Recreation and Public Engagement Tech (summer 2022)
Start Date: June 6, 2022 – February 6, 2023 (Approximate)
Compensation: $650 per week + support for lodging and transportation
Application Due: March 28, 2022
The Resource Assistants Program seeks to engage ethnically and racially diverse young professionals in natural resource careers.
Must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident.
All interns must be fully vaccinated for covid-19 prior to the start of their internship.
Location: Vienna, Illinois
Position Description: The Recreation and Public Engagement Tech will help the forest maintain developed recreation sites to standard, update and/or develop recreation education and outreach materials, actively participate in various recreation and trails projects, and engage volunteers. The tech will participate in field-going operations building strong relationships with partners and volunteers to complete trail and recreation site improvements. This position will include developing a kayak/canoe trail recreation opportunity guide, engaging with partners to install signage at new MTB trails, working two trash blast events at the forest, and developing five new information panels from ordering to installation. The successful candidate will need to be self-motivated, able to work with a wide array of the public in a variety of settings, and capable of identifying and implementing environmental stewardship projects in ways that are consistent with management plans. This work will, at times, be physically strenuous and will be conducted outdoors in variable weather conditions.
Position Duties and Responsibilities:
- Assist with maintaining popular developed recreation sites and identify ways to improve the sites.
- Make contact with visitors to provide information about recreation regulations, opportunities, and current restrictions.
- Create and design outreach materials, recreation opportunity guides, and information panel inserts for recreation sites.
- Coordinate with partners to facilitate and lead volunteer work days or outreach events.
- Engage partners to facilitate trail project implementation. May include working with pack stock.
- Perform other duties as assigned. May be required to wear FS uniform and drive government vehicles including trailers.
Natural and Physical Work Environment: The Shawnee National Forest includes about 280,000 acres of National Forest System land and is the single largest publicly owned body of land in Illinois. The forest sits at the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio rivers and is rich in history, reflecting the pioneer movement of Americans into the west. Although predominantly oak-hickory, pine was planted in many areas in the past. Swamps contain tupelo and cypress communities. Razorback ridges associated with the Ozark upthrust are found on the west side of the forest; the broader ridges associated with the Shawnee hills are found on the east side of the forest. The Wisconsin glacier stopped north of the Shawnee, so the Grand Prairie (and its corn fields) most associated with the state of Illinois starts 40 miles north of the forest. Additional information about the Forest may be found at the Shawnee National Forest website.
Abilities and Skills:
- The ability to hike many miles with 15 lbs. of equipment
- The ability to operate a federal vehicle is (OHV and ½ ton pickup)
- The ability to input data into an online database utilizing a tablet or laptop
- The ability to utilize microsoft office to write reports and spreadsheets, and publish material
- The ability to work with hand tools
- Trail work experience
Education and Qualifications:
Communications, Education, Forestry, Social Sciences, Resource Management
** Applicants should have personal transportation and must possess a valid U.S. Driver’s License.
