Wilderness Ranger

Position

Wilderness Ranger

Date
:
January 30, 2026

Classification
:
Full-time, temporary (seasonal), May 15 to November 15 (approx.)

Location
:
Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Silver City, or Las Cruces (other duty stations potentially negotiable)

Our team of Wilderness Rangers works in designated wilderness, in other designated areas, and on other special projects throughout New Mexico, with specific work locations dependent on duty location and available funding. Primary duties also depend on available funding and federal land management needs and may include collecting data on wilderness conditions and issues, conducting trail maintenance, removing invasive weeds, rehabilitating unauthorized campsites, conducting public outreach, and implementing wilderness education projects.

The engagement of volunteers, including planning and implementing volunteer stewardship projects, is integrated into all work activities.

These Wilderness Ranger positions are temporary (seasonal), with an estimated period of employment of May 15 to November 15. However, the work season may be extended based on available funding and conditions such as snow, heat and fire. A shorter term of employment may be possible if mutually desired.

• Work independently and as a team in a variety of backcountry and front-country settings on specific assigned tasks.
• Scout, plan, and lead backcountry wilderness stewardship projects with volunteers.
• Develop and/or execute local strategies for monitoring and data collection consistent with federal agency protocols.
• Operate a smartphone data collection application to collect consistent and accurate natural resource and visitor use data.
• Maintain organized and complete records.
• Travel, camp, and work in remote backcountry settings during wilderness trips.
• Utilize safe and low-impact backcountry travel skills.
• Identify, plan, and complete various stewardship projects with coordination and approval from relevant federal agency personnel.
• Recruit, coordinate, train, and lead volunteers and youth in completing a variety of stewardship projects.
• Ensure that New Mexico Wild’s stewardship goals are consistent with its diversity, equity, and inclusion objectives.

• Knowledge of wilderness principles, concepts, policies, and objectives.
• Ability to collect natural resource and visitor use data.
• Practical knowledge of backcountry travel, natural resources, and land management operations sufficient to perform work assignments within backcountry settings.
• Ability to work under arduous physical conditions.
• Ability to identify invasive plant species, conduct trail assessments, utilize primitive tools, perform trail and campsite maintenance and restoration, and use a data collection application.
• Ability to recruit, coordinate and lead volunteer crews.
• Ability to work both independently and with a team, including coordination with New Mexico Wild and federal agency staff.
• Experience with ArcGIS and other mapping software and data collection applications is a plus.
• Valid state-issued Driver License is required.
• Access to personal vehicle for travel to and from work sites will be required for some positions. Mileage for work-related activities will be reimbursed.

Work is performed primarily in the field, often in remote backcountry locations for multiple days at a time. Field work includes risk of injury from falls, strains, insect bites and includes exposure to inclement weather. Work will be full time and conducted in 8-day/80-hour hitches during the field season, which will require work during some weekends, holidays, and occasionally evenings. Light office duties will be performed at assigned work locations.

Overnight travel will be required to complete duties between 50% and 100% of work time during the field season. Safety equipment is required and will be provided in accordance with applicable federal agency job hazard analyses. Employer-provided housing is not available.

• This is a temporary, non-exempt position.
• Duty locations may include Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Silver City, or Las Cruces, New Mexico, with other duty locations potentially negotiable.
• Compensation for new Wilderness Rangers starts at $20.00 per hour, plus daily field per diem for multi-day, overnight trips. Temporary employees will also receive all legally mandated benefits, including social security, worker’s compensation insurance, and Paid Time Off (PTO).

New Mexico Wild is a statewide, non-governmental grassroots advocacy organization dedicated to conserving federal public lands in New Mexico. New Mexico Wild is an equal opportunity employer and actively works to ensure fair and equal treatment of its employees regardless of differences based on culture, socioeconomic status, race, marital or family situation, gender, age, ethnicity, religious beliefs, physical ability, or sexual orientation.

Apply before March 1st for priority consideration. To apply, please submit your…