Description
The Utah Department of Natural Resources: Division of Forestry, Fire & State Lands (FFSL) is hiring seasonal Forestry Technicians for the summer 2027 season. FFSL manages sections of the Colorado & Green Rivers to protect the values of Navigability, Recreation, Habitat, Water Quality, and Scenery.
The FFSL Sovereign Lands River Ranger team spends their weeks in the field working one-on-one with habitat specialists and river managers to conduct resource patrols, maintain campsites and beaches, curtail the spread of noxious species, and educate visitors about responsible river recreation.
These positions are an excellent opportunity for people with whitewater rafting experience to learn how proactive river management maintains and improves the river corridor; or for a person with conservation experience to learn the ins-and-outs of applying those skills in the backcountry river trip setting.
The FFSL River Ranger’s schedule is fieldwork intensive. Our team spends over 100 days in the field each season, more than half of those being overnight assignments. Tents, sleeping pads, and dry bags are provided. Work days are 10 hours long, not to exceed 40 hours in one week. We typically assume a 4-on 3-off; or 8-on 6-off schedule. The river ranger team suspends work for 4 weeks during the hottest part of the summer (typically August) when arduous labor in the desert is not advised.
Requirements
FFSL is committed to the professional development of our employees. We may choose to offer training in wildland firefighting, swiftwater rescue, chainsaw operation, OHV operation, etc. depending on Agency needs.
Duties will include:
working together in small teams on both one-day and week-long river trips focused on conservation and vegetation management long hours of manual labor in intense desert heat
representing the agency in public interactions
operating a whitewater raft within potentially Class IV whitewater
operating an outboard motor through flatwater
driving a 4x4 truck and towing boats and other heavy equipment trailers on backcountry roads
safely operating chainsaws and applying herbicide
using powered and hand tools such as trimmers, chippers, shovels, saws, axes, sifters, rock bars, and hammers
collection of conservation data using analogue notation, GIS software and photography
ensuring campsite cleanliness/sanitation
communicating via VHF radio
navigating backcountry and wilderness rivers with a high level of situational awareness
interfacing with the public to answer questions and demonstrate conservation best practices
working with partner agency staff to ensure program cooperation
Qualified applicants will understand:
the river’s resources and basic hydrologic processes
"Leave No Trace" principles and ethics for desert river environments
river safety awareness
river management rules, regulations and policies specific to the Green & Colorado Rivers
restoration practices and techniques needed to address impacts
non-enforcement strategies to educate the public
ecosystem assessment techniques, including invasive species monitoring
river recreation sampling techniques
Qualified applicants will be able to:
effectively communicate with river corridor users and private landowners
act decisively and calmly under conditions of emotional and physical duress
safely navigate in a Class IV river setting using human- and motor-powered rafts
implement revegetation or other restoration techniques
identify project needs based upon field observations
identify, monitor, and treat invasive species
work with volunteers and partners on project work
conduct ecosystem assessments and river recreation sampling
PLEASE READ BEFORE APPLYING: Please send a 1) resume, 2) river trip experience log, and 3) professional references to tmancuso@utah.gov. Applications will not be considered after December 30th, 2026. FFSL intends to conduct interviews during the second half of January, 2027, and have successful applicants in Moab starting orientation on March 15th, 2027. This is a temporary, non-benefited appointment that will terminate on November 18th, 2028 or sooner as program funding demands.
