U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) - Umpqua National Forest, U.S. Forest Service

TIMELINE: Service member will receive training and/or certification in the following:MAY/JUNE: FIELD SEASON OPERATIONS – To repair and prepare recreation sites for the visiting public. 1- Collection Officer (1 day) – Mandatory training to certify Member to collect fees and sell recreation passes on behalf of the U.S. Forest Service. Topics cover Federal and agency regulations regarding proper collection procedures and safekeeping of funds. Class in taught online, and once testing is done and certification is earned, additional on-site training and shadowing will be given. 2- Hazard Tree Identification (2 day) – This training consists of one full day of hazard tree identification in the classroom and then a field day for testing. Training and certification of completion is given by Josh Bronson, Region 6 pathologist of the SW Oregon Forest Insect & Disease Service Center. Removal of hazard trees within recreation sites is crucial, and the Service Member will gain experience identifying tree species and various diseases that can affect trees. 3- Chainsaw/Crosscut Sawyer Certification (3 day) – This training consists of 2 days in the classroom learning saw basics and safety. The third day in the field will involve cutting under the supervision of a C-faller instructor as mandated by the Forest Service National Saw Policy. A faller/bucker certification can be earned after completion of the course. 4- Defensive Driving and FS Driver’s license (1 day) – Mandatory training to be able to drive government vehicles. 5- Extreme Ownership (1 day) – Based on retired Navy Seal Jocko Willink and Leif Babin’s top-selling book, this in-person course aims to enhance leadership skills across all employees. 6- Hazard Tree Felling Operations and Planning (continuous through June) – Service member will work alongside permanent recreation staff to assist with felling/bucking of hazard trees and associated cleanup. Teamwork and camaraderie is built across all recreation teams working together to meet a common goal at this time, and the Service member will learn what steps need to be taken in order to prepare a range of campgrounds (from primitive to highly developed) for opening.7- Water Systems Brief (1-2 days) – Working alongside permanent recreation and facilities staff, Service Member will learn and understand the basics of small water system maintenance and monitoring to keep in compliance with State DEQ regulations. 8- 8-Line Medical Evac Training (1 day) – In-person training with Forest Service trained staff on how to communicate with Dispatch and to properly fill out paperwork in case of medical emergency. 9- Recreation.gov Training (1 day then OTJ) – Recreation.gov is the central place where people can reserve their campsite. Recreation technicians need to access the system to process new reservations, check on existing, process payments, etc. Once online training is complete, the Service Member gets their login information and on-the-job daily exposure and additional training throughout the summer. 10- Fee Compliance Training (1 day then OTJ) -Collecting fees is more than accessing a lockbox. It involves checking to see if people occupying a campsite have paid their fees, working with the camp hosts to track reservations, and making contact with the public in instances of discrepancies. Training will go over paperwork and tactics to use to gain compliance. 11- Notice of Required Fee Training (1 day then OTJ) – Service Member will learn the process for issuing a NRF to the public who have not paid required fees. 12- Verbal Judo (1-2 day) – This in-depth, nationally recognized training program provides individuals with skills to navigate tense encounters with an irate public by teaching proven techniques to de-escalate tension, fear, and anger from the public we meet. The class will provide the basics, and then the Service Member will put these skills to work in the campgrounds while interacting with the public throughout the season. LATE JUNE/JULY/AUGUST: OPEN SEASON OPERATIONS – To operate safe and memorable recreation sites. 1- Recreation Use Monitoring (1 day then OTJ) – Service Member will assist Recreation Monitors with monitoring dispersed recreation sites associated with the North Umpqua Hydroelectric Project as mandated by the FERC license. They will learn basic site evaluation and how to assign scores based on topics such as vegetation damage, occupancy, and overall status of the site. Data is combined into a report to Pacific Corps each September. 2- Fire Prevention – Service Members will assist Forest Service Fire Prevention personnel in signing recreation sites with fire closure information during periods of high fire danger. 3- Saturday Evening Programs: Service Members will gain exposure to public speaking and event planning by assisting with the Smokey Bear program and Saturday Evening talks at the Diamond Lake Amphitheatre to help spread the word about various topics regarding natural resources and fire safety and prevention. SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER- STRATEGIC RECREATION - Strategic Recreation Planning to improve for future 1- Site closures/winterization – Service Member will receive OTJ training with FS recreation and facilities maintenance personnel on how to prepare recreation sites for the winter. This includes participating in After Action Reviews to discuss any issues that may have occurred and what steps can be taken to mitigate issues in the future. 2- Project Leadership – Service Member will take the lead on an appropriate campground improvement project which could range from sign refurbishment/installation, preparing Diamond Lake Area campgrounds for winter recreation, repair of kiosks or other minor infrastructure, etc. They will further hone their leadership skills by being in charge of a project from start to finish, with the help of the Recreation Supervisor.