Natural History Wanderings

We are looking for not one, but TWO Next Generation Rangers to be Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) Crew Leaders for our upcoming summer program.

Next Generation Rangers (who must be 18 to 30 years old) will help mentor, guide and manage 10 YCC crew members. The YCC is an 8-week co-ed youth employment program for 16 -18 year-olds that Saguaro hosts in the summer months of June and July. Throughout the season you will help guide and participate in a variety of conservation projects (from help with trail maintenance to resource management studies), environmental education, and outdoor recreation.

You will work and explore all over Saguaro National Park – throughout the front and backcountry, in the desert lowlands and the forested mountains. Be prepared to live, work, and camp in the great outdoors, conditions may be rugged. Workdays require hiking, carrying a backpack weighing up to 40lbs, and other strenuous activities, so physical fitness is required.

Candidates will be considered if they have past experiences in completing trail/conservation work and management skills. Being able to work in a team environment, effective communication skills, adaptability and flexibility are all necessary traits. Ideally, candidates will hold an interest in mentoring the youth, be knowledgeable on the Sonoran Desert landscape, and have interest or experience in education. Crew leaders will provide logistical and safety support for the day-to-day operations of the program.

A commitment of 12 weeks is mandatory, with positions starting mid-May and ending the first week of August. There will be three weeks of training for the crew leaders prior to the start of the YCC program.

We are accepting applications from Mid-January – March. Job description is posted at https://www.nps.gov/…/next-generation-ranger-corps.htm.

Sound like your dream job? Send a resume to christina_cultrara@nps.gov.