Our team of Wilderness Rangers works in designated wilderness, in other designated areas, and on other special projects throughout New Mexico, with specific work locations and project priorities dependent on duty location, available funding, and agency partner priorities. Primary duties are guided by federal land management needs and may include collecting data on wilderness conditions and issues, conducting trail maintenance and trail construction, removing noxious weeds, rehabilitating unauthorized campsites, conducting public outreach, and implementing wilderness education projects. The engagement of volunteers, including planning and implementing volunteer stewardship projects, is integrated into all work activities.

These Wilderness Ranger positions are temporary (seasonal), with an estimated period of employment of April 15 to November 15. However, the work season may be reduced based on available funding and conditions such as snow, heat and fire. A shorter term of employment may also be possible if mutually desired.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Work independently and as a team in a variety of backcountry and front-country settings on specific assigned tasks.
Scout, plan, and lead backcountry wilderness stewardship projects with volunteers.
Develop and/or execute local strategies for monitoring and data collection consistent with federal agency protocols.
Operate a smartphone data collection application to collect consistent and accurate natural resource and visitor use data.
Maintain organized and complete records.
Travel, camp, and work in remote backcountry settings during wilderness trips.
Utilize safe and low-impact backcountry travel skills.
Identify, plan, and complete various stewardship projects with coordination and approval from relevant federal agency personnel.
Recruit, coordinate, train, and lead volunteers and youth in completing a variety of stewardship projects.
Ensure that New Mexico Wild’s stewardship goals are consistent with its diversity, equity, and inclusion objectives.

Qualifications

Knowledge of wilderness principles, concepts, policies, and objectives.
Ability to collect natural resource and visitor use data.
Practical knowledge of backcountry travel, natural resources, and land management operations sufficient to perform work assignments within backcountry settings.
Ability to work under arduous physical conditions.
Ability to identify invasive plant species, conduct trail assessments, utilize primitive tools, perform trail and campsite maintenance and restoration, and use a data collection application.
Ability to recruit, coordinate and lead volunteer crews.
Ability to work both independently and with a team, including coordination with New Mexico Wild and federal agency staff.
Experience with ArcGIS and other mapping software and data collection applications is a plus.
Valid state-issued Driver License is required.
Access to personal vehicle for travel to and from work sites will be required for some positions. Mileage for work-related activities will be reimbursed.

Work Environment

Work is performed primarily in the field, often in remote backcountry locations for multiple days at a time. Field work includes risk of injury from falls, strains, insect bites and includes exposure to inclement weather. Work will be full time and conducted in 8-day/80-hour hitches during the field season, which will require work during some weekends, holidays, and occasionally evenings. Light office duties will be performed at assigned work locations. Overnight travel will be required to complete duties between 50% and 100% of work time during the field season. Safety equipment is required and will be provided in accordance with applicable federal agency job hazard analyses. Employer-provided housing is not available.

Other Position Information

This is a temporary, non-exempt position.
Duty locations may include Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Silver City, or Taos, New Mexico, with other duty locations potentially negotiable.
Compensation for new Wilderness Rangers starts at $20.00 per hour, plus daily field per diem at a rage of $30/day for multi-day, overnight trips. Temporary employees will also receive all legally mandated benefits, including social security, worker’s compensation insurance, and Paid Time Off (PTO).

New Mexico Wild is a statewide, non-governmental grassroots advocacy organization dedicated to conserving federal public lands in New Mexico. New Mexico Wild is an equal opportunity employer and actively works to ensure fair and equal treatment of its employees regardless of differences based on culture, socioeconomic status, race, marital or family situation, gender, age, ethnicity, religious beliefs, physical ability, or sexual orientation.

To apply, email a cover letter and resume to jobs@nmwild.org or through our website.

Job Category: Seasonal

Job Type: Full Time

Job Location: New Mexico

Position: Wilderness Ranger

Date: January 22, 2025

Classification: Full-time, temporary (seasonal), April 15 to November 15 (approx.)

Location: Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Silver City, or Taos (other duty stations potentially negotiable)

Position Summary