Student Conservation Association Hiring for Winter 2022 Angeles OHV Barrier Team Job at California Full Time

The Student Conservation Association (SCA) will place a five-person Corps Team on the Angeles National Forest to undertake an OHV (off-highway vehicle) Barrier Installation and Resource Damage Reduction Project.

The Copper Fire of 2002 and Power House Fire of 2013 destroyed vegetation that was previously blocking unwanted vehicle access to areas of the landscape. The resulting damage has allowed access to the landscape previously inaccessible to OHV traffic. The continued use of OHVs operating off-trail is creating unauthorized user-created routes that are hindering habitat recovery efforts due to the continued disturbance to the landscape. The resulting damage to the environment and the native species is also providing conditions and pathways favorable to invasive plant encroachment.

To remedy the situation, the SCA Team will construct and install 100 “no-dig” barriers at designated sites within the Drinkwater Flat OHV area to better manage OHV use and to allow landscape restoration to proceed unencumbered.

This project will occur within the Drinkwater Flat OHV Area in the Angeles National Forest. Work will take place over the course of six weeks (including time needed to purchase, transport, and stage all the barrier materials), beginning on or about January 17, 2022 and concluding on or about March 27, 2022,15, The team will be comprised of one Project Leader and four Team Members.
The scope of this project will be to build and install a series of “no-dig” barriers, to be constructed according to USFS specifications. The no-dig barrier is a guardrail type barrier that is prefabricated, set into place, and then secured to the ground with rebar. It is made of 6 x 6 wood that is mounted on top of two one-foot pieces of 8×8 wood and serves to discourage the passage of vehicles into unauthorized areas without creating a tall barrier.

Barriers will provide for better-managed OHV recreation and create on-the-ground conditions that promote landscape restoration. Barrier installation will be assisted by a Forest Service employee on-site. SCA would be responsible for all supplies, equipment, and necessary trainings/certifications. SCA will work with Forest Service staff to determine Specific project locations. Approximately four weeks of on-the-ground work is anticipated to address these needs, with an additional two weeks of preparation work.

In addition to the no-dig barriers, some trail brushing and repair of fences that serve to block other incursion areas may be undertaken by the SCA Crew.

Living Accomodations
Expect to camp for the duration of this project. The crew will have camping reserved for them at Castaic Lake State Recreation Area.

To learn more about what previous crews have done on this project, check out the 2020 Angeles OHV Crew Final Report

*** The COVID-19 pandemic has required SCA to implement several safety protocols and policies to help our teams manage the risks associated with the pandemic. Please review the documents below for SCA’s updated organizational response plan and participant agreement form to learn more how our teams will be operating in the field. SCA1957

SCA COVID-19 Response Plan (updated 6/25/2021)
SCA COVID-19 Participant Agreement Form (updated 1/27/2021)
For Members who have accepted this position (Please click on the links below to review the steps you need to take to prepare for your position)
Preparing for your Corps Team Position
Onboarding for Your Corps Team Position
Desert Restoration Corps Team Gear List