Northwest Youth Corps- 1040 HR

Individual Placement (2 Positions Available)

U.S. Forest Service - Mt. Hood National Forest

East Zone: Barlow & Hood River Ranger Districts

Parkdale, OR

Position Title: Recreation Assistant Individual Placement – 1040 HR (26 weeks)

Position Summary: The Mt. Hood National, East Zone recreation program is recruiting for two, 1040-Hour (26 week) Recreation Assistant Individual Placements beginning April/May 2026 through October/November 2026. The Individual Placements will become immersed in a bustling recreation program on the beautiful Mt. Hood National Forest. The incumbents will typically work four ten-hour days per week. Some routine weekend work will be required.

Duties and Responsibilities: Duties include working alongside, and independently of, Forest Service employees, conducting trail scouting, maintenance, and improvements using saws and hand tools (75%), as well as assisting in the operation and maintenance of campgrounds, trailheads, and fire lookout rentals (25%). This work may require working in hot, cold, wet, or snowy conditions. Projects will include using power tools such as chainsaws (if training can be completed) and hand tools including hand saws, loppers, power drills, and other similar tools to complete small carpentry and maintenance projects throughout the East Zone of the Mt. Hood National Forest. All required tools and training will be provided by the Forest Service. Training opportunities may include chainsaw operations, crosscut saw, ATV, UTV, cross-country skiing, wildland firefighter coursework, and more.

Required Qualifications:

• U.S. Citizen or lawful, permanent resident
• Must pass a background/driver check
• Must have a high school diploma or GED
• Ages 18-30 (up to 35 for veterans)
• Willingness to work as part of a small team
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Recreation site or trail maintenance experience or a willingness to learn
• Experience or interest in recreating outdoors in the backcountry
• A positive attitude
• Current driver's license
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to work outdoors in remote settings and inclement weather on uneven ground
• Ability to hike 4-8 miles in a day in rugged country.

Desired Qualifications:

• Attention to detail
• Physically fit for long days of hard work
• Experience with hand tools and basic carpentry
• Coursework in recreation management, forestry, natural resources or related field
• A strong interest in resource management
• Personal transportation

Duty/Housing Location: Duties are performed on the East Zone of the Mt. Hood National Forest and based out of Parkdale, OR on the Hood River Ranger District. Parkdale is a small community of about 300 individuals and includes a grocery store, gas station, brewery, hardware store, multiple restaurants, and a laundromat. Parkdale sits near the base of Mt. Hood, Oregon's tallest mountain at over 11,200 feet. Summer recreation opportunities abound, with easy access to world class hiking, mountain biking, fishing, hunting, camping, paddling, windsurfing, and kiteboarding nearby in the summer months. Hood River, OR is located 20 minutes to the north and features a full-service community of over 7,000 people in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.

Government-owned apartment-style housing may be available during the term of this position. A four-unit apartment complex is located at the Parkdale Work Center, a Forest Service facility in Parkdale, OR. The Individual Placements will start their workday at this location most days.

Terms of Employment: Both Individual Placements will complete a term of service (26 weeks) starting late April/May 2026 through October/November 2026. Individual Placements must complete a minimum of 1040 service hours by the end of their term.

Program Benefits: $16,380 living allowance along with a $6,503 housing allowance and a $1,389.53 commuting fund for a total combined stipend of $24,272.83 dispersed monthly. Health care coverage is offered to this position. Additionally, the position includes a $500 gear reimbursement that may be used for supervisor approved position role relevant gear purchases. Workers' compensation, and FICA/Medicare are made available to the member(s).

Members are responsible for providing their own food. Service eligibility is contingent upon the results of a criminal and driving background check.

Application Instructions

Application Deadline: Until filled

Interviews: Will occur as qualified applications are received

Type of position: Individual Placement

Service Dates: April/May 2026 – October/November 2026 (flexible within these parameters)

Length of Term: 1040 Hours (26 Weeks)

To Apply: Please submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for one professional references and completely fill out the application form found at: https://nwyouthcorps.workbrightats.com/jobsearch/?job_board_classification=Internships

Please select "Mt. Hood National Forest, East Zone – Recreation Assistant Individual Placement" when applying.

Additional Information

If you have questions about the application process, please reach out to our Interns team at interns@nwyouthcorps.org. If you have questions about the position, please reach out to the Eric Ganshert, acting East Zone Recreation Program Manager on Mt. Hood National Forest: eric.ganshert@usda.gov.