El Yunque National Forest Engineering Placement

Position Summary 

The Engineering Program Assistant will support El Yunque National Forest’s Hurricane Recovery Program and engineering projects by assisting with ERFO implementation, facility assessments, and project coordination. The member will work closely with the Engineering Staff Officer and team to support planning, documentation, meeting coordination, and field activities. This project aims to strengthen engineering operations, improve infrastructure recovery, and enhance sustainable recreation across the forest. The member will help streamline communication, compile technical information, and contribute to project management tasks that support long‑term forest resilience. Through this role, participants gain hands‑on engineering, administrative, and field experience while supporting critical recovery and restoration goals at El Yunque National Forest.

Hosting Organization

El Yunque National Forest

Location 

Rio Grande, PR

• This position is primarily in a front country setting where emergency services are accessible, but may be delayed by 1-2 hours. SCA Members regularly interact with members of the public. Access to public transportation at work site is limited or not possible. Cell phone reception maybe limited, spotty, or not available.
• This position may conduct work in a front country setting where emergency services are accessible, but may be delayed by 1-2 hours. Access to public transportation at work site is limited or not possible. Cell phone reception is limited, spotty, or not available.
• This position may conduct work in a backcountry setting where emergency services are limited and may be delayed by several hours to days. Access to public transportation at work site is not possible. Cell phone reception is limited, spotty, or not available.

Schedule 

October 26, 2026 - January 29, 2027

Key Duties and Responsibilities 

Directly work with the Engineering Staff Officer; Coordinate and record minutes (note taker) for the Engineering team, Forest Leadership Team and other meetings as assigned; Work directly in the restoration efforts post Hurricanes in different roles as required and capable; Help with the organization and planning input of public day celebrations (i.e. International Day of the Forest) ; Aid in budget planning and strategic planning as requested by the unit; Compile forest information (print and digital format) for internal and external dissemination; Organize and check outgoing communication materials; Interact with a diverse public to provide relevant and accurate information during community and public meetings; Schedules meetings and/or appointments for the supervisor and plans for time, participants, and location of meetings based on the priorities and commitments of the supervisor; Personally, drafts responses to items not requiring technical program knowledge, and responds to requests for material concerning the unit's programs. Tracks work in progress to ensure due dates will be met; Reviews outgoing correspondence submitted for supervisor's signature for grammatical accuracy and conformance with policy and discusses deviations or discrepancies with the author; Receives requests for statistical and informational materials concerning the unit's programs; Personally, compiles information from office files and records, or refers requests to appropriate staff and conducts appropriate follow-up; Establishes and maintains the unit's files in hard-copy and/or electronic format, as required; Prepares a wide variety of correspondence and recurring reports from rough drafts or using standardized formats, databases, and spreadsheets; Draft mercury correspondence database letters and ensure proper spelling, grammar, and format; Ensures proper spelling, grammar, format and arrangement of materials, and appropriate routing and clearance of materials;

Marginal Duties 

• Complete AD-700 forms for supplies, equipment, maintenance services, contracts, etc., as required
• Assist with field-going activities for Engineering and other staff as scheduled with supervisor’s approval
• Assist engineers in after-storm field assessments
• Assists on projects management tasks and project monitoring tasks
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree or in last year of bachelor degree in a related field
• Driver’s license

This SCA Position is authorized under the Public Land Corps Authority. All participants must be between the ages of 16 and 30, inclusive, or veterans age 35 or younger. Participants must also be a citizen or national of the United States or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States. Hours served can be applied toward the Public Land Corps (PLC) hiring authority.

Participants must possess a high school diploma or its equivalent or agree to obtain one or be enrolled in an institution of higher education.

Preferred Qualifications 

• Fluent in English and Spanish

Hours 

• 40 per week

Living Accommodations 

• Housing is not provided.

Compensation  

• Living Allowance: $600/week
• Housing Allowance: $800/month (5 months)

All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes. 

Personal Vehicle Information

• Recommended

Driving

• Driving a motor vehicle is a requirement for this position.

Additional Benefits 

• Defensive Driving Training
• First Aid/CPR
• AmeriCorps: Not Eligible

Equal Opportunity Statement 

SCA is an equal opportunity employer. Selection decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and performance, without unlawful discrimination.