Individual Placement-AmeriCorps

                                                                     

 

 

 

Position Title: USDA Forest Service Backcountry Recreation Trails Technician

Conservation Legacy Program: Southwest Conservation Corps - Four Corners, Durango

Site Location: San Juan National Forest Pagosa Ranger District, 180 Pagosa St.

Pagosa Springs, CO 81147

 

Terms of Service:


* Start Date: 05/04/2026


* End Date: 09/04/2026


* AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 675 Hours

 

Purpose:

This AmeriCorps program partners with the USDA Forest Service staff at local field offices throughout southern Colorado.

This AmeriCorps position is under direct mentorship and technical guidance of the Pagosa Ranger District Forest Service office with additional management, support, and administration from Southwest Conservation Corps.

The USDA Forest Service has an overall mission of “Caring for the Land Serving People.” The San Jaun National Forest encompasses about 1.8 million acres in the beautiful southwest corner of Colorado.

From high-desert mesas to alpine peaks, these lands are managed for multiple uses.

The Pagosa Ranger District manages 585,770 acres of the San Juan National Forest across several counties.

The Recreation Program provides a variety of recreation opportunities in the forest, while supporting locals and visitors in exploring and enjoying their public lands in a safe and respectful way.

 

 

This AmeriCorps position will be integrated alongside the Forest Service Recreation staff and will be part of the backcountry trail crew, completing four day hitches each week.

The Individual Placement (IP) will complete trail maintenance projects in a variety of areas including local district trails as well as Chimney Rock National Monument.

Over 200 miles will be positively impacted through these efforts.

While completing essential trail clearing and infrastructure tasks the crew will also provide an on-the-ground presence in the landscape and ensure locals and visitors alike are following Forest Service rules and regulations.

This will include completing site inspections, make public contacts and educate forest visitors on Leave No Trace ethics.

The goal is to foster quality recreational opportunities for diverse groups of users in the forest, while also responsibly managing overall impacts caused by the recreational use of the public over time.

These trail systems provide great opportunities for locals and visitors to spend time in nature.

The IP will also be exposed to different tracks in this career field and will have the opportunity to network and cross train with other programs that they are interested in for example Wildland Firefighting, Timer, and Wildlife Management.

 

 

Description of Duties:


* Weekly public contact in recreation areas


* Complete site inspections, answer visitor questions and educated visitors on Leave No Trace ethics for recreation


* Complete four-day bac...