Start Date: June 12, 2023 – February 12, 2024

Compensation: $650 per week + $1000 monthly for housing

Medical Insurance Included

Application Due: April 15, 2023 

The Resource Assistants Program seeks to engage ethnically and racially diverse young professionals in natural resource careers. You must be:

• a U.S. citizen or legal resident.

• fully vaccinated for covid-19 prior to the start of their internship.

• a college graduate.
• personal vehicle required.

Please Apply Here

Project Description:

Position Summary: Be in the company of wild things and rugged landscapes! Join our educational staff for an exciting experience with the Forest Service in a beautiful mountain setting within the Sawtooth National Recreation Area (SNRA). The chosen naturalist will complete research, develop and present natural and cultural walks, talks and campfire programs for diverse groups of visiting youth and adults, including wilderness education (Leave No Trace) in the outdoors. One or two times a week, the candidate will dispense recreation information to the public at a Visitor Center.  S/he will attend team meetings and staff orientations to become familiar with the Forest Service and specific SNRA goals and receive on the job training.

Position Requirements:

• A desire to serve and promote public land stewardship and an ethic of service.
•  Communicate and interact in a positive, professional manner with various populations such as: project partner(s), colleagues, community volunteers, youth, and the general public.
•  A commitment to the goals of the US Forest Service and to the full term of service.
•  An independent, self-motivated, creative and resourceful individual able to work with diverse groups of people. 
•  Work a flexible schedule, including some evenings and weekends.
• Valid driver’s license and good driving record  as required for position.
• Must successfully pass a fingerprint criminal history background check provided.
• U.S. citizen, national or lawful permanent resident.
•  Possession of a college degree, or near completion with a background in education or interpretation. 

Qualifications:

• Upper level or recent graduate with formal or informal experience in teaching, communications, wildlife biology, natural resources, or a related field preferred. 
•  Strongly prefer experience developing and conducting inquiry- based programs
•  Prefer experience correlating programs with national and state educational standards.
•  Prefer experience working with the general public and children in indoor and outdoor settings.
• Excellent written, oral communication and computer skills.
• Spanish speaking is a plus, but not required. 

About the Sawtooth National Forest: 

SNF is a federally protected area that covers 2,110,408 acres (854,052 ha) in the U.S. states of Idaho (~96 percent) and Utah (~4 percent). Managed by the U.S. Forest Service in the U.S. Department of Agriculture, it was originally named the Sawtooth Forest Reserve in a proclamation issued by President Theodore Roosevelt on May 29, 1905. On August 22, 1972 a portion of the forest was designated as the Sawtooth National Recreation Area (SNRA), which includes the Sawtooth, Cecil DF Andrus White Clouds, and Hemingway–Boulders wilderness areas. The forest is managed as four units: the SNRA and the Fairfield, Ketchum, and Minidoka Ranger Districts.

Ketchum is a city in Blaine County, Idaho, United States, in the central part of the state. The population was 2,689 at the 2010 census, down from 3,003 in 2000. Located in the Wood River Valley, Ketchum is adjacent to Sun Valley and the communities share many resources; both sit in the same valley beneath Bald Mountain, with its world-famous skiing. The city also draws tourists from around the world to enjoy its fishing, hiking, trail riding, tennis, shopping, art galleries, and more. The airport for Ketchum, Friedman Memorial Airport, is approximately 15 miles (24 km) south in Hailey. 

Housing will be in or near Stanley, Idaho but work may require traveling in a vehicle to other recreation sites an hour away.

Community Information: http://ketchumidaho.org/

Sawtooth National Forest Information: https://www.fs.usda.gov/sawtooth

Direct Hire Authority (DHA)

All RAP interns receive Direct Hire Authority (DHA) at the successful conclusion of their internship. DHA status enables an agency to hire, after public notice is given, any qualified applicant. A DHA expedites hiring by eliminating competitive rating and ranking, veterans’ preference, and “rule of three” procedures. For more information, please click HERE.

EEO Statement:

Environment for the Americas provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.