The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area (CRGNSA) stretches along both sides of the Columbia River from the mouth of the Sandy River to the mouth of the Deschutes River, and encompasses portions of southern Washington and northern Oregon. The Gorge is unique in its natural and cultural history, as well as its designation as a National Scenic Area. With an 85 mile east-to-west span, an elevational range from near sea level to almost 5,000 feet, and a strong precipitation gradient, the Gorge contains a unique concentration of diverse ecosystems, from temperate rainforest to dry bunchgrass hills. In between are basalt cliffs, talus slopes, waterfalls, wetlands, streams, lakes & riparian areas, and woodlands of Oregon oak & ponderosa pine.
The CRGNSA is an exciting place to work. Designated in 1986, the National Scenic Area is a unique area including all (private, county, state, federal) lands within the boundaries. The enabling legislation includes two purposes: (1) to protect and provide for the enhancement of the scenic, cultural, recreational, and natural resources of the Columbia River Gorge; and (2) to protect and support the economy of the Columbia River Gorge area by encouraging growth to occur in existing urban areas and by allowing future economic development in a manner that is consistent with paragraph (1). The USDA Forest Service is the federal agency charged with implementing the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Act, and protecting and enhancing the scenic, natural, cultural and recreational resources of the Columbia River Gorge. This responsibility is undertaken in partnership with the Columbia River Gorge Commission, the states of Oregon and Washington, and Gorge counties on both sides of the River. Implementing the National Scenic Area Act is a complex, challenging, and unique role for the Forest Service. The CRGNSA Forest Service unit also manages the White Salmon and Klickitat Wild and Scenic Rivers, and shares management of the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness area with the Mount Hood National Forest.
DUTY STATION: Hood River, Oregon
The CRGNSA Forest Service office, located in Hood River, Oregon, is a single Forest Service administrative unit combining a unique mix of supervisor’s office and ranger district responsibilities along with technical support and engagement with the six counties and the Bi-State Gorge Commission.
Hood River, a town of 8,300 in the heart of the Gorge, is known for its fruit orchards, vineyards, and wineries, and for world class kiteboarding and windsurfing. It has excellent schools, medical facilities, churches, and a range of housing opportunities. Homes range from $400,000 condos/townhouses to 3-bedroom homes at $600,000 and up. Rentals range from $900 to $2100 per/month. Affordable rentals are hard to find in the summer months. Our office is located about 60 miles east of the Portland-Vancouver metropolitan area. Many Scenic Area employees choose to live in The Dalles (25 miles east), in the nearby smaller cities of Parkdale, Mosier or Cascade Locks, or across the river in Bingen or White Salmon, WA.
The Scenic Area office has about 47 permanent employees, with a typical seasonal staff of about 25.