Northwest Youth Corps

Individual Placement – 480 HR

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

The Dalles Lock and Dam – The Dalles, OR

Position Title: Natural Resource Stewardship Individual Placement

Position Summary:

The Dalles Lock and Dam is recruiting one (1) 480-Hour Natural Resources Steward Individual Placement beginning May to June through August 2026. Exact dates of terms are negotiable. The position will support recreation, interpretation, natural resources, and wildlife habitat management and restoration in the Mid-Columbia region near The Dalles, Oregon. As a natural resource steward, you would assist with management of natural resources at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) lands along the Columbia River between The Dalles Dam and John Day Dam in both Washington and Oregon.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Major duties are related to assisting USACE staff in natural resource management and related activities at the locations described above. Specific activities include:

• 30% Wildlife Habitat and Vegetation Improvement. Includes: vegetation management projects consisting of invasive species removal and maintenance of native plants in landscaped or restored areas. May include surveys for native and imperiled species, invasive plants, shoreline birds, monarch butterflies, endangered pond turtles. On-site survey training will be provided.
• 40% Public Education and Interpretive Services. Includes greeting visitors at The Dalles Lock and Dam Visitor Center and conducting outreach in areas such as water safety.
• 30% Park and Recreation Site Management. May include patrolling with a uniformed ranger, collecting traffic counter data, updating bulletin boards, trail development and restoration.

*Please note percentages describe the estimated time allocated to each task over the course of the term.

All work under this AmeriCorps term shall be performed in accordance with EM 385-1-1, "U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Safety and Health Requirements Manual," and FED-OSHA regulations. EM 385-1-1 can be downloaded from: https://www.usace.army.mil/Missions/Safety-and-Occupational-Health/Safety-and-Health-Requirements-Manual/

Required Qualifications:

• Ages 18-30 (up to 35 for veterans)
• U.S. Citizen or lawful, permanent resident
• Must pass a background/driver check
• Must have a high school diploma or GED
• Ability to work outdoors in remote settings and inclement (often hot, windy)
• Willingness to learn new skills and technology.
• Strong interest in natural resources.
• Customer service skills.
• Willingness to work independently or as part of a
• Ability to lift and carry up to 30 (day pack, restoration supplies)
• Willingness to ride in and work from boats and
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, attention to detail, and a positive attitude.
• Knowledge of spreadsheets and word processing programs and ability to bring own computer for office
• Current Driver's license and ability to report on time to the office at The Dalles Lock and Dam

Desired Qualifications:

• Knowledge of Northwest plants and/or coursework in biology and
• Personal transportation

Duty Location:

Duties are performed within and along The Dalles Pool (between The Dalles Dam and John Day Dam). Individual placements will report daily to The Dalles Dam natural resource office east of The Dalles, OR. Public transportation opportunities are limited, and you must arrange your own transportation to and from the office. Occasionally, this position may require use of your vehicle during duty hours and use of your own computer for data entry and administrative tasks.

Terms of Employment:

One individual placement will complete a term of service (length dependent on commitment of hours), June through August for a total of 12 weeks. The individual placement will average 40 hours of labor per week, minus holidays. Individual placements are responsible for providing their own personal transportation and food.

Program Benefits:

Individual placements will earn $7,680 living allowance dispersed on a monthly basis throughout the 12-week term. The living allowance are taxable. Additionally, there is a reimbursement fund of $54.10 available for defensive driver training during the term.

Application Instructions

• Application Deadline: Open Until Filled
• Interviews: Will occur as qualified applications are received.
• Type of position: Individual Placement
• Service Dates: May/June – August 2026 (start date is negotiable to accommodate applicant schedules)
• Length of Term: 12 Weeks (minimum of 480 Hours)

Additional Information

If you have questions about the position, please reach out to Northwest Youth Corps Internship Department at interns@nwyouthcorps.org or 208-625-8402, or Bethany Rittenhouse at 541-506-8471 or Bethany.L.Rittenhouse@usace.army.mil

All job offers are contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background check (criminal history and driving history).