Trails Data Specialist – AmeriCorps (1 opening)

Conservation Legacy Program: Arizona Conservation Corps

Site Location: Red Rock Ranger District (8375 SR 179, Sedona, AZ 86351)

Term of Service:

Start Date: 1/11/2027 (anticipated)

End Date: 7/9/2027

AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 900 Hours

Purpose:

This is an AmeriCorps position with Arizona Conservation Corps (AZCC), which is an AmeriCorps program of Conservation Legacy. The member selected for this position will be serving at the Red Rock Ranger District as an AmeriCorps member with Arizona Conservation Corps, and completing service projects for Coconino National Forest.

AZCC aims to continue the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930's, and is focused on connecting youth, young adults, and recent era military veterans with communities and conservation service projects on public lands. AZCC operates programs across Arizona that engage individuals and strengthen communities through service and conservation. AZCC has program offices in Flagstaff, Tucson, and Phoenix. 

Coconino National Forest:

One of six National Forests in Arizona, the Coconino National Forest comprises 1.856-million acres in northern Arizona, with elevations ranging from 2,600 feet to the highest point in Arizona at 12,633 feet (Humphrey's Peak). Coconino National Forest contains varied landscapes, including deserts, ponderosa pine forests, flatlands, mesas, alpine tundra, and ancient volcanic peaks. The forest surrounds the towns of Sedona and Flagstaff and contains all or parts of 10 designated wilderness areas. The Recreation and Trails program is focused on providing quality recreation opportunities and experiences.

The Red Rock Ranger District encompasses Sedona, Arizona, and is a globally renowned recreation destination, attracting approximately 3 million visitors per year to its iconic red rock landscapes, hiking trails, scenic vistas, and water attractions. This influx creates a significant demand for recreational opportunities that are safe, enjoyable, and sustainable.

The recreation department manages sustainable, varied, and enjoyable recreation experiences for these visitors. The department is resource-forward, seeking to prioritize collaboration with resource specialists and balance recreational use with other forest resources and activities. Data collection comes at the forefront of making well informed management decisions that move recreational use towards program goals.

Description of Duties:

The Trails Data Specialist intern will collect social trail data and incorporate this into a GIS map to help inform future recreation projects. Social trails result in significant environmental concerns, including damage to vegetation, soil, cultural resources, and the watershed. Collection of user-created trail data will inform future recreation projects aimed at sustainably adopting or restoring user-created trails, benefiting overall ecosystem health, and is a critical first step in developing projects to manage user-created trails and the associated environmental damage.

The intern will also publish updates to the Coconino National Forest website, ensuring that it has up-to-date and well-organized information available for members of the public, which will benefit the community. The intern will also support a trail Gap Analysis and trail project prioritization effort, aimed at ensuring that future trail projects on the district align with program goals. 

The intern will be exposed to recreation field work, GIS applications, public affairs/website management, and recreation planning, and will also have opportunities to shadow other members in the recreation department and resource specialists based on their interests.

The Forest Service will provide equipment and training in ArcGIS Online, Field Maps, data collection, Drupal, NRM, First Aid, CPR, and safe driving.

Essential Responsibilities and Functions:

• Utilize ArcGIS Online and Field Maps application to collect social trail data on the Red Rock Ranger District.
• Drive to field sites and work independently to systematically document unmarked user-created trails with Field Maps.
• Document conditions, experiences, and photograph system trails.
• Add trails and recreation sites to the Coconino National Forest website utilizing Drupal and NRM.
• Utilize experiences on system trails, NRM, and online information to update the Forest Service website.
• Organize trails and recreation sites on the website into recreation complexes.
• Support District-wide trails planning efforts.
• Draw from experiences on trails to propose and develop trail projects.
• Support development of a gap analysis, documenting gaps between current trail conditions and desired conditions.
• Support trail project prioritization tool development and process.

Qualifications:

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien.
• At least 18 years of age.
• Has received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate; or has not dropped out of elementary or secondary school to enroll as an AmeriCorps participant, and agrees to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent prior to using the education award.
• Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check.
• A self-starter that demonstrates professionalism, both in demeanor and appearance.
• Valid driver’s license (must be over 21 OR have had license for 3 years if under 21).
• Some college level courses relating to natural resources or recreation, such as biology, environmental science, ecology, recreation ecology, soil science, hydrology, or other related courses.
• Experience with ArcPro and ArcGIS Online is desirable.
• The candidate must be comfortable working long hours outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with trails on the Red Rock Ranger District.
• Experience editing public-facing websites.

Physical Requirements:

During the term, the intern will be exposed to extreme weather conditions including heat, cold, rain, and snow. The intern will be responsible for ensuring their own safety in the field based on weather conditions. Should weather conditions be deemed unsafe, the intern will have opportunity to work indoors when necessary. The intern will be expected to hike off trail, and will encounter uneven terrain, wildlife, and members of the public.

Our Commitment:

Conservation Legacy is committed to the full consideration of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential job functions. Physical requirements may include periodic overnight travel, non-traditional work hours, ability to move across varied terrain, use program-specific tools and a range of technology on an infrequent or frequent basis. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. The ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to Vanessa Morrison at vmorrison@conservationlegacy.org.

Time Requirements:

Typically, this position is expected to serve 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday, but exact service schedules may vary. A half hour lunch break will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service.

Member may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term. 

Orientation and Training:

Member will receive an Arizona Conservation Corps Individual Placement Program New Member Orientation at start of service that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.

Benefits:

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $3,697.50 with successful completion of position.
• Living Allowance of $600 per week.
• Additional Benefit of $175 per week.
• Healthcare Coverage provided by The Corps Network and Cigna.
• Childcare Coverage.
• Qualifies for Student Loan forbearance and Interest Payment reimbursement through AmeriCorps.

Evaluation and Reporting:

As an AmeriCorps member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed the required number of hours, the member has satisfactorily completed assignments, and if the member has met other performance criteria that were clearly communicated at the beginning of the term of service.

Reporting requirements include, but are not limited to, bi-weekly timesheets and accomplishment tracking.

Supervisor Name:

This position reports to Phillip Walrod, Recreation Staff Officer with Coconino National Forest.

Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodations due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.