Description

Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest is seeking two (2) Trails Technicians and one (1) Irrigation/Ranch Hand Member in support of the Methow Valley Ranger Districts Recreation Program. 

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Start Date: June 1, 2026

End Date: October 16, 2026

*Start and end dates can be flexible. But the ability to work for the full season (20 weeks) is preferred.*

Location Details/Description: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest; Methow Valley Ranger District, Winthrop, WA

More about the area

The Forest: The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest is one of the largest forests in Region 6, covering 3.8 million acres on the east slopes of the Cascade Range, with 5 ranger districts that span from the Canadian border to the Yakima River valley. There is a wide range of year-round recreation opportunities and 1.5 million acres of wilderness. The Forest is a leader in implementing a Forest restoration strategy that recognizes the role of fire adapted communities and wildlife and is involved in numerous interagency and collaborative efforts, state, county and federal.

The Methow Valley Ranger District, Winthrop, WA, is 1.3 million acres of public land located on the east side of the Cascade Range, about two hours north of the Forest Headquarters in Wenatchee. Within the Methow Valley Ranger District are two wilderness areas – the Pasayten and Lake Chelan-Sawtooth, accounting for a combined 600 thousand acres. With over 300 miles of fish-bearing streams and 120 lakes, as well as the northernmost miles of the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail and the wild heart of the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail, the Methow Valley is an engaging and rewarding location to work in support of recreation.

For more information about the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, please visit the USFS website.

Position Overview

Trails Technicians (2 members):

Serves as a member of a trails maintenance team, to maintain, repair, and build trails throughout the Forest Service unit to ensure protection of wildlife habitat and water quality in addition to improving recreational access to forest lands.
Builds gravel trails and associated materials, restores impacted areas, and replaces signage as needed.
Prepares construction materials, ensures proper tool maintenance, and reports work completed.
Maintain Forest Service system trails to standard using tools such as crosscut saws, chainsaws, hand saws, axes, shovels, pulaskis, pick matics, rock bars, loppers, and other tools related to trails maintenance.
Helps plan and implement logistics for trail maintenance and reconstruction projects. May perform trail log, condition, and prescription surveys. 
Travel and camp in remote backcountry settings. Strenuous hikes to work a site 10-20 miles in a day is not uncommon. Work in all kinds of weather, unless hazardous. Backpacking required. Crew is often pack supported by stock at the start and end of hitch.
Oversees routine maintenance of trails at dispersed recreation sites including cleanup and naturalizing.
May interact with forest visitors and when assigned, educates visitors covering trail maintenance and cleanup. Explains regulations concerning trails maintenance specific to the Wilderness Act
 

Irrigation/Ranch Hand (1 member):

Operate, maintain, and repair water systems related to wheel line irrigation and associated sprinkler systems at the USFS- 8 Mile Ranch. 
Ensure proper water distribution on fields is adequate for stock grazing by moving wheel lines at least one time daily.
Troubleshoot leaks and malfunctions. Fix problems if possible or make the supervisor aware of issues. 
Maintain and construct fencing to keep livestock within pastures. 
Operating and maintaining small motors, hand tools, and power tools.
Moving heavy pipes (40+lbs) and working outdoors in varying weather conditions.
Assist packer in care and maintenance of the district horse and mule herd.
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.

Schedule: Typical schedule for the bulk of the summer field season is 8 on/ 6 days off. At the start of the season working a 4 on/ 3 days off schedule may be required to meet training needs.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $775/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly. The living allowance is a fixed rate determined by the USFS and ACE and is not flexible.

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 and 640 hours of service. If the duration of a PLC-eligible term is not long enough for Members to accrue 640 hours of service (~16 weeks), the total hours served at the completion of the term may be eligible to be combined with hours accrued from another PLC-eligible term to meet the 640 hours requirement. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please see the ACE website for more information on PLC eligibility. 

This position is part of the Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement must meet the PLC Eligibility requirements to be considered for this position. Members may be eligible for a federal hiring authority upon completion of their term of service and 640 hours of service. If the duration of a PLC-eligible term is not long enough for Members to accrue 640 hours of service (~16 weeks), the total hours served at the completion of the term may be eligible to be combined with hours accrued from another PLC-eligible term to meet the 640 hours requirement. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age (You must be between the ages of 16 and 30. Some agencies also interpret these guidelines to include veterans up to age 35) and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general eligibility information on our website.

Relocation & Gear Reimbursement: One-time payment of $700 per crew member ($500 for relocation, $200 for gear such as boots or gear that the government is not providing)

Backcountry per diem: $45/day for overnight trips.

Housing:  *May* be available in Winthrop or Mazama in either a shared bunkhouse or a provided wall tent camping setting with access to a cooking area, bathroom, and shower house. Applicants can also explore local rentals via the "MethowNet Bulletin Board" web page. RV locations with hookups can be rented locally as well.

Provided Training/Orientation: ACE members will receive position specific training and an orientation outlining ACE policies and procedures, clear guidance on prohibited activities, and networks for support. Specific training may include the opportunity to complete more specialized training in crosscut, chainsaw, and horse riding/stock packing.

Qualifications

Required: 

• Members must be authorized to work in the United States. ACE does not provide sponsorship for employment visas.
• 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). Members must be 21+ to drive due to ACE's insurance and liability requirements.
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required criminal history checks
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• ACE Members will need to complete bi-weekly timesheets, beginning of term feedback forms, end of term evaluations and for longer terms, a mid-term evaluation. 

To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website.

Preferred Skills: 

• Personal reliable transportation is required, as the duty station is considered remote.
• Members must possess a high fitness level and interest in camping, with potential for backcountry work trips in inclement weather.
• A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
• Ability to pass a basic written test and road test to obtain a US Government Motor Vehicle Operators Card.
• Ability to pass a federal criminal background check.
• ACE is a drug free workplace and reserves the right to drug test at any time.
• Ideal applicants will hold (or be pursuing) a bachelor's degree in a natural resource field, though relevant experience and a passion for public lands may be substituted.
• Prior trails and ranch work experience is preferred for similar types of work.
   

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions: 

Physical Demands: Requires frequent, standing, walking, hiking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talking and hearing. Manual dexterity required for use of various tools, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Ability to hike over rough terrain, and camp overnight under field conditions. Members must possess a high fitness level and interest in camping, with potential for backcountry work trips in inclement weather. 

Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus. 
Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 50 lbs., ability to move up to 40 pounds. For trails technicians- Carrying all necessary backpacking gear, transporting, and using a variety of hand tools including crosscut saws, shovels, axes, loppers, power tools, etc. 

Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates. Mainly indoor, office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled. These are highly demanding outdoor positions that require substantial physical fitness and mobility, and a tolerance for extreme weather and demanding conditions, snow, sun, heat, mosquitoes and long-hours are not uncommon.

Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise such as gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools. Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.

Travel: This position requires domestic travel to the site. This position does not require unique travel.
 

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland conditions, biting insects, and potentially dangerous wildlife. The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/members or resources.

Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety: If a vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties, one will be provided by the USFS or ACE. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the USFS. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the USFS, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to USFS, and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required. 

To Apply: Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience, and contact information for three professional/academic references to ACE's online application page for this position on our website. Early consideration will be given as applications are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact Member Manager, Yunielis Clemente Ortiz yclemente-ortiz at usaconservation dot org

Apply here: Trails & Ranch Hand Technicians

If you meet at least 70 percent of the qualifications, we want to hear from you!

ACE participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information when you are enrolled in a program to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

EEO:  Employment or Service with ACE is based upon ability, qualifications, attitude, and job-related factors. Every qualified employee, member, or applicant has the same opportunity for recruitment, hire, training, transfer, promotion, compensation, demotion, termination, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, creed, national origin, pregnancy, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information, veteran or military status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, medical condition, marital or parental status, political affiliation, ethnicity, hair texture or style, arrest record, caste, hereditary status, endogamy, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, or federal law.