The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with the United States Forest Service at Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument (managed by Gifford Pinchot National Forest), is recruiting two (2) Park Rangers (north side) to participate in maintaining the visitor center, area grounds, and facilities. They will also communicate with visitors, rove, maintain trails, and monitor recreation sites.

Developed recreation are activities that take place within the built facilities (visitor centers, restrooms, parking lots, sign boards, trail heads, etc.), viewpoints, and recreation areas of the National Volcano Monument.

Johnston Ridge Observatory is a site that is visited by people from around the world to learn about the 1980 eruption of Mount St Helens, the impacts of that eruption, and the long-term challenges of such an event. People visit for many activities, which can include watching movies, reading interpretive panels, listening to ranger programs, scenic driving, hiking, bird watching, fishing, boating, mountain-biking, etc.

The District-wide developed recreation goal is that sites are maintained to standard, evidence of human waste and litter are minimal, and resource damage is minimal. Where resource damage has occurred, especially in high traffic locations, we want to document and monitor the sites and try to rehabilitate to reduce impacts and discourage expansion of impacts.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Daily cleaning and maintenance of visitor sites, parking areas, and trail heads;
• Technicians will participate in developed recreation program maintenance and larger projects;
• Provide support to Visitor Center staff, including public contacts and partner assistance;
• Install and maintain site signs, information boards, travel signs, regulatory signs and other signs associated with recreation sites, travel management and safety;
• Patrol management units to collect data, identify or correct unsafe conditions, answer visitor inquiries, prevent vandalism and other anti-social behavior, gather current information regarding recreation opportunities, and prevent theft of Forest resources and their destruction resulting from carelessness with vehicles or fire;
• Naturalize sites where necessary to control use and prevent resource damage;
• Provide public information and interpretive services, including detailed information concerning recreational opportunities; and
• Educate users on potential resource damage caused by inappropriate use.

Timeline:

• Anticipated Start Date: Week of June 28th, 2026; 12 weeks;
• Full time (40 hours/week); and
• Schedule: 4/10-hour days or 5/4-9's (e.g. 5 Days at 9 hours one week, 4 days at 9 hours (One 8 hr day). 

Location:

At 8:32 Sunday morning, May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens erupted. Within a few moments, nearly 150 square miles of forest was blown over or left dead and standing. Fifty-seven lives were lost and the ensuing 9-hour eruption left a dramatically changed landscape.

In 1982, the President and Congress created the 110,000-acre National Volcanic Monument to be managed by the Forest Service for research, recreation, education, protecting local communities, and allowing natural processes to unfold. In addition to the legislated Monument, Mount St. Helens administrative unit also includes general forest areas. These areas are primarily to the south and east of tthe Monument, and are where the majority of dispersed recreation activities occur.

Compensation and Benefits:

Compensation: $20.82 hourly;

Benefits:

• Company-paid comprehensive medical, dental (with option to upgrade in coverage), and vision insurance;
• $25,000 Basic Life & AD&D insurance at no cost; and
• Access to Pro Deals.

Housing: May be available on site in USFS barracks at a daily rate. Selected RA’s may be provided a housing stipend if opting in for USFS barracks.

Qualifications:

Technical requirements:

• Related degree or coursework in Recreation, Natural Resource Management, Education/Interpretation or comparable field;
• Strong interest in resource management; and
• Experience/familiarity with field work.

Additional requirements:

• Demonstrated experience and comfort with public speaking and communicating with diverse audiences;
• Comfortable living onsite in shared housing; and
• Possess a valid, state-issued driver’s license and clean driving record.