -OR- Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. For example, I have 6 months of specialized experience (50% of the experience requirement), combined with three (3) years of college study (90 semester hours or 135 quarter hours). NOTE: Only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours (i.e., beyond the second year is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirement). One full academic year of study (30 semester hours) beyond the second year is equivalent to 6 months of specialized experience.

Duty Location:

Primary duties are performed within the Bly and Chiloquin Ranger Districts with occasional work in the Klamath Falls and Chemult Ranger Districts. Shared housing may be available at the Chiloquin Ranger District compound. The bunkhouses have a common kitchen and shared bedrooms.

Terms of Employment:

Individual Placements will complete a term of service (length dependent on commitment of hours), starting June 2026 through September 2026. The Individual Placement must complete a minimum of 480 service hours by the end of their term

Program Benefits:

$8,400 living allowance plus a housing fund of $1,200, for a total stipend of $9,600 dispersed across the 12-week term on a monthly basis. This position also includes a $600 reimbursement balance.

Senior Crew Member: $9,600 living allowance plus $1,200 for a stipend total of $10,800 dispersed across the 12-week term on a monthly basis. This position also includes a $600 reimbursement balance.

The living allowance is taxable. The member will receive training in CPR, First Aid, and defensive driving. Members are responsible for providing their own food. Service eligibility is contingent upon the results of a criminal and driving background check.

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Application Instructions

Application Deadline: April 15, 2026

Interviews: Will occur as qualified applications are received.

Type of position: Individual Placement

Service Dates: June 2026 – September 2026 (may be flexible to start May and end August if it fits school schedule)

Length of Term: 12 Weeks (minimum of 480 Hours)

How to apply:

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references and completely fill out the application form found at

https://nwyouthcorps.workbrightats.com/jobsearch/?job_board_classification=Internships

Please select "Fremont Winema National Forest - Biological Technician Individual Placement" when applying.

Additional Information

If you have questions about the position, please reach Northwest Youth Corps Internship Department interns@nwyouthcorps.org or Sandra Klepadlo at sandra.klepadlogirdner@usda.gov.