Idaho Trails Association, in partnership with the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest and Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, are seeking applicants for a three-month Wilderness Steward Volunteer position, based at Windy Saddle in the Seven Devils Mountains.
Ideally, this position will be filled by one person for the entire three months: June 15-September 15 (start date depends on snow melt and road access and is estimated). However, ITA will consider three applicants working one month each, depending on applicant pool and availability of one person for the three-month period. A daily stipend of 50.00/day is available. Couples are welcome, but there is only possibility for one daily stipend. Dogs are allowed but limited to one and must be well-behaved around pack and saddle stock, as there is a Forest Service herd grazing the area as well as cattle, and this is a popular trailhead for stock users.
This position will act as a Wilderness Steward in the Seven Devils/Hells Canyon Wilderness Area on the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. Housing and duties will be based out of the Seven Devils Work Center at the end of the Seven Devils Road, southwest of Riggins, Idaho. This position will interact with members of the public at both the trailhead and while hiking and backpacking in remote areas of the Wilderness. Duties include public contacts, dispersed campsite cleanup and rehabilitation, trail condition reports and limited trail maintenance, and some trailhead and campground cleanup. The position will require strong communication skills, some maintenance and repair skills, ability to hike on uneven terrain, camp overnight and a willingness to engage with public land users. The individual(s) selected to fill the position will engage the public on ‘Leave No Trace’ and wilderness ethics and provide area and Wilderness information.
This volunteer position will be covered by a Forest Service volunteer services agreement, which provides coverage should the volunteer be injured in performance of duties related to the position.
ITA will provide tools for light trail maintenance, as well as training in Leave No Trace, trail condition assessment, and visitor contacts. A satellite communication device will be provided on loan. There is also the possibility of borrowing camping and backpacking gear needed. Cooking and basic kitchenware, as well as a stove and propane for the cabin will be provided. The volunteer will be responsible for purchasing their own food and fuel for cooking on the trail.
Housing facilities are a small off grid cabin equipped with basic amenities near the Windy Saddle trailhead. An outhouse and an outdoor shower serve bathroom needs. The cabin is located approximately 20 miles from the nearest amenities such as grocery stores, gas stations and other services. The area has very limited cell phone coverage. A high clearance AWD or 4X4 vehicle is strongly recommended for accessing the site on unpaved Forest Service roads. Applicants must be comfortable spending time alone while performing these duties and should expect to work over weekends, when visitors are most likely present; days off will be midweek.
Interested applicants should send a resume addressing qualifications for the duties described above to: jobs@idahotrailsassociation.org by COB on 4/17/26. Please include three references. Must be 18 years old by June 15th of this year to apply.
