Job Announcement
Salmon-Challis National Forest
Conservation Education Resources Assistant
Please Respond By: April 21, 2017
Address: Challis - Yankee Fork Ranger District
311 N. US Highway 93 Challis, ID 83226
The Northwest Youth Corps (NYC) in partnership with the Salmon-Challis National Forest is advertising for a
Conservation Education Resource Assistant (RA). This is a 6 month (24 weeks) full-time work experience
from approximately May to through October 2017. Created in 1984, and modeled after the Civilian
Conservation Corps of the 1930’s, NYC is a non-profit job training and experiential education program for
youth and young adults to learn and work in the field of natural resource management. NYC will recruit and
hire the selected RA candidate providing personnel and Human Resources (HR) needs during the
placement. www.nwyouthcorps.org
If you have questions about this Internship, please reach Northwest Youth Corps Internship Director Jay
Runte, [email protected] 541-743-8590 or Intermountain Region Interpretation Program Manager
Carol Ryan, [email protected] 801-625-5171.
The Position
The Forest Service partners with Idaho State Parks and Recreation, Land of the Yankee Fork Historical
Association (Custer), and the Dredge Historical Association to interpret and preserve the settlement and
mining history in the Yankee Fork River drainage. The ghost town of Custer as well as the Yankee Fork Gold
Dredge receive thousands of visitors each year, making this area among the Forest’s busiest (if not the
busiest) day use sites. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, this intern will be at the town site to assist
volunteers, Forest, and State personnel in welcoming visitors and interpreting the history of the area for
them. Tours as well as a slide show are provided to all visitors. Site interpreters also spend countless hours
teaching the art of gold panning to young and old alike.
Assignments for this intern during their entire experience would include:
 Working on cataloging artifacts with a plan for exhibiting them on a rotating schedule into the
collection displayed at Custer as well as at the State’s interpretive Center.
 A complete reworking of the slide show used for visitors at the townsite. We would like to improve the
technology and ability to present the slide show at this remote location.
 Working with the State on various educational programs they provide to schools and to the local
community. This would include planning new projects as well as participating in ones already
scheduled.
 Fine tune the “walking tour” brochure in light of the newer interpretive signs around town and decide if
the numbered stops are still relevant.
 Since the dredge volunteers are now asking folks to “self-guide” may provide input into a stand-alone
brochure for that site.


Create a mobile tour of the area that folks could download with segments on State Park in Challis,
Bayhorse, Custer Motorway, Custer and Bonanza townsites, the cemeteries, and the Dredge. (One
tour, or several chapters that could be downloaded independently)
Update some of the displays (specifically the one inside the assay building) to get it ready for
fabrication of a new narrative display
Qualifications:
 A background in education or interpretation. Formal or informal experience in teaching or public
programming in history, wildlife biology, natural resources, or a related field preferred.
 Upper level or recent college graduate.
 Driver’s license required.
 Strongly prefer experience developing and conducting inquiry- based programs.
 Prefer experience correlating programs with national and state educational standards.
 Prefer experience working with the general public and children in indoor and outdoor settings.
 Excellent written and oral communication skills.
 Excellent organizational and computer skills.
 An independent, self-motivated, creative, and resourceful individual able to work with diverse
groups of people.
 Ability to speak Spanish a plus.
Program Benefits
 NYC will provide RA a prorated stipend of $14,400.00 or$120.00 per day along with health care coverage
(if needed), workers compensation, and FICA/Medicare.
 RA will have special Federal Government hiring authority for 2 years upon completion of their 960 hours
of service.
 Housing will be provided at nearby Bonanza Guard Station (www.fs.usda.gov/detail/scnf/aboutforest/districts/?cid=fsbdev3_029544)
Position Requirements
 A desire to serve and promote public land stewardship and an ethic of service.
 Communicate and interact in a positive, professional manner with various populations such as:
project partner(s), colleagues, community volunteers, youth, and the general public.
 A commitment to the goals of the US Forest Service.
 A cooperative manner and the ability to serve as part of a team.
 The ability to work independently.
 A willingness to ask questions for clarification and job completion.
 Work a flexible schedule, including weekends during the summer, and some evenings. .
 Ability to commit to the full term of service.
 Valid driver’s license and good driving record. Drive government vehicle as required for position.
 Must successfully pass a fingerprint criminal history background check provided through PCEI.
 U.S. citizen, national or lawful permanent resident.
 Possession of a college degree, or near completion.
 Regular and reliable attendance and dependability.
 Ability to live at remote station during the summer months. Cell and internet service is limited to only
one of the sites and not available at lodging. Bonanza Guard Station is 20 miles from the nearest
town of Stanley, Idaho.
About the Salmon-Challis National Forest
Covering over 4.3 million acres of east-central Idaho, individuals have the opportunity to enjoy the natural
landscapes of the Continental Divide, the vast, 2.3 million acres of the Frank Church-- River of No Return
Wilderness, the newly designated Jim McClure-Jerry Peak Wilderness, the snow-covered cap of the tallest
peak in Idaho, Borah Peak, or the free-flowing waters of the Wild & Scenic Salmon River and the Middle Fork
of the Salmon River.The Salmon-Challis National Forest is rich with history as evidenced through the
numerous rock shelters displaying pictographs and from what are now ghost towns of the mining days. The
Sheepeater Indians of the Shoshone Tribe were among the first to populate this remote region; living along
the river banks, they would often share their bountiful fishing and hunting grounds with the Nez Perce and
Flathead Indians. In the early 1800’s, the Lewis and Clark Expedition crossed the continental divide into
unchartered territory; and through the help of Indian guides Toby and Sacajawea (who was born in Lemhi
County of the Salmon Challis National Forest), they opened the west to trappers, fur traders, miners,
ranchers, lumbermen, and missionaries. Today, visitors can view remnants of history as they explore the
mining ghost towns found in Mackay, Gilmore, Custer, Leesburg, and Yankee Fork; hike a portion of the
Lewis and Clark Trail; or view pictographs while floating down one of the Salmon Rivers.
About Challis, Idaho:
Challis is the ideal base camp for recreating in the vast 3 million acres of Custer County. Friendly locals
in this town of 1,000 will direct you to adventures. And if you are fortunate, one of them may even reveal
the location of a favorite fishing hole. Locals consider themselves lucky to live here with diverse natural
beauty, absence of crowds and exceptional recreation. Public lands recreation abounds with hunting,
fishing and pack trips into the White Cloud Mountains and Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness.
The White Clouds with soaring peaks over 10,000 feet and mountain lakes tucked beneath are one of
Idaho's last great places. Climb Idaho's highest peak, Mt. Borah, and other lofty peaks in the Lost River
Range.
Community Information: http://www.challischamber.com/
Salmon-Challis National Forest Information: https://www.fs.usda.gov/scnf
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination on all its programs and activities on the basis of
race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family
status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for
communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center
at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil
Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call
(202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Application Instructions
Below
_____________________________________________________________________________
Application Deadline: April 7, 2017
Interviews: Will occur as qualified applications are received.
Type of position: Individual Placement
Service Dates May – December 2017
Length of Term: 120 days
How to apply:
Please submit a cover letter, resume, and three professional references in attention to:
Jay Runte - Internship Director
[email protected]
Northwest Youth Corps
2621 Augusta Street
Eugene, OR 97403
Fax: 541-349-5060