Visitor Information Services Assistant

Visitor Information Services Assistant

Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, is seeking 2 VIS Assistants to contribute to various projects alongside US Forest Service Staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit: www.usaconservation.org.

Start Date: May 15th, 2023

Estimated End Date: September 2nd, 2023

Location: Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, Hells Canyon NRA, Hells Canyon Creek Visitor Center and Launch

The Duty Station for this position is Halfway, Oregon, which is adjacent to the USFS Pine Ranger District Office and complex. Halfway is located 54 miles (87 km) east of Baker City, along Oregon Route 86, halfway between Pine and Cornucopia, which gave the town its name. The city's geographic coordinates of 44°52′42″N 117°6′38″W (making it close to the midpoint between the equator and the North Pole) were part of the reason for Half.com to choose the town for its advertising gimmick. Halfway, OR has a population of about 300 residents and the community has fueling stations, grocery stores, a small variety of restaurants and Pine Eagle Medical Clinic. Halfway, OR is located just south of the Eagle Cap Wilderness and offers a large variety of outdoor recreational opportunities.

About the Hells Canyon NRA: Hugging the borders of northeastern Oregon and western Idaho, this national showcase holds 652,488 acres of beauty and adventure, where you can let your senses run as wild as the landscape. North America's deepest river gorge encompasses a vast and remote region with dramatic changes in elevation, terrain, climate and vegetation. Carved by the great Snake River, Hells Canyon plunges more than a mile below Oregon's west rim, and 8,000 feet below snowcapped He Devil Peak of Idaho's Seven Devils Mountains. Scenic vistas that rival any on the continent. World-class whitewater boating. Spectacular mountain peaks. Vast reaches of remote wilderness for hiking or horseback riding. Diverse and abundant wildlife. Artifacts from prehistoric tribes and rustic remains of early miners and settlers. Hells Canyon National Recreation Area truly offers something for everyone, and much to remember.

For more information click here.

Position Overview:

• There is a one hour each way, paid commute to the workstation at the Hells Canyon Creek Boat Launch and Visitor Center. This facility is located just below Hells Canyon Dam and is the southern portal of the Wild and Scenic Snake River.
• Duties include meeting and greeting the public visitors at the Visitor Center, enthusiastically answering questions and offering interpretation about Hells Canyon.
• The Hells Canyon National Recreation Area receives upwards of 40,000 visitors to the Canyon annually.
• Visitor Information Assistants will also work with our outfitting community and permitted private boaters as they prepare to launch at the boat ramp.
• The scenery and views from the Hells canyon Creek Launch site is spectacular and a beautiful setting to work at.
• There will also be opportunities to get on the river by jet boat and or Forest Service float boat raft patrols to monitor dispersed recreation sites and visit with our public visitors.
• Greets visitors and responds to a variety of inquiries regarding Forest Service activities, programs, exhibits, facilities, policies, and functions.
• Ensures that the information desk at the visitor center is staffed at all times, answers the phone, radio and relays messages.
• Performs regular daily activities for the visitor center, including but not limited to, daily opening and closing of the facility, light janitorial duties, raising and lowering the flag, etc.
• Provides guidance to the public on rules and regulations regarding on-unit activities.
• Monitors and reports statistics such as visitor numbers and activities for project planning.
• Assist powerboaters and float boat parties in obtaining and filing appropriate permits.
• Inspects boating parties to ensure that required equipment is in possession and on-board.
• Administrative work including computer programs, paperwork, filing, cleaning and organization at the Visitor Information desk
• Participates with staff specialists and public affairs office to provide the latest, most accurate and appropriate information to the public.
• Sells forest timber permits, and other items, such as maps, books and passes, in accordance with Forest Service requirements.
• Provides visitors with effective instructions on security and safety procedures and informs the supervisor of visitor needs.

This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups.

Scheduling: This position is-based at a visitor center with a 4 day a week schedule (10-hour days). Work will be a combination of outdoor duties around the visitor center and boat ramp, coupled with in-office work. Work schedule typically includes some weekend days on a routine basis.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $600/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a federal hiring authority upon completion of their term of service. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general information online https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements.

Housing: Housing is provided by the Forest Service in District compound in Halfway, OR.

Relocation Allowance: ACE members will have access to up to $500 to be used for eligible relocation expenses. Further details regarding distribution of these funds will be provided during the interview process.

Provided Training/Orientation: Members will be trained in a variety of trail maintenance skills and techniques and may have the opportunity to complete more specialized training in crosscut, chainsaw or rock-work/rigging operations.

Qualifications

Required

• Members must be US citizen or Permanent Resident, as required to comply with U.S. government contracts
• Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.
• Ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group.
• A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
• Willing to undergo and must pass required criminal history checks.
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• ACE Members must verify that they are fully vaccinated for Covid-19 or have requested and been granted a medical or religious exemption to vaccination by the time they start their term.

Preferred Skills:

• Competitive applicants for this position can have relevant experience in subject areas such as Recreation Management and/or Natural Resources.
• Ability to educate visitors in responsible recreation and/or other natural resource topics in accordance with Forest Service objectives and policies, to reinforce compliance with laws/regulations, to resolve problems, and to provide assistance to forest visitors. Contacts may include dealing with some persons and/or groups that may be uncooperative, hostile and who have different viewpoints.
• Must have strong communication skills
• Must be able to work alone and in small groups with minimal supervision, and adhere to instructions, procedure and use initiative in carrying out recurring assignments independently
• Public outreach and making contacts with visitors is a key component of this role

The member must be willing to represent ACE and the Forest Service in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.

To Apply: Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience, and contact information for three professional/academic references to the online application page for this position here: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/. Early consideration will be given as resumes are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact ACE Member Manager Jack Hall at jhall@usaconservation.org

EEO: American Conservation Experience provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, American Conservation Experience complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.

Current Openings for Visitor Information Services Assistant Jobs in Massachusetts (MA) at American Conservation Experience - EPIC