Climber Steward

Be part of Joshua Tree National Park's climbing management team!

Climber Stewards work within the climbing management program to support climbing rangers at the park. They serve as a critical link between the National Park Service and the climbing, bouldering, and slacklining communities. Stewards help keep Joshua Tree beautiful; collect useful data; and promote positive relationships between climbers, visitors, and park staff.

Climber Stewards perform a variety of duties:

• Provide information about rock climbing, bouldering, slacklining and park regulations to visitors in a courteous manner
• Assist with weekend Climber Coffee program
• Conduct patrols in both technical and non-technical terrain
• Report graffiti and other anomalies
• Help to maintain cleanliness at Hidden Valley Campground and the surrounding crags
• Teach others about Leave No Trace and good climbing practices
• Assist wildlife, restoration and other park staff with projects
• Opportunities to participate in search and rescue will be based on qualifications and experience
• Got a special talent?  Please tell us how you would like to share your climbing stewardship skills

Length of service will be approximately 10 weeks.  2 positions available 10/29/2020 – 1/10/2021 and 2 positions available 1/3/2021 – 4/1/2021. Stewards work 32 hours / week and can be reimbursed for up to $100/week of living expenses.  Stewards will be given a campsite in Hidden Valley Campground for the duration of their volunteer service.  This does not count towards your 14-day camping limit.

Qualifications and eligibility of applicants:

• Must have a valid US driving license and a registered vehicle that you are willing to use to commute in the park
• Must be comfortable working closely with law enforcement rangers
• First Aid and CPR certified
• Willing and available to work 32 hours/week for 10 continuous weeks.  (Approximately Nov 1 – Jan 15 or Jan 15 – April 1)
• Knowledge of Joshua Tree National Park is mandatory
• Familiarity with self-rescue or technical rescue is preferred
• Camping, bouldering, slacklining, and climbing gear will not be provided by the NPS. Helmets required for 5th class climbing and belaying.

Please submit a work experience/education resume, including community service. Also submit a brief climbing/bouldering/slacklining resume listing your top highlights, with some of these highlights taking place in Joshua Tree, as well as a short list of 3 routes/problems/lines that are your aspirations. Lastly, please describe your lead ability in sport, traditional and bouldering disciplines and/or your slackline/highline experience.

If you have the ability to communicate tactfully, want to share your enthusiasm, and desire an opportunity to cultivate the spirit of stewardship; please apply through this posting and email your resume to Bernadette Regan [email protected] or call 814-883-0837.

For general volunteer questions, please contact [email protected]. For general information on Joshua Tree National Park, please refer to the website:  https://www.nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/climbing.htm