Payson Campground Recreation Technician - Tonto National Forest

Title: Payson Campground Recreation Technician - Tonto National Forest (2 openings)

Start/End Date: April 1, 2024 – November 29, 2024 (anticipated, but can start sooner)

Living Stipend: $600 per week ($500 living allowance + $100 housing/camping allowance)

Term: 35 weeks, full-time

Reports To: Angela Abel (North Zone Recreation Staff) and Jeremy Evans (Payson Rec Staff)

Locations: Payson Ranger District (1009 E. Hwy 260, Payson, AZ 85541)

Status: 1200-hour AmeriCorps Service Term, full-time, temporary

Benefits: AmeriCorps Education Award of $4,546.50; Public Lands Corps Certificate*; both with successful completion of the service term. Health insurance eligible through The Corps Network

*To be eligible for a Public Lands Corps certificate, members must be between the ages of 18-30, inclusive, at the time the member begins their term of service.

Arizona Conservation Corps (AZCC):

Arizona Conservation Corps, a program of Conservation Legacy, aims to continue the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930's. AZCC is focused on connecting youth, young adults, and recent era military veterans with conservation service work 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 and Tucson.

Tonto National Forest:

At over 2.9 million acres, the Tonto National Forest is the largest National Forest in Arizona, and the seventh largest National Forest among 154 USDA National Forests. The Tonto features some of the most rugged and inherently beautiful land in the country. Sonoran Desert cacti and flat lands slowly give way to the highlands of the Mogollon Rim. This variety in vegetation and range in altitude -- from 1,300 to 7,900 feet -- offers outstanding recreational opportunities throughout the year, whether it's lake beaches or cool pine forest.

Position Summary:

The Tonto National Forest is seeking to mentor 2 temporary, full-time Campground Recreation Technicians in what it takes to oversee and manage the daily operations of 5 developed campgrounds and day use areas under the fee program. The selected interns will work with U.S. Forest Service staff, Recreation Technicians, and campground hosts, with the primary focus of managing the daily operations of developed campgrounds and day use fee sites. The interns will work with a field supervisor and other Recreation Technicians to learn the processes of making public contacts in Developed Recreation sites, making seasonal inspections of developed recreation sites, fee compliance, educating the public about Forest Service rules and regulations, and general upkeep of Developed Recreation sites. Other responsibilities include daily operations such as checking the reservation system, inspecting and cleaning sites, enforcing fees and Forest Service rules and regulations, and educating the public. The interns will be provided with an AZCC vehicle to commute between Forest Service recreation sites and will work together as a team. The schedule is typically four ten-hour days, with some flexibility as to what days are worked. No housing is provided, but the interns are able to camp at designated campgrounds during their work week.

Essential Responsibilities and Functions:

• Commute between designated recreation sites on a regular basis and learn recreation operations as needed.
• Work with field supervisor and other Recreation Technicians on routine responsibilities, areas of focus, and patrols.
• Assist other Recreation Technicians with completion of inspections and making public contact, and work independently to make public contacts as knowledge increases.
• Assist with fee compliance and education of recreating public concerning Forest Service rules and regulations.
• Assist campground hosts as needed.
• Work independently to complete assigned inspections, document issues or concerns.
• Assist in annual and seasonal inspections of Developed Recreation sites.
• Identify ways to improve sites, document before, during and after photos.
• Install new fire rings, wheel stops, and trash cans, as well as paint buildings and maintain and repair restrooms.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Enthusiasm for working in the outdoors.
• Ability to share and get along well with others.
• A self-starter that can easily work as a team or alone.
• Ability to communicate well both orally and in writing.
• Demonstrate professionalism, both in demeanor and appearance.
• Some knowledge of public lands and recreation opportunities.
• Applicants must pass a criminal history background check and possess a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record (must be over 21 years old or have had license for 3 years).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Customer service skills when interacting with the Public.
• An appreciation and interest in outdoor recreation.
• Past experience with recreation site maintenance, or light maintenance skills.

Physical Requirements:

• To successfully perform essential functions, the individual is required to sit, stand, walk, speak, hear, etc. May be required to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl for significant periods of time and be able to safely lift 50 pounds on a routine basis.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Participant Essential Eligibility Requirements:

• Participation and Expedition Behavior:
• Work effectively as a member of a team despite potentially stressful and difficult conditions. This may require problem solving on an interpersonal or group level as well as a willingness to accept differences.
• Contribute to a safe learning environment, no harassment of others for any reason.
• Willingness and ability to complete all aspects of the program including conservation projects, education, training, and national service. Members must commit to participating in all agency/team activities, including service days in local communities where applicable.
• Effectively communicate ideas and concerns as they arise directly to supervisors, colleagues, and organization staff.
• Appropriately represent the Arizona Conservation Corps, Tonto National Forest, and AmeriCorps to the public and partners at all times.
• Learn and practice ‘Leave no Trace’ outdoor living techniques.

Safety and Judgment:

• Effectively communicate danger to others in the form of either a warning of danger others may be encountering or a notification of personal distress, injury or need for assistance. Must be able to do so at a distance of up to 50 meters and in conditions with limited visibility or loud background noise such as darkness or high winds.
• Effectively perceive, understand, and follow direction by others so that you will be able to successfully execute techniques to manage hazards.
• Stay alert and focused for several hours at a time while traveling and working in varied weather conditions.
• Respond appropriately to stress or crisis.
• If taking prescriptions medications, participants must be able to maintain proper dosage by self-medicating without assistance from others.

Substance Free:

• In accordance with a drug free workplace, alcohol and drugs are prohibited while participating in AmeriCorps and program activities and while on organization property.

To Apply:

Please submit a resume and cover letter and fill out the online application at https://azcorps.org/ip-positions. If you have questions, contact AZCC’s Individual Placement Coordinator, Preston Sands, at psands@conservationlegacy.org.

For more information about Arizona Conservation Corps, please visit www.azcorps.org. Arizona Conservation Corps is a program of Conservation Legacy.