OHV Trail Team Member - Tahoe National Forest, Multiple Districts

American Conservation Experience; Foresthill (CA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

American Conservation Experience seeks 6 Trail Team Members to support OHV trail maintenance in Tahoe National Forest. Positions require camping in backcountry, operating hand tools including chainsaws, and working across multiple districts in CA. Living allowance and housing help are provided; travel and field data collection are part of the role.

ASAP start with end date in December 2026. Training includes chainsaw, CPR/First Aid, ATV and crosscut certifications; candidates must be US workers

Qualifications

• Must be authorized to work in the United States.
• Willing to represent ACE and the partner organization professionally.
• Ability to work alone and as part of a group.
• Valid driver's license and insurable driving record.
• 21+ to drive due to insurance requirements.
• Complete bi-weekly timesheets and end-of-term evaluations.
• Learn more about eligibility on ACE's site.

Responsibilities

• Perform trail maintenance on front and backcountry trails.
• Log out trails with chainsaw or crosscut saw; brush and tread work.
• Construct new trails, water bars and retaining features.
• Maintain saws, equipment and gear.
• Use GPS/tablets to collect trail data and inventories.
• Occasionally camp in backcountry to accomplish tasks.

Skills

Trail maintenance

Backcountry camping

Driver's license

Self-directed work

Teamwork

Job description

Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the US Forest Service, is seeking 6 Trail Team Members to contribute to Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) trail maintenance projects alongside Tahoe National Forest Staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Start Date

ASAP (two weeks from offer)

Estimated End Date

December 19, 2026

Location Details/Description

Multiple Location Options

1. Yuba River Ranger District: Nevada City, CA or Camptonville, CA
2. American River District: Foresthill, CA
3. Truckee/Sierraville Districts: Truckee, CA or Sierraville, CA

The Tahoe National Forest is located in the northern Sierra Nevada (east of Sacramento) and extends from the foothills across the Sierra crest to the California state line. It includes over 850,000 acres of public land interspersed with 350,000 acres of private land in a checkerboard ownership pattern. Rivers, snow-capped peaks and dense forests offer outstanding recreation year-round. A complex set of ecosystems are found as the terrain ascends from 1,500 feet along the western boundary to over 9,000 feet along the crest. The forest provides a variety of resources and opportunities and is managed by the Forest Service.

Yuba River Ranger District

The Yuba River Ranger District offices are located in Camptonville, CA and Nevada City, CA. Many employees live in the Nevada City/Grass Valley area (population 20,000) located 25 miles south. Nevada City is a vibrant town alongside Grass Valley, CA with excellent access to trails, ski resorts, and world class rafting and swimming holes. Nevada City has a flourishing arts scene, hosts excellent concerts and music festivals, and has many restaurants and shopping areas. The Sacramento metro area is within an hour's drive for urban amenities.

American River District

The American River Ranger District is located in Foresthill, California. Foresthill is a beautiful mountain community, located 17 miles east of Auburn and Interstate 80. Foresthill is surrounded on the south and west by the Auburn State Recreation Area, on the north by BLM lands, and on the east by National Forest. The American River Ranger District is distinguished with a portion of Granite Chief Wilderness, the North Fork American Wild River and Placer County Big Trees (northernmost grove of Giant Sequoias).

Truckee and Sierraville Ranger Districts

The Truckee Ranger District Office is in Truckee, California on Interstate 80, approximately 35 miles west of Reno, Nevada and 15 miles north of Lake Tahoe. The town elevation varies between 5200 and 7200 feet. Summer temperatures average in the upper 70s/low 80s, while winter temperatures can be as low as 14. Average annual snowfall is more than 200". The population is about 12,600. The Sierraville Ranger District office is located in Sierraville, California, a small town on scenic Highway 89 in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Sierraville is a beautiful community located at approximately 5,000 feet in elevation. Communities within 30 minutes of Sierraville include Truckee, Loyalton, Calpine, and Portola.

For more information, please visit the Tahoe National Forest website.

Position Overview

• Work environment is physically demanding, usually in remote locations with high daytime temperatures.
• Perform trail maintenance on both front and backcountry trails.
• Trail maintenance may consist of logging out trails using either a chainsaw or crosscut saw, brushing, tread repair, repair and maintenance of trail structures such as bridges, steps, and waterbars.
• Construction of new trails, water bars, retaining walls, etc may occur.
• Maintenance of saws, equipment and gear will be required.
• Use of technology such as tablets and GPS systems will be utilized to collect field data such as trail feature inventory, sign inventory, work accomplishments, and resource damage locations. Campsite inventory may also be performed.
• Members that are chosen to perform trails and wilderness ranger duties will be required to camp in the backcountry for multiple nights to accomplish work assignments.
• Trail crew may occasionally work with agency partners.

This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups.

Schedule

Varies by district. Generally four (4) 10-hour days from 6:00am-4:30pm.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance

The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $800/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

Housing

Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or USFS. Up to $275/wk housing reimbursement will be available to help offset the cost of housing. USFS Barracks may be available. Local candidates are encouraged to apply.

Gear Allowance

ACE members will have up to $125 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes boots, socks, work pants, etc., and must be approved by ACE staff prior to purchase.

Provided Training/Orientation

ACE members will receive position specific training and an orientation outlining ACE policies and procedures, clear guidance on prohibited activities, and networks for support. Specific training may include Chainsaw, CPR/First Aid, ATV, Dirtbike, Crosscut certifications, opportunities may also include training in mechanized trail equipment (mini-excavator/trail dozer).

Qualifications

If you meet at least 70 percent of the qualifications, we want to hear from you!

Required

• Members must be authorized to work in the United States. ACE does not provide sponsorship for employment visas.
• Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.
• Ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group.
• A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
• Members must be 21+ to drive due to ACE's insurance and liability requirements.
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required criminal history checks
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• ACE Members will need to complete bi-weekly timesheets, beginning of term feedback forms, end of term evaluations and for longer terms, a mid-term evaluation.
• Member may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website located on our Indeed homepage.

Preferred

• Ability and willingness to hike 10+ miles in a variety of potentially harsh environmental conditions and for camp in a backcountry or front country setting.
• Competitive applicants for this position have relevant experience in trail maintenance or construction, landscaping or similar experiences.
• Knowledge of trails maintenance and construction methods.
• Ability to work outdoors and at high elevation while using and transporting a variety of hand tools including crosscut saws, chainsaws, shovels, rakes, loppers, power tools, rigging, etc.
• Deep interest in outdoor recreational pursuits and being a productive part of a team.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, hiking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talking and hearing. Manual dexterity required for use of various tools. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Ability to hike over rough terrain, and camp overnight under field conditions.
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 20 lbs., ability to move up to 50 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
• Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise such as gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools.
• Travel: This position may require overnight camping.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards

The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland conditions, biting insects, and potentially dangerous wildlife. The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/members or resources. Specific hazards may include working in steep hot canyons, working within post fire burn perimeter along narrow precipitous terrain.

Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety

If a vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties, one will be provided by the USFS. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the USFS. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the USFS, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to USFS and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required.

ACE participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information when you are hired to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

EEO: Employment or Service with ACE is based upon ability, qualifications, attitude, and job-related factors. Every qualified employee, member, or applicant has the same opportunity for recruitment, hire, training, transfer, promotion, compensation, demotion, termination, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, creed, national origin, pregnancy, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information, veteran or military status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, medical condition, marital or parental status, political affiliation, ethnicity, hair texture or style, arrest record, caste, hereditary status, endogamy, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, or federal law.