Overview
Do you want to help protect and restore remote and beautiful corners of the Colorado Plateau?
The Grand Canyon Trust (www.grandcanyontrust.org) runs many stewardship and restoration projects throughout the field season (April through October). We’re looking for a passionate, positive, and detail-oriented individual to support and care for volunteers on these trips.
Projects range from one to five days in length, on weekdays and weekends, and may include fence building, stream restoration, pulling weeds, and more. This job requires long hours in the field, camping for up to five days at a time and maintaining a positive presence among volunteers. You will co-lead trips with Trust staff and typically be joined by federal agency partners or tribal partners.
What does this position entail?
– Help in all aspects of trip implementation: review menu, shop for food, pack gear, manage risk, engage with volunteers, prepare meals, and share knowledge.
– Participate in data collection and restoration projects, serving as a role model of excellent work ethic and inclusivity.
– Demonstrate outstanding people skills, including the ability to read social cues and support positive group dynamics.
– Maintain a level head throughout inclement weather, difficult situations, and interactions with volunteers.
– Be in good physical shape with the ability to: walk on uneven, off-trail terrain; carry 20-30 pounds; and hike long distances (up to 10 miles a day).
– Drive a four-wheel-drive truck responsibly on all types of road conditions, including poorly maintained dirt roads.
What might you learn along the way?
– You will learn about local ecology, research, lawsuits, and policies relevant to our work at the Grand Canyon Trust.
– You will gain skills in data collection and restoration techniques, and be an integral part of a regional nonprofit focused on environmental advocacy.
– You will learn outdoor trip-leading skills with a supportive team.
– You will build a network of fellow environmental conservationists with shared values of stewardship and volunteerism.
Compensation and benefits
$23 per hour. This is not a benefit-eligible position, but individuals accrue sick leave during their internships (about two days) and receive a $500 housing stipend, a $250 travel allowance, and a $200 professional development stipend.
Employment term
This is a 28-week position, beginning on April 3, 2024, and ending around October 20, 2024. The field tech intern will work only during volunteer trips, usually with a day on each end to pack and unpack gear. There will be approximately 11 overnight trips (three to five days each), and 12 day trips throughout the 28 weeks. Almost all work will be done in a backcountry environment.
Qualifications:
Current Wilderness First Responder certification or willingness to complete the certification prior to leading trips.
Experience managing risk for groups in wilderness settings.
Experience leading groups outdoors in which individuals may have varying backgrounds and skill levels.
Excellent customer service and communication skills.
Commitment to lead with humility when entering communities and working with diverse cultures.
Preferred Skills:
Willingness to stay energized and positive and take on challenging tasks with ease and a good attitude.
Knowledge of river trip kitchen and “groover” systems.
Ability to maintain and fix gear.
Ability to anticipate, troubleshoot, and solve challenging problems when and if they arise.
Ability to work in areas without cell service or access to other forms of electronic communication.
About Grand Canyon Trust
Mission: To safeguard the wonders of the Grand Canyon and the Colorado Plateau, while supporting the rights of its Native peoples.
Confession time: We’re biased. We think the Southwest is the greatest place in the world, and we aim to keep it that way.
The Grand Canyon Trust has been a leading voice in regional conservation for more than 30 years. From improving air quality around the Grand Canyon to helping win national monument protections in southern Utah, the Trust works tirelessly to protect the Colorado Plateau’s remarkable landscapes.
We are a non-profit conservation organization dedicated to making sure the region’s natural wonders, communities, and cultures thrive. We’re in it for the long haul, and we hope you are too.
