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Discover Your Forest hosts a wide array of career opportunities! From long-term team members to seasonal hires, volunteer hosts to trainee programs, we are always looking for new ways to connect people to their Public Lands in meaningful ways. Keep scrolling to see the opportunities that we have available right now. If you’d like to see the commitments that we’ve made to our hiring practices, click on the button below.

Discover Your Forest’s Hiring Commitments
Discover Your Forest’s Hiring Commitments (Spanish)

Please submit your cover letter and resume to the contact in each job description.

We are an equal-opportunity employer.



Discover Your Forest Visitor Services Crew Member

Work Schedule: Full Time Seasonal – 40 hours/week (Days off Tuesday & Wednesday)

Start April 24th – September 9

Compensation: $18.00/hour

The Discover Your Forest Visitor Services Crew Member is an employee of Discover Your Northwest (DYNW) based in Seattle, WA. DYNW is the parent organization of Discover Your Forest (DYF) which is based in Bend, OR.

INTRODUCTION

This is a temporary position and is located at a visitor center.  The incumbent is responsible for providing visitors with information, education, and interpretive services for a national monument, historical site, etc., that the Forest Service administers.

MAJOR DUTIES

The Incumbent may perform any or a combination of the following duties:

Ensures that the information desk at a reception area or visitor center is always covered and answers the phone and radio. Greets visitors and responds to inquiries regarding site activities, programs, exhibits, facilities, policies, and functions.  Evaluates inquiries to provide the most valuable and appropriate information or to suggest other options, such as alternate routes or activities.  Provides guidance to the public on rules and regulations regarding on-unit activities and attempts to gain public cooperation in protecting resources from damage and pollution. Assists visitors and callers with informational searches and using the reference library.  Monitors and reports statistics, such as visitor numbers and activities, for project planning.  Keeps abreast of unit issues and acts as lead to other information desk co-workers as needed. 

Sells Federal Recreation passes, including the day, Northwest Forest Annual and Interagency Annual passes, and other merchandise, in accordance with handbook requirements.  Is held responsible for submitting and accounting for sold passes and collected monies using written records.

Performs regular daily activities for the reception area or visitor center, including but not limited to daily opening and closing of the facility, raising and lowering the flag, and maintaining the front desk.  Monitors public areas and updates the status of exhibits. Provides visitors with effective security and safety procedures instructions and informs the supervisor of visitor needs.  Operates a variety of audio/visual equipment.  Maintains a lost and found for visitors and staff.  Coordinates with Discover Your Forest bookstore sales, including stocking, sales, inventory, and reporting.

Coordinates with staff specialists and the public affairs office to provide the public with the latest, most accurate, and appropriate information.  Researches and maintains an inventory of timely publications, brochures, posters, and informational handouts for the public. Creates and posts informational handouts and flyers concerning safety, events, and other items of importance. Works with the public affairs unit to ensure current and accurate information is available on the external Forest Service website.  Updates information such as road and recreation closures.  

Arranges informational interpretive displays in the reception area or visitor center. Varies or changes the displays to coincide with seasonal changes and unit program emphases.  Provides interpretive answers to various visitor interests, such as identifying local flora and fauna or the location of camping areas.  Visits and is very familiar with trails, campgrounds, roads, and other areas on the unit, to provide accurate, descriptive information. Plans and presents interpretive talks and programs for visitors and other groups.  Uses various tools, such as drawings, activity-specific tools, and audio/visual equipment, as interpretive aids for presentations. 

Assists in developing specific objectives for interpretive programs and displays, providing input to the annual plan of work.  Inventories and prepares reports on the annual volumes of use, trends in public information needs, and public response to existing information output.

Makes presentations on subjects such as fire safety, environmental awareness, recreation activities, and litter prevention/Leave No Trace.

Maintains the inventory of existing publications for public use.  Prepares or assists in preparing informational exhibits, including photos, displays, maps, etc.  Maintains the site’s audio-visual equipment.

Supports the site by performing such duties as monitoring field-going personnel for safety purposes, fleet use maintenance and reporting, and other projects and duties as assigned by the supervisor. Monitors the status of office and security equipment and uses various office and computer equipment to accomplish project and unit goals.

FACTOR STATEMENTS

Factor 1. Knowledge Required by the Position

Knowledge of many reference sources to locate answers to visitors’ questions and ability to use good judgment to recognize when to refer questions to a qualified professional.

Knowledge of the Forest Service mission, general Forest Service policies, and specific unit programs to properly present information to the general public. Understanding of the relationship between Discover Your Forest and Forest Service partnership.

Skill in written and verbal communication to successfully communicate with visitors and staff, to assist in developing written interpretive materials, and to prepare and present interpretive talks which will be interesting to the public and consistent with Forest Service programs and policies.

Skill in using computer programs such as Microsoft Office Suite to create documents and information materials.

Factor 2. Supervisory Controls

The work lead assigns work in terms of project objectives and essential priorities.     

The Incumbent draws upon experience and training previously received to perform work assignments.  The incumbent resolves routine problems, and unusual or complicated situations are referred to the work lead or supervisor for guidance.

Completed work is reviewed for technical soundness and compliance with instructions by the supervisor.

Factor 3. Guidelines

Guidelines include Forest Service Manuals and Handbooks, written policy and directions, verbal instructions, and Forest Service-provided training.

Guidelines provide general policy in some cases and specific direction in others.  The incumbent is required to exercise judgment in locating, selecting, and translating guidelines into actions.  The supervisor is available to provide guidance in unusual situations.

Factor 4. Complexity

The work consists of various duties in the area of information, environmental education, and internal communications.  These duties require planning and coordination with several other unit staff members. 

The Incumbent decides what needs to be done and how to accomplish it by analyzing the issues involved in the situation and the unit’s needs, priorities, goals, and commitments.  The incumbent must check and evaluate facts and instructions before distributing information.  This responsibility requires data assimilation and determining appropriate action or attitude for effectively responding to the public.

In addition to routine decisions, significant judgment and interpretation are required when confronted with situations that could be clearer-cut or well-established, i.e., guidelines may have to be adapted or modified to one-of-a-kind situations. Incumbent must select from many alternatives to solve various procedural and operational problems in the functional area.

Factor 5. Scope and Effect

The incumbent must provide information to a wide range of visitors and groups while maintaining and applying a sound understanding of the Forest Service mission and Discover Your Forest partnership.

This work contributes to the better understanding and acceptance of Forest Service activities and policies by the general public. 

Factor 6. Personal Contacts

Contacts include fellow employees, special interest groups, unit visitors, and interested persons from the general public.

Factor 7. Purpose of Contacts

Contacts are to provide a service, resolve operational problems, and receive, direct, and give information regarding various duties involved.  The contacts require considerable tact, diplomacy, patience, courtesy, and credibility.

Factor 8. Physical Demands

The work varies from sedentary to very active.  The incumbent must be able to handle long periods sitting at a desk or standing at a counter.  However, occasional active physical activity is also required, such as hiking over rough and varied terrain and lifting, bending, standing, and carrying moderate-weight objects.                                                                                                                                    

Factor 9.  Work Environment

The job requires both office and outdoor work. Forest Service field offices and visitor centers are adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, temperature and weather extremes may be encountered in outdoor work, periodically requiring protective clothing such as raincoats or jackets for inclement weather. Extended activities in uneven and varied terrain may be required, including underground.

Important Application and Selection Process Dates Application Window: March 15-April 5 Application Review: April 5-13 Selection Made: April 14, Onboarding Paperwork Process: April 17-20 Start Date: April 24, 2023

To apply or learn more about any of these opportunities, please contact Karen Walsh, Discover Your Forest Executive Director, at mobile: 541-233-6110 and send a resume and cover letter to karen.walsh@discovernw.org  to apply.



 AmeriCorps Wilderness Trainee 2023 Position Announcement 

(Deschutes National Forest, 4 positions available in Bend. )

Spend the summer outdoors as an AmeriCorps Wilderness Trainee! 

Description: The Deschutes National Forest, in partnership with Discover Your Forest and Heart of Oregon Corps, is seeking four individuals to serve in the Generation Green 21st Century Service Program as AmeriCorps Wilderness Trainees for the summer of 2023. 

AmeriCorps Wilderness Trainees support the Deschutes National Forest through wilderness stewardship service while learning key skills and developing professional competencies. You will serve daily with Forest Service staff, other AmeriCorps Members and wilderness volunteers to complete your daily duties. The Heart of Oregon Corps -AmeriCorps, Discover Your Forest, Deschutes National Forest partnership passionate about promoting equity while celebrating the diversity of our community and providing empowering opportunities for those who are under-represented. 

Generation Green Heart of Oregon AmeriCorps Program is as follows: 

  • • Number of positions hiring: Four (4) 
  • • Age requirement: 18-30 
  • • Salary: $7,500 total stipend. $500/week, paid bi-weekly 
  • • Scholarship: $2,472.27 Segal Education Award 
  • • Term of Service: 675 hours / 15 Weeks 
  • • Certification: Upon completion of full-service hours, each Wilderness Trainee will receive the Public Land Corps Hiring Authority certificate. PLC Hiring Authority provides 2 years of non-competitive hiring status*. (*Non-competitive hiring status is the ability to apply and be considered for permanent vacancies within the Forest Service without competitive examination or competing with career or career-conditional employees under internal merit staffing procedures for any position which eligible. Candidates applying under this authority are considered with other non-competitive status candidates. 
  • • Provide conservation education and exposure to natural resources through mentorship and experiential shadow opportunities. 
  • • All participants, based on personal interests, will have additional opportunities to explore other Forest Service specialties. 
  • • Housing is not offered through this program. 

Primary duties include: 

  • • Provide education to visitors at trailheads and in the backcountry. Education topics include trail/campsite/forest conditions, Wilderness Regulations and compliance, Leave No Trace ethics and best practices, and general Wilderness Stewardship information. 
  • • Restore illegal and inappropriate campsites and trails to improve habitat, specifically around riparian areas. 
  • • Clean up campsites and day use areas to mitigate recreation impacts to wilderness resources. 
  • • Monitor and document use patterns. 
  • • Clear and maintain wilderness trails to minimize recreation impacts. 
  • • Documenting prescribed treatments to public lands by use of photos or videos 
  • • Completing project narratives for reporting purposes 
  • • Participate in all trainings and orientations 

Secondary duties include: 

  • • Opportunities to participate in projects with Heart of Oregon Corps – AmeriCorps crews include 
  • • Clearing areas of dangerous fire fuels 
  • • Building or repairing fencing to protect vulnerable habitat 
  • • Restoring trails and waterways 
  • • Habitat restoration 
  • • Herbicide application on invasive plant species 
  • • Assisting with driving and project logistics 
  • • Conducting tool/equipment/vehicle inventory tracking and maintenance 

Qualified candidates will be/have: 

  • • Must be a U.S. Citizen and pass a background check. 
  • • A current driver’s license with good driving record. 
  • • Excellent communication skills and the ability to easily talk to large groups of people every day. 
  • • Exceptional work ethic, enthusiasm, and a high degree of flexibility. 
  • • Commitment to serve a minimum of four -10-hour days, Thursday-Sunday, with weekend work required. Weeks regularly range from 40-50 hours. 
  • • Service will consist of primarily day excursions with 1-2 opportunities for an overnight wilderness outing. 
  • • Ability to spend long days in the field under varying weather conditions. 
  • • Ability to hike over rough, uneven terrain. 

What is the education value to the applicant? 

  • • The term of service will allow the Wilderness Trainee to put into practice their academic knowledge. 
  • • Enhance employment opportunities in natural resources and the U.S. Forest Service. 
  • • Gain a broad perspective of wilderness management and sustainability through exposure to a variety of duties. 
  • • Discover strengths and weaknesses. 
  • • Opportunity to network with a diverse group of professionals: formal and non-formal educators, scientists, and U.S. Forest Service specialists. 
  • • Gain valuable hands-on experience on projects in an outdoor setting. 
  • • Cultivate resources from experts on how to develop your personal career pathway. 

Partnership Overview: 

This opportunity is made possible through a partnership between the Deschutes National Forest, Discover Your Forest, and Heart of Oregon Corps. Staff from each partner supports the AmeriCorps Wilderness Trainees. General guidelines for partner roles are: 

Forest Service Staff provides: 

  • • Experiential, in the field, training and support. 
  • • Daily work activities direction. 
  • • Daily supervision. 
  • • Additional service and education opportunities. 

Heart of Oregon Corps Staff: 

  • • Ensures understanding and compliance of all AmeriCorps policies and procedures. 
  • • Submitting time sheets and reimbursement checks facilitation. 
  • • Service hours tracking and AmeriCorps program benefits. 

Discover Your Forest Staff: 

  • • Serve as primary liaison between partners. 
  • • Additional support to both partners and Members as needed. 
  • • Career Pathways workshop and information sharing. 
  • • Delivers PLC Hiring Authority Certificate upon successful completion of service hours. 

Onboarding & Orientation: Reference checks and a two-part criminal history background check will be conducted on all final candidates, as required for this position. Selected candidates must complete both AmeriCorps and Forest Service onboarding and attend all required Forest Service trainings/orientations. 

Questions and How to Apply: 

  • • For more information contact Davey Pearson, Discover Your Forest’s Volunteer & Career Pathways Program Manager, at 541-383-5530, davey.pearson@discovernw.org or Christine Meyers, Assistant Partnership Program Manager at 541-383-4770 or christine.meyers@usda.gov 
  • • To apply: Email Cover Letter and Resume to both christine.meyers@usda.gov and davey.pearson@discovernw.org. Please include your outdoor experience and interest in the Natural Resources field in your cover letter. 
  • • Please apply before close of business Friday, April 14th, 2023. (contact if you miss deadline) 
  • • Interviews – week of April 18th – April 28, 2023 
  • • Selections – by May 12th, 2023 
  • • Anticipated Start Date – June 18th, 2023 
  • • Anticipated End Date – September 24th, 2023 
  • • Once a member starts, they must be available to serve full-time 

Heart of Oregon Corps is an equal opportunity employer and encourages all qualified applicants to apply for open service opportunities. Upon request, reasonable accommodations will be pursued for any interested and qualified applicants. Furthermore, people of color, women, and members of vulnerable or underrepresented communities are strongly encouraged to apply. As a recipient of Federal financial assistance, Heart of Oregon Corps is prohibited from discriminating on the grounds of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation or belief, and against any beneficiary of programs on the basis of the beneficiary’s citizenship/status as a lawfully admitted immigrant authorized to work in the United States. 



 2023 Fisheries and Stream Survey Trainee 

(Deschutes National Forest, 1 in Bend and 1 in Sisters)

Position Announcement 

The Deschutes National Forest, in partnership with Discover Your Forest is seeking a candidate to serve in the Generation Green – 21st Century Conservation Service Program as Fisheries and Stream Survey Trainee for the summer of 2023. 

Overview of Generation Green – 21st Century Conservation Service Trainee Program: 

  • • Number of positions hiring: Two (2) 
  • • Age requirement: 18 -30 years and veterans up to 35 years of age 
  • • Salary: $18.00/ hour 
  • • Term of Service: 640 hours (~16 weeks) 
  • • Certification: Upon completion of full-service hours, the Fisheries and Stream Survey Trainee will receive the Public Land Corps Hiring Authority certificate. PLC Hiring Authority provides 2 years of non-competitive hiring status*. (*Non-competitive hiring status is the ability to apply and be considered for permanent vacancies within the Forest Service without competitive examination or competing with career or career-conditional employees under internal merit staffing procedures for any position which eligible. Candidates applying under this authority are considered with other non-competitive status candidates. 
  • • Provide conservation education and exposure to natural resources through mentorship and experiential shadow opportunities. 
  • • Selectee, based on personal interests, will have additional opportunities to explore other Forest Service specialties. 
  • • Housing is not offered through this program. 

Duty Location: Deschutes National Forest Supervisors Office, Bend, OR 

Work Schedule: Field days are typically 10 hours. The usual crew schedule is four days a week, Monday -Thursday, with occasional shorter or longer days. 

About the Position: 

The selectee will collect of Region 6 Level II data on streams in the Deschutes National Forest as part of a multi-person survey crew. Width and depth data are collected on slow and fast water habitats, in-stream wood is measured and tallied, shade and lengths of unstable banks are measured, data on riparian and streamside vegetation are collected, and stream discharge and substrate measured. Fish presence or absence and other aquatic wildlife observations, general stream condition, and stream impacts are recorded. Electrofishing and snorkel surveys will be conducted as well as other field duties including monitoring of water quantity and quality and meadow and stream restoration project implementation. 

Opportunities for data collection and entry using ArcGIS and electronic surveys on handheld tablets will be offered. 

Selectee will also assist with post-implementation monitoring. Types of monitoring may include photo point monitoring, riparian pasture monitoring, stream temperature monitoring, vegetation monitoring, and fish population monitoring. 

Hiking long distances, off-trail, over rough, sometimes steep terrain and wading in cold, fast-moving waters on shifting, uneven substrate are regular conditions of this internship. Selectee can expect exposure to biting and stinging insects, dense vegetation, varying weather conditions, and driving long distances to access survey sites. 

Selectee will work with experienced biologists, hydrologists, and others, and gain knowledge and experience in the mission and practices of the Forest Service, standard data collection protocols, fish identification, stream habitat function and ecology, riparian vegetation identification, land management and restoration practices on the forests, temperature and habitat monitoring, invasive species identification, and safety and wellness awareness on the job. Opportunities for GIS and data management will be offered. 

Crew vehicle, hardhat, backpack, chest waders and wading boots will be provided. 

Personal transportation from home to duty location will be is the responsibility of the selectee but mileage reimbursement may be available. If personal vehicle use is required for travel beyond the duty location for work related travel, mileage would be compensated. 

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record 

• Ability to spend long days in the field under varying weather conditions 

• Ability to swim or comfort being in and around water 

  • • Able to hike over rough, uneven terrain 

• Good, professional attitude and ability to learn and work as a team member 

• Efficient organization and communication skills 

• Good communication skills are critical for relaying observations 

  • • Attention to detail when collecting and entering data 

• Basic computer and mobile device skills, legible handwriting in field conditions 

• Interest in a fisheries/aquatics/natural resource management career 

Partnership Overview: 

This opportunity is made possible through a partnership between the Deschutes National Forest and Discover Your Forest. Staff from each partner supports the Fisheries & Stream Survey Trainee. General guidelines for partner roles are: 

Forest Service provides: 

  • • Experiential, in the field, training and support 
  • • Daily work activities direction 
  • • Daily supervision 
  • • Additional service and education opportunities 

Discover Your Forest Provides: 

  • • Serve as primary liaison between partners 
  • • Additional support to both partners and trainees, as needed 
  • • Career Pathways workshop and information sharing 
  • • Delivers PLC Hiring Authority Certificate upon successful completion of service hours 

Onboarding & Orientation: Reference checks and a two-part criminal history background check will be conducted on all final candidates, as required for this position. Selected candidate must complete the Forest Service onboarding process and attend all required Forest Service trainings/orientations. 

Questions and How to Apply: 

  • • For more information contact Davey Pearson, Discover Your Forest’s Volunteer & Career Pathways Program Manager, at 541-383-5530, davey.pearson@discovernw.org 
  • • To apply: Email Cover Letter and Resume to davey.pearson@discovernw.org. Please include your outdoor experience and interest in the Fisheries or Watershed Management field in your cover letter. 
  • • Please apply before close of business Friday, April 14th, 2023 (contact if you miss deadline) 
  • • Interviews: Week of April 18th – April 28, 2023 
  • • Selections to be made by mid-May 
  • • Anticipated Start Date – Mid June 2023 (in hopes of attending USFS Region 6, NR9 Stream Inventory Training Session that is to occur the second week of June 2023. 
  • • Anticipated End Date – Mid to late September 2023 
  • • Once a trainee starts, they must be available to serve the duration of their internship. Some flexibility may be given to enrolled students. 


 2023 Fisheries and Wildlife Stream Survey Trainee 

(Ochoco National Forest 2 positions available)

Position Announcement 

The Ochoco National Forest and Crooked River National Grassland, in partnership with Discover Your Forest is seeking a candidate to serve in the Generation Green – 21st Century Conservation Service Program as Fisheries and Stream Survey Trainee for the summer of 2023. 

Overview of Generation Green – 21st Century Conservation Service Trainee Program: 

  • • Number of positions hiring: Two (2) 
  • • Age requirement: 18 – 30 years and veterans up to 35 years of age 
  • • Salary: $18.00/ hour 
  • • Term of Service: 640 hours (~16 weeks) 
  • • Certification: Upon completion of full-service hours, the Fisheries and Wildlife Stream Survey Trainee will receive the Public Land Corps Hiring Authority certificate. PLC Hiring Authority provides 2 years of non-competitive hiring status*. (*Non-competitive hiring status is the ability to apply and be considered for permanent vacancies within the Forest Service without competitive examination or competing with career or career-conditional employees under internal merit staffing procedures for any position which eligible. Candidates applying under this authority are considered with other non-competitive status candidates. 
  • • Provide conservation education and exposure to natural resources through mentorship and experiential shadow opportunities. 
  • • Selectee, based on personal interests, will have additional opportunities to explore other Forest Service specialties. 
  • • Housing may be available. 

Duty Location: Ochoco National Forest & Crooked River National Grassland Supervisors Office, Prineville, OR 

Work Schedule: Field days are typically 10 hours. The usual crew schedule is four days a week, Monday -Thursday, with occasional shorter or longer days. 

About the Position: 

The selectee will collect of Region 6 Level II data on streams in the Ochoco National Forest as part of a multi-person survey crew. Width and depth data are collected on slow and fast water habitats, in-stream wood is measured and tallied, shade and lengths of unstable banks are measured, data on riparian and streamside vegetation are collected, and stream discharge and substrate measured. Fish presence or absence and other aquatic wildlife observations, general stream condition, and stream impacts are recorded. Electrofishing and snorkel surveys will be 

conducted as well as other field duties including monitoring of water quantity and quality and meadow and stream restoration project implementation. 

In addition, the selectee will also be implementing monitoring to detect American beaver occupancy. This monitoring will assist the Ochoco National Forest in better understanding beaver distribution Forest wide, as well as habitat selection and potential limiting factors. The selectee will be using Petro etal. 2020 beaver monitoring protocol as a guide to implement the monitoring. 

Lastly, the Ochoco National Forest has a variety of ongoing aquatic/riparian restoration projects. The selectee will also participate in ongoing beaver dam analogue installation, riparian planting, and riparian protection (fencing meadows and caging plants) 

Opportunities for data collection and entry using ArcGIS and electronic surveys on handheld tablets will be offered. 

Selectee will also assist with post-implementation monitoring. Types of monitoring may include photo point monitoring, riparian pasture monitoring, stream temperature monitoring, vegetation monitoring, and fish population monitoring. 

Hiking long distances, off-trail, over rough, sometimes steep terrain and wading in cold, fast-moving waters on shifting, uneven substrate are regular conditions of this internship. Selectee can expect exposure to biting and stinging insects, dense vegetation, varying weather conditions, and driving long distances to access survey sites. 

Selectee will work with experienced biologists, hydrologists, and others, and gain knowledge and experience in the mission and practices of the Forest Service, standard data collection protocols, fish identification, stream habitat function and ecology, riparian vegetation identification, land management and restoration practices on the forests, temperature and habitat monitoring, invasive species identification, and safety and wellness awareness on the job. Opportunities for GIS and data management will be offered. 

Crew vehicle, hardhat, backpack, chest waders and wading boots will be provided. 

Personal transportation from home to duty location will be is the responsibility of the selectee but mileage reimbursement may be available. If personal vehicle use is required for travel beyond the duty location for work related travel, mileage would be compensated. 

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record 

• Ability to spend long days in the field under varying weather conditions 

• Ability to swim or comfort being in and around water 

  • • Able to hike over rough, uneven terrain 

• Good, professional attitude and ability to learn and work as a team member 

• Efficient organization and communication skills 

• Good communication skills are critical for relaying observations 

  • • Attention to detail when collecting and entering data 

• Basic computer and mobile device skills, legible handwriting in field conditions 

• Interest in a fisheries/aquatics/natural resource management career 

Partnership Overview: 

This opportunity is made possible through a partnership between the Deschutes National Forest and Discover Your Forest. Staff from each partner supports the Fisheries & Stream Survey Trainee. General guidelines for partner roles are: 

Forest Service provides: 

  • • Experiential, in the field, training and support 
  • • Daily work activities direction 
  • • Daily supervision 
  • • Additional service and education opportunities 

Discover Your Forest Provides: 

  • • Serve as primary liaison between partners 
  • • Additional support to both partners and trainees, as needed 
  • • Career Pathways workshop and information sharing 
  • • Delivers PLC Hiring Authority Certificate upon successful completion of service hours 

Onboarding & Orientation: Reference checks and a two-part criminal history background check will be conducted on all final candidates, as required for this position. Selected candidate must complete the Forest Service onboarding process and attend all required Forest Service trainings/orientations. 

Questions and How to Apply: 

  • • For more information contact Davey Pearson, Discover Your Forest’s Volunteer & Career Pathways Program Manager, at 541-383-5530, davey.pearson@discovernw.org 
  • • To apply: Email Cover Letter and Resume to davey.pearson@discovernw.org. Please include your outdoor experience and interest in the Fisheries or Watershed Management field in your cover letter. 
  • • Please apply before close of business Friday, April 14th, 2023 (contact if you miss deadline) 
  • • Interviews: Week of April 18th – April 28, 2023 
  • • Selections to be made by mid-May 
  • • Anticipated Start Date – Mid June 2023 (in hopes of attending USFS Region 6, NR9 Stream Inventory Training Session that is to occur the second week of June 2023. 
  • • Anticipated End Date – Mid to late September 2023 

Once a trainee starts, they must be available to serve the duration of their internship. Some flexibility may be given to enrolled students. 



Discover Your Forest – Forest Stewards Program Coordinator

This new position will play a key role in building the Discover Your Forest (DYF) and the Deschutes National Forest -Forest Stewards Program – a 3-year pilot program in its first year. The Forest Stewards Program is being developed to increase opportunities to educate and inform forest users through personal interactions on various forest management and responsible recreation topics.  This is a dynamic role, and as the program develops and grows, so will likely the part of the coordinator. The coordinator will work closely with the DYF executive director (ED) and DYF to guide how the program will evolve. With the support of the ED, the coordinator will take the lead on recruiting a 10-12 person Forest Steward’s crew and the administrative tasks related to bringing on new volunteers. They will also work closely with DYF partners – recreation groups and land managers – to identify projects and establish work schedules, identify training needs, gather equipment, and take the lead on managing the logistics for all DYF Forest Stewards operations. The coordinator will be the liaison between the volunteer stewards, land managers/partnering organizations, and DYF – to identify and schedule programs and associated needs, keep DYF apprised of progress, and make suggested modifications to the program as needed.

The Forest Stewards Program Coordinator is an employee of Discover Your Northwest (DYNW) based in Seattle, WA. DYNW is the parent organization of Discover Your Forest (DYF), based in Bend, OR.

PRIMARY DUTIES

Participate as DYF Staff:

  • Work closely with DYF Executive Director, DYF Volunteer Program Manager, and USFS
  • Attend DYF staff meetings.
  • Attend USFS meetings as directed.
  • Provide oversight to all volunteer stewards service programs and plan and implement appropriate events, activities, and projects which position DYF/USFS as a desirable place for volunteer service.
  • Assist with special events promoting DYF/USFS and stewardship of public lands.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Personnel:

  • Create job descriptions, advertise, recruit, hire, and supervise 10-12 Volunteer Forest, Stewards.
  • Prepare reports on the stewards’ hours and successes, as requested by the Discover Your Northwest board of directors, agency partners, and funders.
  • Logistics
    • Secure transportation
    • Manage Forest Stewards program and work schedule.
    • Identify and coordinate training needs

Project Coordination:

  • Coordinate with DYF partners and land management agencies to:     
    • Identify potential projects for the 2023 field season.
    • Confirm or pursue project approval.
    • Clarify standards and specifications.
    • Identify skills and equipment needed for projects and arrange to supplement.
    • Work with USFS Field Rangers to create efficiencies where possible.

Work Schedule:

  • This is a full-time, permanent position. While the typical work week is Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, this position often requires evening and weekend work.  

Desired Qualities and Experience:

  • Dependability – shows up, steps up, communicates when they need help, ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
  • Ability to foster solid working relationships with volunteers and volunteer groups
  • Adaptability and enjoys a dynamic work environment with room for growth and development.
  • Personnel Experience – extensive volunteer supervisory experience, responding to volunteers’ needs and ensuring they have what is needed to work effectively and safely, giving direction, and administrative tasks such as tracking timesheets, workers’ compensation claims, etc.
  • Organizational Skills and Project Planning Experience – coordinating schedules, estimating time, and scheduling projects, events, and any additional needs to ensure efficient and safe project completion.
  • Communication skills and Emotional Intelligence ability to communicate clearly verbally and in writing and partner with organizations and land managers to coordinate, problem solve, and program build.

Other:

  • All DYF Educational Programs are operated according to the terms of a contract with the public land agency to which the site belongs to promote and support the agency’s educational and interpretive efforts
  • All DYF activities are directly or indirectly dedicated to serving this purpose
  • Position is located on Federal property and requires a high level of cooperation with agency staff

Compensation:

Salary is 50,000 – 55,000/year commensurate with experience.  This position will accrue vacation and sick leave, including health and dental insurance, 401K, and additional benefits.

To Apply: Anyone interested in the position should submit a resume and letter of interest demonstrating their qualifications. The letter of interest should succinctly describe the applicant’s goals, suitability for the job, and other pertinent facts that may not appear in the resume. Applications received by March 27, 2023, will be given priority. No phone calls, please. Discover Your Forest is an equal-opportunity employer. Please send resumes and cover letters to karen.walsh@discovernw.org. All offers of employment will be subject to the satisfactory completion of a background check.

Start Date: April 17, 2023



 PGE Project ZeroPathways to Green Jobs

Program highlights

Young Adults Ages 19 to 24

Interns are Paid $19.50 an hour

Interns can work 25 to 40 hours a week

Paid monthly cohort meetings

Work for environmentally focused nonprofits

Interns receive work gear (boots, jackets, gloves, etc.)

Technology and transportation assistance available

PGE professional mentorship

Potential full time job placement after program completion

Program Timeframe

Interviews are April 2023

Interns selected May 2023

Program runs June 1 and ends November 30

Graduation ceremony December 1, 2023

Professional mentoring available December through May 2023



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  63095 Deschutes Market Rd.
Bend, OR 97701

  541-383-4043

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Get connected with volunteer opportunities
 

We appreciate your interest in volunteering on your Public Lands! By filling out this form your answers will help us learn a bit about who you are and what kind of volunteer service best fits your interests and skills. After you submit this form, Discover Your Forest’s Community Engagement Director will follow up with you to help connect you to local forest service volunteer opportunities and/or refer you to our partnering volunteer service organizations.

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