Northwest Youth Corps

Individual Placement – 960 Hour

U.S. Forest Service

Gifford Pinchot National Forest

Position Title: Wilderness Ranger Individual Placement 960 hour

Position Summary:

The Gifford Pinchot National Forest will host two Land Steward individual placements to work as Wilderness Rangers in the beautiful forest of the Mt. Adams Ranger District. The Individual Placements will patrol and monitor trails on projects that are both individual and crew-based. These projects will focus on engaging visitors to the forest by educating them on: Leave No Trace principles, the value and history of congressionally designated Wilderness, Forest Service wilderness management, backcountry travel skills, local geography and recreation opportunities. In addition, Individual Placements will perform trail maintenance and participate in climbing patrols. This position is perfect for a person who has a passion for being outdoors and has experience working safely in a backcountry setting.

Duties/ Responsibilities:

• Patrol trails in Wilderness areas and initiate public contacts to enhance the visitor experience and promote safe recreation.
• Perform climbing patrols on Mt. Adams. Patrols will begin at an elevation of approximately 5,600' and end at approximately 9,200' (the location where most climbers camp prior to making the summit. Overnight stays at 9,200 will be required).
• Learn Leave-No-Trace principles and backcountry use ethics & practices and share these principles with visitors. (training provided)
• Learn and promote an understanding of public lands.
• Document Wilderness visitor contacts and trail conditions; maintain daily logs.
• Assist in organizing volunteers including climbing patrols, restoration projects, data collection projects, etc.
• Maintain wilderness & non-wilderness trails safely using tools like handsaws, axes, hoes, loppers, and shovels.
• Perform routine maintenance at recreation sites including fire-ring clean up, trailhead stocking, site naturalizing, and litter removal. This will include Maintaining restrooms and scat pack collection bins at Wilderness trailheads.
• Become educated on current issues and controversial-use practices (national and regional) affecting recreation on public lands.
• Complete Individual Placement requirements and submit all necessary paperwork and reports in a timely manner.

Required Qualifications:

• U.S. Citizen or lawful, permanent resident
• Must pass a background/driver check

• Valid driver's license, clean driving record, and ability to provide documentation when requested.
• High school diploma/ GED

• Between the ages of 18-30 years (up to 35 for military veterans), at the start of the program.

• Commitment to the full individual placement.

• Safely carry heavy backpack loads (45-55 lbs.) for long distances, at times, encountering steep elevation gains (as much as 2000-5000 vertical feet a day).
• Travel, work and live safely in both mountainous wilderness and remote community settings for extended periods of time, both alone and/or with small crews.
• Safely use and manage tools and backpacking/camping equipment.
• Communicate clearly and professionally with all working groups.
• Work in an office setting and utilize a Forest Service computer and manage emails.
• Tolerate extreme heat and cold; season will start with snow on the ground and end with snow on the ground, in between it will be hot and dusty.
• Be enthusiastic about all types of wilderness trail recreation and desire to promote environmental stewardship.

• Must follow all health and safety policies and procedures, including any changes that are implemented throughout the course of the individual placement.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience hiking and backpacking in the backcountry for extended periods of time.
• Experience in safe use of hand tools (this could be from things like farming, gardening, orchard work, landscaping, carpentry, construction, etc.).
• Experience with high-alpine travel/mountaineering.
• Experience communicating with the public.
• Knowledgeable about Leave No Trace ethics, designated wilderness recreation and management, and high elevation/fragile ecosystems.
• A passion for being involved with wilderness and environmental stewardship.
• Personal transportation recommended

Duty Location:

• Duties are performed within Mt. Adams Ranger District, 2455 WA-141, Trout Lake, WA 98650. Forest Service bunkhouse-style housing is available at no cost to the individual placements. Housing is bunkhouse style and will be shared with other Forest Service seasonal staff. The bunkhouse is located on the Forest Service compound, where the individual placement will report to work. All utilities (water, power, heat) are included. Wifi and laundry are on the compound, but may not be in the specific bunkhouse the Intern will be placed in. Pets, firearms, alcohol, and drugs (including marijuana) are prohibited in the bunkhouse. Under federal law, marijuana & cannabis products are still classified as a controlled substance. Even though it may be legal in certain states, it is illegal on Federal lands, including campgrounds, buildings, and other facilities.
• The duty station and bunkhouse are in Trout Lake, WA. The Individual Placement will work mainly in the Wilderness areas of the Mt. Adams Ranger District; these include Indian Heaven, Trapper Creek, and Mt. Adams Wildernesses.
• Adams Wilderness is 47,122 acres along the west slope of Mt. Adams and its summit. This area is a blend of dry "east-side" and moist "west-side" ecosystems, allowing diverse vegetation and wildlife to flourish. Areas along the flanks of Mt. Adams burned in wildfire over the last several decades, providing contrast with the lush unburned forests nearby and a glimpse at how landscapes regenerate after fire.
• Trout Lake has a post office, general store, café, coffee shop, gas station, pizza food truck, and one restaurant. The hours of these establishments vary and are not always consistent. The closest towns with full-service grocery stores and resources are White Salmon, WA (30 mins away) and Hood River, OR (40 mins away). Cell phone service in Trout Lake can be spotty, especially in the wilderness areas.

Terms of Employment:

• Individual Placements will complete a term of service from May 11 to October 23, 2026. The Individual Placement will average 40 hours of labor per week. Depending on sites, there will be observance of federal holidays. It is highly recommended that the individual placements have their own vehicle transport for supplies/equipment for days-off. It is the responsibility of the interns to get between the housing and the amenities of town.

Program Benefits:

• Individual Placements will earn $13,200 stipend dispersed on a monthly basis throughout the 24 weeks. Professional development, trainings, and networking opportunities may be available. Agency/Organization vehicles are available for work-related travel. Forest Service provides all transportation between the Ranger Station and the trailheads.

Application Instructions

Application Deadline: Until Filled

Interviews: Will occur as qualified applications are received

Type of position: Individual Placement

Service Dates: May 11 to October 23, 2026

Length of Term: 24 weeks (minimum of 960 hours)

How to apply:

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references and completely fill out the application form found at https://nwyouthcorps.workbrightats.com/jobsearch/?job_board_classification=Internships

Please select "Gifford Pinchot Wilderness Ranger Individual Placement" when applying.

Additional Information:

If you have questions about the position, please reach Northwest Youth Corps Internship Department at interns@nwyouthcorps.org or Kacy Smith at kacy.smith@usda.gov.

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