Willamette National Forest - Visitor Services Information Assistant

Northwest Youth Corps

Individual Placement (5 Positions Available)

U.S. Forest Service – Willamette National Forest

Various locations in Detroit, Sweet Home, Springfield, McKenzie Bridge, and Westfir, OR

Position Title: Visitor Services Information Assistant (from 4-12 months)

Position Summary:

The Willamette National Forest is recruiting five, 4-12 month (640–2080 Hours) Visitor Services Information Assistant Individual Placements starting mid-May 2026 through April 2027 to provide support at various locations on the Willamette National Forest. Summary provided:

The members will serve as part of the administrative team. This position is located on a Forest Service unit. The primary purpose of the position is the dissemination of information and interpretative assistance to the public through various means. The position will be held for a length of 4-12 months of full-time work, depending on the duty location. The incumbents will typically work five eight-hour days a week, but schedules may vary.

About the Forest:

The Willamette is a large, complex forest, encompassing over 1.7 million acres in Oregon, which stretches for 110 miles along the western slopes of the Cascades. There are four Ranger Districts, an experimental forest, and a diverse, integrated, and challenging program of work. It is known for its numerous volcanic peaks, the forested Cascade Range, and three Wild and Scenic Rivers.

The area offers a stunning choice of year-round recreation for day-trippers and vacationers, from hiking, camping, fishing, or skiing in the Cascade Mountains to picnicking or rafting along one of our scenic rivers. There are eight wilderness areas on the forest, which comprise 20% of the Forest land base. Mt. Jefferson, Diamond Peak, Three Sisters, and the Mt. Washington Wilderness Areas are co-managed with the Deschutes National Forest. There are three designated Off-highway vehicle areas on the forest, two nationally designated scenic byways, and several recreation cabin rentals. The Forest special uses program includes two ski resorts, two concession permits for major campground complexes, a marina, numerous outfitters and guides, numerous recreation residences, nationally recognized mountain bike events, and organizational camps. The Forest manages a recreation fee program and offers popular dispersed recreation opportunities near water and lakeshores.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

About the Willamette National Forest, please visit our web site at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/willamette

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Meets visitors and independently replies, verbally or in writing, to phone and mail inquiries requesting general information about Forest Service Activities, programs and policies.
• Assist visitors and callers with informational research, and with the reference library.
• Serves as Collection Officer to sell forest timber permits and other items, such as maps and passes, in accordance with manual and handbook requirements. Is held responsible for submitting and accounting for collected monies using approved computer programs and records.
• Performs regular daily activities for the reception area or visitor center, including but not limited to, daily opening and closing of the facility, raising and lowering the flag, and maintaining the front desk.
• Participates with staff specialists and public affairs office to provide the latest, most accurate and appropriate information to the public.
• Arrange informational interpretive displays in the reception area or visitor center. Varies or changes the displays to coincide with seasonal changes and unit program emphases. Provides interpretive answers to a wide variety of visitor interests, such as the identification of local flora and fauna or the location of camping areas.
• Updates information such as road and recreation closures.
• Responds to and directs web and email inquiries to the appropriate personnel
• Handles clerical duties, such as mail and package delivery, personnel updates to phone lists and sign-out board.
• Assists with scheduling the conference room, fleet use reporting, travel assistance, assistance with purchasing during busy times, and other projects and duties as assigned by the supervisor.
• Provides guidance to the public on rules and regulations regarding on-unit activities.
• May accompany a higher graded worker on regular visits to various public schools and social groups for presentations on subjects such as fire safety, environmental awareness, recreation activities, and litter prevention.

Required Qualifications:

• Ages 18-30 (up to 35 for veterans)
• U.S. Citizen or lawful, permanent resident
• Must pass a background/driver check
• Skill in operating office automation equipment such as a word processor, microcomputer, or computer terminal, and related equipment such as printers and modems, using a standard typewriter style keyboard with additional function keys to produce work accurately and effectively.

Desired Qualifications:

• Driver's License
• Personal transportation

Duty Locations:

Detroit Ranger Station

Address: 44125 North Santiam Highway SE Detroit, OR 97342 Phone: (503) 854-3366 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Sweet Home Ranger Station

Address: 4431 Highway 20 Sweet Home, OR 97386 Phone: (541) 367-5168 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m

Willamette National Forest Headquarters-Springfield

Address: 3106 Pierce Parkway Suite D Springfield, OR 97477 Phone: (541) 225-6300 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

McKenzie River Ranger Station

Address: 57600 McKenzie Highway McKenzie Bridge, OR 97413 Phone: (541) 822-3381 Hours: Monday-Friday, 10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Middle Fork Ranger Station

Address: 46375 Highway 58 Westfir, OR 97492 Phone: (541) 782-2283 Hours: Monday-Friday, 10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Terms of Employment:

One individual placement will complete a term of service starting mid-May 2026 through April 2027 for a total of 4-12 months. The individual placement will average 40 hours of labor per week, minus holidays.

Individual placements are responsible for providing their own personal transportation and food. Housing or a housing fund may be provided.

Program Benefits:

Individual placements will earn $11,520-$37,440 living allowance dispersed on a monthly basis throughout the 4-12 months. Health care coverage is offered to 26+ week placements. Additionally, this position includes a $300 gear reimbursement fund. The living allowances are taxable.

Application Instructions

Application Deadline:Until Filled

Interviews: Will occur as qualified applications are received.

Type of position: Individual Placement

Service Dates: May 2026 - April 2027

Length of Term: 16-52 Weeks (640–2080 Hours)

How to apply:

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references and completely fill out the application form found at https://nwyouthcorps.workbrightats.com/jobsearch/?job_board_classification=Internships

Please select "Willamette National Forest - Visitor Services Information Assistant" when applying.

Additional Information

If you have questions about the position, please reach Northwest Youth Corps Internship Department at

interns@nwyouthcorps.org

matthew.peterson1@usda.gov

All job offers are contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background check (criminal history and driving history).