The Bishop Area Climbing Ranger position is a collaboration among the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the Inyo National Forest (INF), LA Department of Water and Power (LADWP), Bishop Area Climbers Coalition (BACC), Bishop Chamber of Commerce (BCC), Eastern Sierra Interpretive Association (ESIA), and Friends of the Inyo (FOI) to promote climbing conservation in the Bishop, CA. Area – specifically in Pine Creek, the Buttermilks, the Volcanic Tablelands, and the Owens River Gorge. Climbing Rangers will support local land managers and supporting organizations by performing a variety of tasks to preserve and maintain our cherished local climbing landscapes.
Job Duties and Description
Climber Education Climbing Rangers will work to inform people on and off the rocks about climbing-related topics such as LNT principles, and local regulations and ethics through performing climbing patrols, hosting weekly “Climbers Coffee”, and presenting gym-based educational events. Climbing rangers will produce educational materials and will create and share social media posts relevant to Bishop area climbing conservation and ethics.
Stewardship Work Planning for, organizing, and overseeing (alongside land managers) volunteer stewardship projects. Projects will decrease social trails, delineate primary access trails to climbing areas, minimize, and restore dispersed camping impacts, and work to preserve a “natural” state of the land.
Climbing Patrols and Data Collection Monitor and clean up areas impacted by climbers, such as: access trails, bouldering and cragging areas, and dispersed campsites. Communicate with Law Enforcement to ensure regulatory compliance of visitors. Provide visitors with information regarding safety, resource protection, local regulations, and LNT best practices, to bridge the gap between climbers, local land managers, and NGOs. Collecting data for the land management agencies.
Reporting Climbing Rangers will report to the Program Operations director of ESIA and will receive guidance and direction from BLM, INF, and LADWP staff. You will be required to give monthly updates to the partners and public. This is a seasonal position running from October 2023 – April 2024. You will be expected to work 40 hours per week, with holidays and weekends required.
Salary: $21.53-22.00/hour
Requirements:
- Applicants must be climbers familiar with and passionate about our local climbing landscapes and must be familiar with the different land management agencies. (LADWP, BLM, USFS).
- Ideal candidates will have a background in resource management, preferably with experience in education, data collection, leadership, and a strong sense of initiative and work ethic. You will be required to work both independently and closely with others in a variety of partnerships.
- Ability to learn and operate hand-held GPS units. Experience in GIS is preferred but not required.
- U.S. Citizenship required; must possess a valid U.S. Driver’s License with a clean driving record.
- Ability to operate a 4WD vehicle.
- Must be able to pass a federal background check.
- Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
- First Aid/CPR Certifications; WFR or EMT preferred.
- Experience maintaining trails, planning, and overseeing restoration work.
- Ability to communicate clearly and amiably with diverse audiences.
Must be physically fit to perform strenuous and physically demanding duties in rugged terrain and variable temperatures.
For more information regarding this position contact Gena Wood at . Please submit a cover letter, resume, two references, and First Aid/CPR certification to by 5 PM PDT August 13, 2023.
