Collaborative Forestry Crew - Lead Technician

Location: Taylorsville, CA - with project work within Lassen and Plumas Counties

Season Dates: May to November 2024 (season dependent on weather conditions; start/end dates may be flexible for those with scheduling conflicts)

Compensation: $21-$23/hr (commensurate with experience)

Benefits: paid sick, holiday, and wildfire mitigation leave

Training:  tree-species identification, marking methodology, standard cruising methods, forest pathology/ demography, and Wilderness First Aid, USFS Region 5 timber cruising certification (pending USFS availability)

Housing: Housing cannot be provided by Sierra Institute at this time. Group housing may be partially facilitated for crew members who are interested.

Position Description

The Sierra Institute for Community and Environment (Sierra Institute) is hiring one Lead Collaborative Forestry Technician to serve as a crew lead for a Collaborative Forestry Crew. The Lead Forestry Technician will lead the crew in performing forestry work necessary to advance critical timber management and restoration treatment on public and private lands. Technicians may work on various projects being advanced by Sierra Institute in collaboration with diverse partners (USFS, NPS, private landowners, etc.). Work will include unit boundary marking, GPSing unit boundaries, marking and cruising timber, and delineating boundaries of hand thinning units. The Lead Forestry Technician will operate under the direction of SI office support staff and with guidance from project partners.  Work objectives will be derived from treatment and management goals and will follow prescriptions developed for specific project areas. The Collaborative Forestry Crew will be expected to spend a small portion of their time contributing to empowering the next generation of natural resource stewards through sharing forestry knowledge with Sierra Institute’s highschool youth corps members. Collaborative Forestry Technicians may also assist as necessary with other tasks necessary to advancing collaborative restoration priorities. This is a unique opportunity to advance pivotal collaborative forest and watershed restoration projects that aim to protect rural communities from catastrophic wildfire and restore the unique landscapes of the  northern Sierra and southern Cascades.

The Lead Technician will advance their knowledge of Sierra Nevada mixed-conifer forest ecosystems, technical forestry, and collaborative forest management processes as well as standard procedures and practices employed in the federal and private lands projects. The Lead Forestry Technician will lead the Collaborative Forestry Crew in assessing progress towards objectives, monitoring/ mitigating safety concerns in the field, and creating a collaborative work environment that encourages professionalism, learning, and efficiency. The Collaborative Forestry Crew will receive project-specific training on tree-species identification, marking methodology, standard cruising methods, and forest pathology/ demography. The Lead Forestry Technician will provide on the job training and guidance to the members of the Collaborative Forestry Crew. Depending on the availability of US Forest Service staff, the crew may have the opportunity to test for the USFS Region 5 timber cruising certification. Wilderness First Aid and S-212 chainsaw certification training will also be provided.

The majority of project work will occur within the boundary of the Dixie Fire (2021) and Crew objectives will support several projects in various stages of implementation. The Dixie Fire burned with mixed severity and the Crew will experience a diverse and beautiful fire affected landscape while working in the field. Daily work may include but is not limited to: timber sale unit boundary marking in fire-affected timber sales, timber marking and cruising, and burn severity assessment/ data collection - essential work for advancing restoration priorities of regional partners and preparing forested ecosystems to be resilient to future changes in climate and fire regime. 

The Lead Technician must be organized, open to learning, and possess the ability to motivate and support their fellow Crew Members, and be willing to work hard in a physically demanding role. This position requires hiking while carrying a heavy pack and paint and mitigating known and unforeseen hazards such as smoke, heat, and strong wind. This crew will utilize a 4-10 work schedule consisting of four 10-hour days followed by three days off. Technicians must possess a full COVID-19 vaccination status (vaccinated and boosted).

Qualifications 

Required 

• Minimum of 12-months combined field experience in forest or other natural resource management, this may include but is not limited to corps work, wildland fire, research and survey work within the environmental field, land conservation, etc.;
• Minimum of 6-months leading others in carrying out the above;
• Experience towards a degree or certificate in Forestry, Natural Resource Management, Ecological Restoration or related field(s), OR equivalent work experience in forestry or conservation (e.g. timber marking, logging, wildland firefighting, botany, wildlife, etc.);
• Experience with standard forestry field techniques, timber marking/ cruising, and ecology and natural systems of the Sierra Nevada;
• Ability to use compasses, topographic maps, and handheld GPS units or tablets to navigate and collect data in the field;
• Ability to track and report project accomplishments;
• Good physical conditioning to work and walk in the forest all day carrying day-packs with equipment during all types of weather;
• An ability to bring adaptability and improvisation, critical thinking skills, creativity, and humor to the workplace;
• Ability to be punctual, diligent, and thorough in their work and support a similarly strong work ethic amongst crew members;
• Possess a valid, clean, state-issued driver’s license, with an ability to safely operate a 4WD vehicle;
• Full COVID vaccination status (vaccinated and boosted). 

Preferred 

• Bachelor’s degree, Associates degree, or professional certificate in Forestry, Natural Resource Management, Ecological Restoration or related field(s);
• Experience working as part of a field crew or team, experience with safety management, and experience collecting and managing field data; 
• Familiarity with mixed conifer forests and the ability to identify common tree species in the northern Sierra Nevada and southern Cascades;
• Current first aid or wilderness medical training certification (e.g., WFA, WFR, WEMT).

Skills or experiences that can fill in for qualifications will be considered.

We invite all interested parties to apply including those belonging to Tribal communities, women, POC, and LGBTQ+ persons. 

Compensation

Compensation is $21 - $23 per hour commensurate with experience. Health benefits through Sierra Institute are not available for this position, but may be obtained through Covered California (http://www.coveredca.com/). Field staff will be provided monthly sick time, paid holidays, and a set number of paid wildfire mitigation leave. Paid wildfire mitigation leave is intended to mitigate work days impacted by wildfire and smoke. 

Necessary training will be provided tree-species identification, marking methodology, standard cruising methods, forest pathology/ demography, and Wilderness First Aid, USFS Region 5 timber cruising certification (pending USFS availability).

About the Sierra Institute

The Sierra Institute promotes healthy forests, watersheds, and communities by investing in the well-being of rural communities and strengthening their participation in natural resource management. Our work supports initiatives that simultaneously benefit the environment, economy, and equity within a given landscape. Sierra Institute is located in Taylorsville, CA (population 154), and lies within an area referred to as “Indian Valley” that includes the communities of Greenville and Crescent Mills. Indian Valley offers uniquely rural community events and is surrounded by public lands including Plumas National Forest, Lassen National Forest, and Lassen Volcanic National Park. 

About Taylorsville

The position is based in the very rural northern Sierra town of Taylorsville, where the Collaborative Forestry Crew will be one of a few talented field crews implementing natural resource management plans to promote landscape restoration  and community well-being in the northern Sierra Nevada and southern Cascade.

Taylorsville, CA (pop. 154) lies within a large mountain meadow referred to as “Indian Valley,” that includes the communities of Greenville and Crescent Mills. Taylorsville is a historic small town, with a long history dating back to the construction of the first flour mill in the Pacific Northwest in 1856. Downtown Taylorsville is home to two historic establishments: the Taylorsville Tavern, a favorite watering hole for loggers; and Young’s Market, a revitalized country store and sandwich shop that first opened its doors in 1862 that is – debatably – home to the oldest working cash register in the nation manufactured in 1914.

Taylorsville is a blended community of long-time residents, ranchers, loggers, and newcomers, drawn to the area for its scenic beauty and cultural richness. Taylorsville offers unique, rural community events that bring the community together, such as the Silver Buckle Rodeo held over the 4th of July, the Holiday Light Parade the Saturday after Thanksgiving; and New Year’s Eve fireworks in the fields across from the Tavern. Taylorsville is surrounded by many outdoor recreation opportunities such as Lake Almanor, Plumas and Lassen National Forests, and Lassen Volcanic National Park. Although much of the forest was burned at mixed severity in the 2021 Dixie Fire, many areas remain accessible and beautiful. These adjacent public lands feature backcountry routes in winter, and endless, empty dirt roads to explore in summer. Adventure lies just out the back door of the office!

How to Apply 

Please send your cover letter, resume, and contact information for three references as one PDF to jobs@sierrainstitute.us with “Lead Collaborative Forestry Technician” in the subject line. Please include where you heard about the job in the text of the email (please be as specific as possible). Position is open until filled, with interviews starting January 3rd, 2024. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Please call 530.284.1022 or email jobs@sierrainstitute.us if you have questions.