The Research Associate Program at GBI, in cooperation with USFS at Mt. Saint Helen National Volcanic Monument, is recruiting two (2) Recreation Program Assistants (South) to support the recreation program at the monument.

On the south side of Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, the assistant supports a wide variety of recreation activities and visitor services. They will patrol and inspect backcountry areas and mountaineering routes, sometimes requiring multiple days of traveling through steep terrain and overnight camping, to ensure areas are operated, used, restored and/or maintained in accordance with management plans.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Assists with issuing special permits and tickets for recreational activities on the Monitor Ridge climbing route, the Mount Margaret Backcountry and Ape Cave Interpretive Site;
• Provides information on resource management practices, regulations, and current conditions at these sites;
• Collects, compiles, and summarizes recreation and trail data;
• Provides input for programming and planning;
• Ensures recreation sites at the Monument and nearby dispersed areas are operated and maintained in accordance with management plans;
• Schedules daily activities, establishes maintenance schedules, and inspects cleanup operations;
• Reports on conditions and use of sites and areas to program supervisors;
• Cleans both roadside and backcountry dispersed sites and naturalized sites where necessary in order to control use and prevent resource damage;
• Installs and maintains information boards, travel signs, regulatory signs, and other signs associated with recreation sites, trails, travel management, and safety;
• Conducts education programs addressing Leave No Trace (LNT) camping, wilderness philosophy and minimum impacts; 
• Educates user groups on LNT camping techniques and packing out garbage; 
• Helps curtail improper management of human waste and educates visitors on campsite placement;
• Prepares and conducts environmental education programs for a variety of audiences;
• Initiates or assists with the creation or revision of environmental education materials; and
• Maintains working relationships with partnership organizations and volunteers.

Timeline:

• Anticipated Start Date: Week of June 15th, 2026; 12 weeks;
• Full time (40 hours/week); and
• Schedule: 4/10-hour days.

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 the 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.