North Zone Recreation Technician

position Title: North Zone Recreation Technician (Position description PDF)

Position Service Site: Ottawa National Forest, Kenton Ranger Station (Kenton, MI)

Service Time: April 27 – August 29, 2026 (675-Hour AmeriCorps Term, 18 Weeks, 40 Hours/Week)

Benefits: Living stipend total for the whole term = $9,000 ($500/Week). An AmeriCorps education Award of approximately $2,800 will be awarded upon successful service completion. $175 WisCorps boot reimbursement.

Onsite shared housing is available. Members should be prepared to live communally with other people.

OVERVIEW: The Ottawa National Forest is located in the Western Upper Peninsula of Michigan on over one million acres of land. The area is known for its remote character, picturesque lakes and streams, vast northern hardwood forests, and abundant wildlife. The Ottawa National Forest offers numerous recreational opportunities including high-quality stream and lake fishing, deer and small-game hunting, canoeing, kayaking, mountain biking, hiking, birding, cross-country and downhill skiing, and more. The Ottawa National Forest contains numerous glacial lakes, which are home to bald eagles, ospreys, loons, smallmouth and largemouth bass, walleye, northern pike, and other native fish and wildlife species. Three designated Wilderness Areas lie within this area– Sylvania, McCormick, and the Sturgeon River Gorge, each offering its own unique features.

SERVICE DESCRIPTION: The North Zone Recreation Technician will be based out of the Kenton Ranger Station and will be primarily focused on the maintenance of trails and recreation areas within the North Zone. The Technician will serve on the North Zone Trails Crew, which is a demanding role that requires lifting and hiking with tool packs weighing up to 50 pounds while performing trail maintenance as encountered along the trail. The Trail Crew may take overnight trips encompassing complex trail and campsite projects, including in backcountry wilderness areas. Major Trail Crew responsibilities include removing obstacles in the trail and performing backcountry tree and shrub removal using chainsaws, hand saws, crosscut saws, and axes.

Additionally, the Technician will assist with daily maintenance, repairs, and project work at developed recreation sites, including Camp Nesbit, using hand tools, mowers, weed whips, and various types of power tools. Monitoring and inventory work may also be conducted to support the objectives outlined in the Forest Plan. The WisCorps member may also assist with data input and collection in the field using a tablet or GPS device. Daily service is typically conducted in an outdoor setting with a small crew in a wide range of weather conditions.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Monitor the condition and use of trails, perform maintenance to standards, and report issues.
• Assist with monitoring wilderness areas for use and maintenance needs, and report any issues found.
• Use initiative to carry out recurring assignments independently. Detailed instructions are provided for new assignments. Unfamiliar situations or deviations from established practices are referred to the supervisor.
• Complete backcountry maintenance of hiking trails, campsites, and portages using crosscut saws, axes, etc.
• Monitor campgrounds, day use areas, and other recreation use areas and report and correct safety issues.
• Perform routine activities at Camp Nesbit and other recreation areas including maintenance, monitoring, clean-up, issues reporting, and simple construction projects for Recreation sites. Day-to-day maintenance includes:
• Mowing, trimming, tree clearing, and debris pick-up
• Cleaning and maintaining fire rings, campsites, bathrooms, beaches, and other facilities.
• Assist the public with questions related to camping and recreation opportunities on the district.
• The WisCorps member may on rare occasions take part in overnight trips to maintain backcountry wilderness sites involving complex portage and campsite projects where the main mode of travel is by canoe and on foot.

HOUSING:

• If housing is available, members should be prepared to live in communal housing with other staff.
• Housing accommodations will be assigned based on availability and need by Ottawa National Forest staff.
• Members must inform staff of any housing preferences or required accommodations.
• Members should expect to have 0-5 roommates in a shared house, and no pets are allowed.
• Housing accommodations may include a private, locking dorm room with a twin bed and limited closet space.
• Shared living spaces may include a large living and dining room, laundry, a full kitchen, and two bathrooms.
• Housing may be located within 30 miles of Iron River, MI, and Eagle River, WI, which offer several amenities. This housing option would require a daily commute of 30 miles to the Kenton Ranger Station to report for service.
• A secondary housing option, depending on availability, would offer a shorter commute to the Kenton Ranger Station but is located about 30 miles further from the nearest city. Most towns in this area are small and rural.
• Mileage to and from the housing accommodation and placement site headquarters is not reimbursable.

TRAININGS OFFERED:

• Cross Cut Saw, Chainsaw Safety, and ATV/UTV certifications
• First Aid/CPR training
• Defensive Driving and Safe Trailer Use trainings
• Radio/SPOT device and Avenza mapping software trainings
• WisCorps will provide NOLS Wilderness First Aid and Chainsaw Safety trainings

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum age requirement is 18 years old
• A citizen of the United States, a United States national, or a legal permanent resident of the United States
• Able to work independently and as part of a team
• Excellent communication skills
• Understanding of or willingness to learn various conservation practices
• Passionate about outdoor recreation
• Must possess a valid driver’s license, and a reliable personal vehicle is recommended
• Physical demands and service environment regularly require the service member to be outdoors in wooded areas and on uneven natural paths, often in the presence of biting insects
• Physically able to work long days outside in seasonal inclement weather, hiking on and off trail
• Able to carry up to 50 pounds of equipment with carrying, lifting, stooping, and bending
• Ability to serve in a variety of weather conditions such as temperatures ranging from below freezing to over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, high winds, intense sunshine, rain, and high humidity
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation
• Ability to multitask and shift schedule and priorities to meet changing conditions
• Upon hire, a criminal background check will be conducted. Service with WisCorps will be considered probationary until all results are returned and have been reviewed

WisCorps provides equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran per applicable federal, state, and local laws. We are committed to assuring equal employment opportunity and equal access to services, programs, and activities for persons with disabilities. If you have a disability and need to access information in an alternative format, or need it translated into another language, please contact us by phone at 608-782-2494, by email at staff@wiscorps.org, or dial Wisconsin Relay 711.