Forestry Technician (River Ranger)

American Meteorological Society; Moab (UT); On-site; USD 25,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Utah Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry, Fire & State Lands (FFSL) seeks seasonal Forestry Technicians to support river ranger duties on Green and Colorado Rivers during summer 2027. Field assignments involve long days in desert conditions and 10-hour work shifts.

You will work in small teams, perform habitat patrols, campsite maintenance, and public education while learning restoration and invasive species control techniques.

Qualifications

• Understanding of river resources and hydrologic processes.
• "Leave No Trace" desert river ethics.
• River safety awareness and best practices.
• Knowledge of Green & Colorado Rivers regulations and policies.
• Ability to work in backcountry/wilderness river settings.

Responsibilities

• Conduct field patrols and monitor river resources.
• Maintain campsites and beaches.
• Educate visitors about responsible river recreation.
• Operate river craft and support vehicles as needed.
• Collaborate with partner agencies on projects.
• Record data using GIS and field notes.

Skills

Whitewater rafting

Conservation work

Public interaction

River navigation

Job description

The Utah Department of Natural Resources: Division of Forestry, Fire & State Lands (FFSL) is hiring seasonal Forestry Technicians for the summer 2027 season. FFSL manages sections of the Colorado & Green Rivers to protect the values of Navigability, Recreation, Habitat, Water Quality, and Scenery.

The FFSL Sovereign Lands River Ranger team spends their weeks in the field working one-on-one with habitat specialists and river managers to conduct resource patrols, maintain campsites and beaches, curtail the spread of noxious species, and educate visitors about responsible river recreation.

These positions are an excellent opportunity for people with whitewater rafting experience to learn how proactive river management maintains and improves the river corridor; or for a person with conservation experience to learn the ins-and-outs of applying those skills in the backcountry river trip setting.

The FFSL River Ranger’s schedule is fieldwork intensive. Our team spends over 100 days in the field each season, more than half of those being overnight assignments. Tents, sleeping pads, and dry bags are provided. Work days are 10 hours long, not to exceed 40 hours in one week. We typically assume a 4-on 3-off; or 8-on 6-off schedule. The river ranger team suspends work for 4 weeks during the hottest part of the summer (typically August) when arduous labor in the desert is not advised.

FFSL is committed to the professional development of our employees. We may choose to offer training in wildland firefighting, swiftwater rescue, chainsaw operation, OHV operation, etc. depending on Agency needs.

Duties will include:

• working together in small teams on both one-day and week-long river trips focused on conservation and vegetation managementlong hours of manual labor in intense desert heat
• representing the agency in public interactions
• operating a whitewater raft within potentially Class IV whitewater
• operating an outboard motor through flatwater
• driving a 4x4 truck and towing boats and other heavy equipment trailers on backcountry roads
• safely operating chainsaws and applying herbicide
• using powered and hand tools such as trimmers, chippers, shovels, saws, axes, sifters, rock bars, and hammers
• collection of conservation data using analogue notation, GIS software and photography
• ensuring campsite cleanliness/sanitation
• communicating via VHF radio
• navigating backcountry and wilderness rivers with a high level of situational awareness
• interfacing with the public to answer questions and demonstrate conservation best practices
• working with partner agency staff to ensure program cooperation

Qualified applicants will understand:

• the river’s resources and basic hydrologic processes
• "Leave No Trace" principles and ethics for desert river environments
• river safety awareness
• river management rules, regulations and policies specific to the Green & Colorado Rivers
• restoration practices and techniques needed to address impacts
• non-enforcement strategies to educate the public
• ecosystem assessment techniques, including invasive species monitoring
• river recreation sampling techniques

Qualified applicants will be able to:

• effectively communicate with river corridor users and private landowners
• act decisively and calmly under conditions of emotional and physical duress
• safely navigate in a Class IV river setting using human- and motor-powered rafts
• implement revegetation or other restoration techniques
• identify project needs based upon field observations
• identify, monitor, and treat invasive species
• work with volunteers and partners on project work
• conduct ecosystem assessments and river recreation sampling