Forestry Crew Lead- Six Rivers National Forest (Orleans, Ukonom, and Lower Trinity Ranger Districts)

GREAT BASIN INSTITUTE • Klamath, CA

30d • $26 - $26 • Onsite

About The Position

USFS, Six Rivers National Forest, California The Great Basin Institute, in collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service is seeking Forestry Crew Leads to oversee timber sale preparation, vegetation management, and forest restoration projects within Region 5 of the Six Rivers National Forest (Orleans/Ukonom/Lower Trinity Ranger Districts) located in California's Klamath Mountains. These initiatives support the broader Basin & Range Forestry mission of enhancing forest resilience in the face of changing climate conditions and increasing wildfire risks, directly contributing to healthier and more sustainable forest ecosystems. The selected Crew Lead will play a key role in vegetation management and fuels reduction efforts addressing important priorities such as wildland–urban interface (WUI) fuels reduction, protection of sensitive habitats for endangered species, and watershed conservation. This position also offers significant professional development through exposure to the U.S. Forest Service protocols, compliance standards, and applied field expertise. Essential Job Functions may include the following: The Forestry Crew Lead will oversee and participate in a wide variety of activities supporting all stages of project work. Forestry duties may include, but are not limited to: Ensure crew safety and provide leadership and oversight to a small field team (approximately two crew members). Coordinate daily field tasks and project logistics. Deliver or assist with field training and maintain communication with both USFS and GBI staff. Field activities may include: Timber sale unit layout including boundary delineation using GPS navigation, flagging, and paint. Tree species identification. Salvage timber marking and timber cruising. Timber and biomass inventory data collection. Identification and marking of hazard trees following established protocols. Identification of resource concerns related to hydrology, heritage resources, wildlife habitat, and recreation. This role is ideal for experienced forestry professionals interested in making a tangible impact on forest management and resource conservation. All procedures will be performed in compliance with silvicultural prescriptions based on forest conditions, treatment types, and land management goals. Data will be collected using standard forestry instruments, direct measurements, general observations, and on-site inspections. Project-specific training will be provided in areas including tree species identification, GPS data collection, tree marking, hydrology, entomology/pathology, heritage resource identification, fire/fuels assessments, and other related topics. Prior experience with basic GIS skills, GPS data collection, tree species identification, timber marking and cruising, identifying hydrologic concerns, recognizing forest entomology/pathology issues, identifying heritage sites, and experience with fire/fuels assessments or related field tasks is preferred.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Forestry (preferred), natural resource management or related field, with coursework (by position start date) AND one year of forestry related field work OR three years of professional fieldwork experience
• Experience leading crews in the field, including oversight of crew safety, communication, fidelity to methods and data quality
• Proficiency in navigation using GPS, topographic map and compass
• Experience with cruising and marking techniques
• Possess a clean, valid, state-issued driver’s license with the ability to safely operate and maintain a 4WD vehicle on and off paved roads
• Ability to work effectively in a team setting with USFS staff, GBI staff, interns, volunteers, academic, state, and federal partners
• Ability to work safely and productively in remote field settings under adverse conditions. This includes occasionally overnight camping in remote areas for consecutive nights
• Ability to understand, implement and adhere to established data collection, inventory, assessment, and monitoring protocols
• Strong organizational skills and ability to work cooperatively as well as independently
• Strong communication skills with a diverse audiences, both written and oral
• Physically fit to work outdoors, carry up to 50 pounds of personal and/or field equipment, and withstand the rigors of a steep and rugged forested environment in extreme temperatures.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with and interest in resource management issues of western states and the ecology of the Klamath-Siskiyou ecoregion
• Familiarity with the mixed conifer forests typical of northern California, including common plants (woody and herbaceous), wildlife, and/or geology/topography is desirable
• Capacity to collect and maintain field data in an organized manner that is easily understood and accessible to other resources staff
• Advanced skill using specialized software such as Microsoft Office Suite, ArcMap GIS, and Google Earth.

Responsibilities

• Ensure crew safety and provide leadership and oversight to a small field team (approximately two crew members).
• Coordinate daily field tasks and project logistics.
• Deliver or assist with field training and maintain communication with both USFS and GBI staff.
• Timber sale unit layout including boundary delineation using GPS navigation, flagging, and paint.
• Tree species identification.
• Salvage timber marking and timber cruising.
• Timber and biomass inventory data collection.
• Identification and marking of hazard trees following established protocols.
• Identification of resource concerns related to hydrology, heritage resources, wildlife habitat, and recreation.

Benefits

• Wage: $26/hour with overtime paid at 1.5× the hourly rate.
• Schedule: Full-time, averaging approximately 40 hours per week.
• For assignments longer than one year, this full-time onsite position includes company-paid comprehensive medical, dental (with optional upgraded coverage), and vision insurance, as well as a $25,000 Life/AD&D policy.
• Voluntary short-term and long-term disability policies are available, along with optional Life/AD&D coverage for family members.
• Employer-provided mental health support resources
• Competitive paid time off (PTO) accrual
• Paid holidays
• TSA employees who serve a term under 52 weeks in duration and have a break of 30 days or less between terms, and then sign a second term that cumulatively exceeds 52 weeks of employment, will become eligible for the greater-than-one-year TSA benefits equivalent to regular full-time employees

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level