Position Title: USDA Forest Service Recreation Ranger - AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Southwest Conservation Corps - Four Corners, Durango

Site Location: San Juan National Forest Pagosa Ranger District, 180 Pagosa St. Pagosa Springs, CO 81147

Terms of Service:

• Start Date: 6/01/2026
• End Date: 9/11/2026
• AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 450 Hours

Purpose:

This AmeriCorps program partners with the USDA Forest Service staff at local field offices throughout southern Colorado. This AmeriCorps position is under direct mentorship and technical guidance of the Pagosa Ranger District Forest Service office with additional management, support, and administration from Southwest Conservation Corps. The USDA Forest Service has an overall mission of “Caring for the Land Serving People.” The San Jaun National Forest encompasses about 1.8 million acres in the beautiful southwest corner of Colorado. From high-desert mesas to alpine peaks, these lands are managed for multiple uses. The Pagosa Ranger District manages 585,770 acres of the San Juan National Forest across several counties, including Chimney Rock National Monument. This monument holds great cultural significance for the Native American tribes of southwestern Colorado and neighboring states and is managed with the assistance of the USDA Forest Service. The Recreation Program provides a variety of recreation opportunities in the forest and at Chimney Rock National Monument, while supporting locals and visitors in exploring and enjoying their public lands in a safe and respectful way.

This AmeriCorps position will be integrated alongside the Forest Service Recreation staff. The Individual Placement (IP) will be spending a majority of their term serving at Chimney Rock National Monument completing various projects including interpretation, visitor education, trail patrols, and facility maintenance. While completing essential trail and infrastructure tasks the IPs will also provide an on-the-ground presence in the landscape and ensure locals and visitors alike are following Forest Service rules and regulations. This will include completing trail patrols, making public contacts and educating forest and national monument visitors on Leave No Trace ethics. The goal is to foster quality recreational opportunities for diverse groups of users in the forest, while also responsibly managing overall impacts caused by the recreational use of the public over time. These trail systems and national monument provide great opportunities for locals and visitors to spend time in nature. The IPs will also be exposed to different tracks in this career field and will have the opportunity to network and cross train with other programs that they are interested in for example Wildland Firefighting, Timber, and Wildlife Management.

Description of Duties:

• Education and interpretation to visitors of Chimney Rock National Monument
• Trail patrols to ensure visitors are following all rules and regulations and adhering to cultural and Leave No Trace ethics
• Facility maintenance of vault style toilets
• Assisting Developed Recreation Technician with campground and day use area projects across the district
• Use to hand tools to complete developed recreation projects
• Weekly public contacts in recreation areas
• Weekend service hours at Chimney Rock National Monument is required

Potential Human/Environmental Risks:

• Slips, trips, falls with uneven terrain and varying weather conditions
• Dealing with a high volume of diverse public interactions
• Exposure to human waste at toilet facilities or in the woods/in areas of high use dispersed recreation
• Wildlife encounters

Qualifications:

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
• At least 17 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.
• Must be able to serve on weekends

Preferred Qualifications:

• Well organized, highly motivated, professional and passionate outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy field-based projects and have confidence communicating with a diverse amount or individuals in a group setting
• Ability to communicate effectively and engage in a culture of safety while maintaining a high level of professionalism
• General interest in the Forest Service, Leave No Trace Ethics, and Conservation
• Ability to work independently and in a group setting

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 the hiring manager.

Time Requirements:

• Typically, this position is expected to serve Friday to Tuesday 8:00am to 5:00pm 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 in-depth orientation provide by Southwest Conservation Corps that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.
• Partner will provide appropriate orientation and training(s) for field activities

Benefits:

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $1,956.35
• Living Allowance of $600 per week, distributed bi-weekly
• Additional Benefit of $175.00 per week, distributed bi-weekly
• Loan forbearance if Eligible
• Interest Payments if Eligible
• Professional development and networking opportunities with both SCC and the Forest Service
• Two SCC field shirts
• Forest Service bunk housing available

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 and Contact Information:

Individual Placement Program Manager: Niki Antonio (she/her)

Contact Information: nantonio@conservationlegacy.org

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.