OHV Trail Team Members

Overview

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, is seeking 3 Wilderness and Trail Team Members to contribute to various trail maintenance and education projects alongside U.S. Forest Service Staff. The Wilderness and Trail Team will consist of 2 Wilderness and Trail Crew Members and 1 Wilderness and Trail Lead Technician.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Wilderness and Trail Lead Technician

Start Date:

June 1, 2026
Estimated End Date:
October 16, 2026

Wilderness and Trail Crew Members

Start Date:

June 15, 2026
Estimated End Date:
October 2, 2026

Location Details/

Description:

Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Naches Ranger District - 10237 Hwy. 12, Naches, WA 98937

The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest encompasses nearly 3.8 million acres along the east slopes of the Cascade Range in central Washington. The Forest encompasses a diverse area of sparkling rivers and lakes, deep canyons, and rugged mountains up to 10,541 feet in elevation. The district includes wilderness areas and recreation sites. Naches Ranger Station is located approximately 15 miles west on Hwy 12 from Yakima, WA.

Government housing is an additional 20 minutes west from the ranger station. Cell service and WiFi are limited at the housing location. Each member is responsible for quarters fees (rent).

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

Position Overview

Wilderness and Trail Crew Members

Trails/Wilderness crew members will assist Forest Service personnel with maintenance of FS-system trails, in backcountry settings. Duties include using hand and mechanized tools, trail repair, log out, occasional construction/reconstruction of infrastructure, monitoring designated Wilderness areas, inventorying user-created trails and recreation sites, and coordinating with partner organizations. Members will help educate the public about Wilderness awareness and regulations, permit compliance, campsite impacts and Leave No Trace (LNT) principles.

Flexibility with scheduling is required as projects may require extended backcountry time. All members will assist with developed recreation management in addition to trail duties.

Wilderness and Trail Lead Technician

The Trails/Wilderness Technician Lead will perform similar duties with added responsibilities to lead ACE members, assist program managers with scheduling, monitor trail conditions, write trail reports, and ensure processes run smoothly.

Duties May Include

• Maintain Forest Service system trails to standard using tools such as crosscut saws, hand saws, shovels, pulaskis, McLeods, grip hoists, rock bars and other tools related to trail maintenance.
• Serve as a member of a trails maintenance team to maintain, repair, and build trails to protect wildlife habitat and water quality and improve recreational access.
• Build trails with gravel and materials, restore impacted areas, and replace signage as needed.
• Prepare construction materials, ensure tool maintenance, and report work completed.
• Help plan and implement logistics of trail maintenance and reconstruction projects.
• May perform trail logs, condition, and prescription surveys.
• Travel and camp in remote backcountry settings; hikes 10-20 miles in a day are common. Work in all weather; backpacking required.
• Oversee routine maintenance of trails at dispersed recreation sites, including cleanup and naturalizing.
• Interact with forest visitors and educate visitors on trail maintenance and cleanup when assigned.
• Explain regulations concerning trails maintenance specific to the Wilderness Act.
• Collect monies from sale of recreation use permits at designated fee sites.
• Perform routine recreation operations and maintenance, including installation of tables and fire rings, signboard maintenance, and ensuring signage is correct; assist with cleanup of recreation facilities (toilets, buildings, etc.).
• Cleaning bathrooms and restocking supplies as needed.
• Use of technology such as tablets and GPS systems to collect baseline data and inventories.

This placement is meant to facilitate professional development and…