Pinedale, WY

Position Title: Wilderness Stewardship Monitor

Organization: Wyoming Wilderness Association

Location: Pinedale, WY

Position Overview: WWA is seeking a dynamic and motivated individual to serve as a wilderness monitor and lead our seasonal volunteer and data collection efforts in the Gros Ventre & Bridger Wilderness areas. While this position is primarily focused on solitude monitoring, part of our broader Wilderness Stewardship Performance program coordinated with the Bridger-Teton National Forest & Friends of the Bridger-Teton, other monitoring efforts may be needed, including site condition class and trails monitoring. Working closely with the Associate Director (AD), this individual will plan and lead on-site trainings for citizen-scientists into the Bridger and southern Gros Ventre Wilderness areas, assist with community and virtual trainings, directly collect solitude and other data as needed by Wilderness managers, and organize data submitted from volunteers. This position can qualify as partial or full-time internship, although hours needed for a full internship may be unpaid. Solitude monitoring work will follow a modified version of the Troy Hall national minimum solitude monitoring standards (Solitude Minimum Protocol Version 1.1) accepted by the USDA Forest Service to monitor visitor encounter trends. Site condition class will follow the Sidney S. Frissell condition class monitoring standards (General Technical Report INT-176) accepted by the USDA Forest Service to monitor wilderness campsites.

Duties:

• Collaborate with AD and USFS partners to safely conduct solitude monitoring in remote, backcountry settings
• Collect other Wilderness Stewardship Performance data, as needed by Wilderness managers
• Perform data entry on written forms in field or via tablet/smart phone
• Communicate regularly with AD, USFS, and partner organizations regarding data collection and volunteer trainings
• Organize and lead 3 – 4 on-site trainings for volunteers into Wilderness areas
• Organize and enter data from direct and volunteer collections into database
• Provide relevant content to WWA’s Communications Director for social media posts, other communications, and grant reports
• Attend weekly virtual WWA staff calls, as available

Qualifications:

• Experience with data or monitoring collection efforts and/or data collection classes taken in pursuit of an advanced degree in environmental science or education, biology, natural or cultural resource management or a related field
• Experience leading day and overnight trips into active grizzly and black bear habitat
• Knowledge of the region, including the unique socio-political landscape
• Ability to plan, sustain and execute self-supported backpacking trips (2-3 days) into Wilderness areas
• Ability to hike up to 10 miles per day carrying a backpack weighing up to 1/3 of the incumbent’s body weight at elevations up to or exceeding 10,000 ft.
• Ability to manage exposure to environmental factors including snow, rain, wind, biting insects, high wind, steep terrain, and diminished visibility for extended durations of time
• Above average backcountry navigation skills
• Ability to communicate and follow check-in procedures on a USDA Forest Service supplied two-way radio or satellite Messenger device
• Ability to work collaboratively with agency partners and volunteers
• Valid state issued driver’s license and reliable transportation to access trailheads on forest roads
• Wilderness First Responder or Wilderness First Aid certification
• Strong written, analytical, and verbal communication skills
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice

Start/End Dates: Mid-June through Mid-September, 2024

Salary/Pay: Weekly stipend ($650) plus mileage for personal vehicle use & partial cell phone reimbursement

Application Deadline: April 8, 2024 (end of day)

How to Apply: To apply, please send a brief letter describing your interest in the position, along with a succinct resume, and two references to Carlie Ideker by Monday, April 8th, 2024.