Overview

Position Location: Gunnison, CO

Colorado Mountain Club is accepting applications for a Wilderness Stewardship Fellow position in the Gunnison District of the GMUG National Forest. The CMC Steward will utilize CMC’s RIMS mobile app to collect data on visitor use to support Gunnison District in inventorying and monitoring opportunities for solitude in the district’s Fossil Ridge Wilderness. Each assessment will include GPS coordinates, metrics on the type of visitor use, and photos. The position will collect data on the visitor use, and opportunities for solitude while recreating and camping in the Wilderness area. The position will recruit, train and engage volunteers and coordinate volunteer service projects. 

Applicants should have a strong desire to actively engage in a conservation-focused program that will train, challenge and support participants’ growth and development in their pursuit of meaningful careers in the conservation field. The position will be directly trained and supervised by Forest Service personnel.

Position Responsibilities

• Utilize CMC’s RIMS mobile app for inventorying and monitoring visitor use.
• Recruit, engage and train volunteers and coordinate volunteer service projects.
• Coordinate logistics with land management agency personnel.
• Positively interact with all user groups of public lands throughout the region.
• Communicate with agency personnel, CMC staff, project partners and volunteers in a timely manner.
• Efficiently complete trail and conservation projects in a variety of environmental conditions, including adverse weather and terrain.
• Complete paperwork assigned by agency personnel and CMC staff.
• Compile reports of the RIMS data collected.
• Utilize and engage in USFS and CMC risk management strategies.

Qualifications

• Physically fit and able to work long days in adverse conditions.
• Excellent organization skills.
• Ability to work both independently and as a team member.
• Capacity to professionally communicate in complex situations.
• Ability to adapt and adjust to changing work conditions and/or priorities.
• Good driving record, must hold a valid driver’s license and have a personal vehicle for work travel (mileage will be reimbursed at the rate of $0.57/mile).
• Frequently required to walk, sit, talk and listen.
• Ability to occasionally lift and/or move up to 60 pounds.
• Ability to hike in steep, rugged and remote terrain up to 15 miles per day.
• Must be able to speak, understand, read and write English.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with conservation work such as trail work, restoration work, etc.
• Wilderness medicine training.
• Experience teaching, facilitating and team-building with diverse groups of people.
• Participation in outdoor activities, work, lifestyle and/or pursuits.
• Knowledge of land management agencies operations and expectations.
• Bachelor’s degree and/or college coursework with a focus on natural resources.

Time Commitment & Compensation

• Pay: $18/hour
• Program Duration: *Seasonal*, 12 weeks of work, June through September 2022.
• Project Staging Area: GMUG -Gunnison Ranger District
• Project Locations: Fossil Ridge Wilderness
• Hours: 40/week (field-based)
• Work environment: 100% outdoor, field-based work with exposure to remote work and camp locations, inclement weather, and extensive physical work duties. Worksites are frequently in the backcountry and may require backpacking into the worksite. This position will focus primarily on completing solitude monitoring, including camping.
• Status: Position(s) will remain open until filled.

How to Apply

Please send a cover letter, resume and three professional references to kendallchastain@cmc.org. 

CMC provides equal employment opportunities to all people regardless of race, age, sex, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion or any other basis protected by law. *A seasonal worker is defined as a person who works for an employer who conducts business only during a defined period of time. Seasonal workers may also be hired in an occupation that operates only for a defined period of time. The season as defined by this job position is May through August 2022. Seasonal workers cannot collect unemployment benefits based on wages paid for the seasonal employment unless they are out of work during the specified season. Seasonal workers who work outside the season are no longer considered seasonal workers and may be able to collect unemployment benefits based on the seasonal wages.