American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest is seeking 2 Special Uses Permit Administration crew members. This opportunity is intended for enthusiastic professionals with an interest in permit administration and land management on National Forest land. 

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

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

Start Date: May/June 2026
Estimated End Date: October/November 2026
*a 24 week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest; Naches Ranger District, Naches WA

Naches Ranger Station, Naches, WA-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.  

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’Douglass and Norse Peak Wilderness areas.  The district is also home to White Pass Ski area and the Rimrock Lake, Clear Lake, and Bumping Lake Recreation areas.  

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

Position Overview:  

Permit Administration crew members will assist Forest Service personnel with the process of issuing and monitoring permits for recreation residences, recreation events, ski areas, and a variety of other permitted uses on the Naches Ranger District. Duties include but are not limited to performing inspections, mapping permit areas, reviewing and auditing financial reports, corresponding with permit holders and the public, and providing pertinent information to permit administrators across the Forest. Interfaces directly with permit holders to ensure the requirements of their permits are understood and compliance with permit terms is maintained. Work is performed both in the field and in an office setting.

• Use GPS/GIS to complete maps and collect data on special use permit area conditions.
• Provides excellent visitor service by answering the public’s questions. 
• Coordination and collaboration with coworkers and external partners.
• Provides factual information and answers questions about the permit program, rules, regulations, and information on resource management practices on the unit.
• Technology such as tablets and GPS systems will be utilized to collect baseline data and perform inventories. 
• Use of 4-wheel drive equipment will be necessary, and the chosen member needs to be comfortable traveling in a UTV or Jeep on rough, steep, and remote motorized trails.
• Inspecting recreation events. 
• Skill in written and verbal communications and human relations to maintain a good working relationship with public agencies, permit holders, other public land users, permit administrators, and agency auditors. 
• Knowledge of laws, regulations and other written guides in order to interpret and apply the guides in reviewing and implementing appropriate clauses of a variety of documents which have precise legal requirements.
• Skill in organizing, monitoring, tracking, and timely follow-up to ensure full compliance of regulations.  
• Scanning, filing, and maintaining permit files.

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: Monday through Friday, 8am - 4:30pm with potential occasional shifts for weekend events. 

Position Benefits

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 USFS and ACE and is not flexible.

Housing: Bunkhouse accommodations through the USFS may be available but are not guaranteed. 

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 CPR/first aid and on the job training with ArcGIS and internal USFS systems. 

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.
• Ability to pass a basic written test and road test to obtain a US Government Motor Vehicle Operators Card.
• 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/ and read the section under “eligibility requirements”.

Preferred:

• Ideal applicants will hold (or be pursuing) a bachelor's degree in a natural resource field, though relevant experience and a passion for public lands may be substituted.
• Experience and/or ability to learn the use of a GPS unit. Experience with GIS software is preferential. 
• Ability to take initiative, work independently and participate in collaborative efforts. 
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely with resource professionals and the public. 

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.
• 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 15 lbs., ability to move up to 30 pounds.
• Environmental: Mainly indoor, office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled. Occasional outdoor work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
• Noise Environment: Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic. 
• Travel: This position does not require unique travel outside of the forest. 

Environmental Conditions/Hazards:  The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland conditions, 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 USFS or ACE.  Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the USFS . Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the USFS , will be mandatory for any activity that requires it.  Strict adherence to USFS and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required.  

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.