Position Title: Forestry Technician (Recreation) Individual Placement – 680 HR
Position Summary:
The Idaho Panhandle National Forest, St. Joe Ranger District is recruiting one 680 Hour (17 Week) Forestry Technician (Recreation) Individual Placement beginning May through September 2026. Incumbents will primarily serve in a frontline visitor contact position serving the public at the Emerald Creek Garnet Area, answering questions, and assisting forest visitors. The Emerald Creek Garnet Area is a unique forest recreation site that allows visitors and families to dig for Star Garnets. They are a rare gem found at the Garnet Area and only one other place in the world, India.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Duties will include ensuring that visitors have a fun, safe, and educational visit. This is accomplished by orienting visitors to the site, explaining procedures, assisting diggers, and administering the reservation system. This work also involves site maintenance and facility improvement. (60%)
Working alongside district recreation staff on completing regular duties. This will include recreation site maintenance, campground checks and visitor contacts, patrols, trail projects, assisting during wildland fires, and other duties as assigned by recreation staff. These assignments will enable the Individual Placement to be introduced to the wide variety of work performed in the recreation branch of the forest and provide and excellent overview of working for the U.S. Forest Service. (40%)
Required Qualifications:
- Ages 18-30 (up to 35 for veterans)
- U.S. Citizen or lawful, permanent resident
- Must pass a background/driver check
- Must have a high school diploma or GED
- Willingness to work as part of a team
- Good written and verbal communication skills
- A positive attitude
- Current driver’s license
- Ability to lift and carry 50lbs
- Ability and interest to work outdoors in remote settings and inclement weather on uneven ground
- Personal vehicle
Desired Qualifications:
- Attention to detail
- Experience or interest in speaking to public groups
- Desire to work with around children and family groups
- Willingness to work hard and get dirty
- Coursework in natural resources, geology, forestry, or related field
- A strong interest in resource management, public lands and visitor services
Duty/Housing Location:
Duties are performed out of the St. Joe Ranger District Office located in St. Maries, Idaho. Housing options are «The Riverside Suites Hotel» that feature one- and two-bedroom units furnished with kitchenettes, and/or home rentals listed at local real estate agents (more spendy, and less likely). Due to the remote location, there is no public transportation so personal transportation is required
Terms of Employment:
One Individual Placement will complete a term of service (length dependent on commitment of hours), starting May 2026 through September 2026. The member must complete a minimum of 680 service hours by the end of their term.
Program Benefits:
Individual Placements will earn $10,800 living allowance dispersed on a monthly basis throughout the 17 weeks. The position also includes a $500 gear reimbursement and a housing fund is available.
The living allowance is taxable. Individual Placements are responsible for providing their own food. Service eligibility is contingent upon the results of a criminal background check.
Application Instructions
Application Deadline: April 31st, 2026
Interviews: Will occur as qualified applications are received.
Type of position: Individual Placement
Service Dates: May 2026 – September 2026
Length of Term: 680 Hours (17 Weeks)
Additional Information
If you have questions about the position, please reach out to the Interns department at interns@nwyouthcorps.org, or St. Joe Ranger District’s Developed Recreation Manager Mike Frost at robert.m.frost@usda.gov
All job offers are contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background check (criminal history and driving history).