Position Summary
The participants will live and work out of the Westwater Ranger Station which is located 70 miles from Moab, Utah and 40 miles from Grand Junction, Colorado. Work will be coordinated through the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Moab Field Office Recreation Program. Westwater Canyon is the first whitewater stretch on the Colorado River in Utah. The canyon is seventeen miles long and includes Class III and IV rapids. This section is challenging at all water levels and is only recommended for experience boaters. As with any remote river, floating through Westwater can be a very humbling and challenging experience which necessitates respect and skill. The ranger station can be a busy place as it is the put in for Westwater Canyon and the takeout for the Ruby Horsethief section. There is campground with twelve campsites, two toilets and a network of trails and roads including the Kokopelli’s trail. The participant may be the first contact with visitors and will provide them with education about the canyon and surrounding areas.
The participant will be responsible for conducing permit compliance and gear checks for commercial and private permittees as well as performing patrols of the wilderness study area and upland within the Utah Rims Special Recreation Management Area. This is a great opportunity to learn about outdoor recreation and federal land management. You will work closely with land management professionals to learn about allocated permit systems and travel management planning. The participant will interact with visitors and share educational information, tips for safely recreating on public lands and to protect the unique resources. The participant will be required to wear a uniform and to represent the SCA and the BLM in a positive and professional manner.
Schedule
July 6, 2026 - November 27, 2026
Key Duties and Responsibilities
Marginal Duties
Required Qualifications
Driver’s License
Preferred Qualifications
Whitewater rafting/kayaking experience; manual labor experience i.e., digging, lifting; outdoor camping/living experience; public speaking; organizational skills; GIS experience
Hours
40 per week
Living Accommodations
The Westwater Ranger Station is an office attached to a 4 bedroom dorm style living quarters. Each individual worker there will have their own room and share the common living space i.e., kitchen, bathroom, living room. The ranger station is roughly 45 mins from Grand Junction Colorado where you can find all amenities and roughly 1.5 hours from Moab, UT.
Compensation
All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes.
Personal Vehicle Information
Required
Additional Benefits
Defensive Driving Training
AmeriCorps: Ineligible
Equal Opportunity Statement
The SCA strives to cultivate a work environment that encourages fairness, teamwork, and respect among all staff members. SCA is committed to maintaining a work atmosphere in which people may grow personally and professionally. The Student Conservation Association, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.
Physical requirements and working conditions specific to the position are available in the full job description.