Coronado National Forest – Sierra Vista Ranger District

Position Details

Stewards Individual Placement Program (Stewards) provides individuals with service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and preserve our natural resources. Participants work with federal agencies, tribal governments, and nonprofits building institutional capacity, developing community relationships, and supporting ecosystem health.

Stewards, in partnership with the Coronado National Forest, are seeking a Resource Assistant (RA) to be supervised and mentored by the Forest Public Affairs Officer (PAO). The RA will be exposed to the duties, responsibilities, and opportunities of working in public affairs for a partner-oriented national forest.

The RA will serve as the Forest's link between partners across the landscape focusing on collaboration with partners while learning about multiple projects and activities. The objective is to tell the Forest’s story and share out through various formats (e.g., digital, hard copy, storyboards, etc.). As a trainee under the Forest PAO, the RA will perform specific assignments to acquire developmental experience for higher-level public affairs duties and responsibilities. Telling the restoration stories and sharing out this information will benefit all - partners, employees, and the local communities.

The Sierra Vista Ranger District, within the Coronado National Forest, features a robust and forward-thinking restoration program. The Forest serves a diverse, multi-cultural community along the United States-Mexico border.

Position Responsibilities will include:

• Develop experience in various phases of public affairs.
  • Participate in planning, organizing, and executing information, external relations, public involvement, and environmental education activities.
• Prepare informational releases for Forest partners regarding Forest-wide restoration work.
  • Meet with Forest employees to gather restoration project work information in various formats (written, electronic, photographic, etc.), focusing on restoration work occurring in the Fort Huachuca Sentinel Landscape; work funded by the Joint Chiefs Award; High-Risk Firesheds; or overall supports the Wildland Crisis Strategy.
  • Meet with Forest partners to learn their missions, roles, responsibilities, and functions as it relates to the Coronado National Forest’s restoration work.
  • Gather information from Forest employees and partners for informational releases.
  • Prepare draft information for the Forest PAO’s review to be published on the Forest’s social media platforms, sent to the press, broadcast over the radio or television, or shared with local schools/universities.
• Draft pamphlets, brochures, booklets, etc. as directed, and support final document publication.
  • Create written materials in draft form for the Forest PAO’s review and final publication.
• Draft required Forest partner reporting documents for the Partnerships Program Manager’s review and finalization.
  • Create written/digital materials in draft form, for PAO’s review and finalization, which are necessary requirements of Forest partners.
• Prepare audio-visual programs, according to instructions, for both specific presentations and for broad repeated use.
  • Create audio-visual programs for specific needs and for broad, repeated use, after review by the Forest PAO.

Minimum Requirements:

• Must have a valid driver’s license and be insurable by Conservation Legacy (over 21 years old or driver’s license for at least three years).
• Demonstrated experience in communication or other disciplines that require a strong writing background.
• Ability to obtain an associate degree or higher before the end of the term to be eligible for Direct Hire Authority.

Preferred Requirements:

• Interest in public affairs or communicating with the public.
• Ability and comfortable with driving long distances.

Benefits:

• $1,000.00/month living allowance. (pre-tax)
• $50/monthly commuting allowance. (pre-tax)
• $2750.00 Professional Development and Travel fund.
• On-the-job training related to position responsibilities, including 508 Compliance, design software, website editing, social media content development, and photo/video storytelling.

• The USFS Resource Assistant Program (RAP) is a rigorous, immersive, paid internship providing developmental and training opportunities for individuals interested in learning more about Forest Service careers. After completing a minimum of 960 hours of satisfactory work and an associate degree, RA’s may acquire a two-year certificate of non-competitive hiring eligibility. The certificate enables participants to apply to internal merit announcements for qualifying permanent General Schedule FS positions as well as a Direct Hire Authority for FS Career positions.

How to Apply
Apply online at: https://stewardslegacy.org/open-positions. In addition to your resume, please submit a one-page cover letter highlighting why you are interested in this position and how your background and experience will help you succeed in this position.

Application Questions: Please contact Roddy Cobb Jr. at rcobb@conservationlegacy.org for any questions.

Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to hiring a breadth of diverse professionals and encourage members of diverse groups to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, political affiliation, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.