Forestry Technician (TSI) (Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit)

GREAT BASIN INSTITUTE • South Lake Tahoe, CA

35d • $22 - $22 • Onsite

About The Position

The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service is recruiting Forestry Crew positions to support the study and review of proposed actions in the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. Upcoming roles are typically active from spring to fall each year (typically May - October). These projects all serve the Basin & Range Forestry program’s greater mission of helping the USFS in their critical goal of improving forest resilience in the face of worsening climate conditions and increased wildfire threats. Timber Stand Improvement Crews will serve vegetation management and fuels reduction efforts, supporting initiatives for healthy, productive, and resilient forest landscapes and resources. This forestry crew is responsible for completing field duties in steep physical terrain above 40% slope, requiring significant off-trail hiking. Project work may include post fire recovery efforts with assignments varying by forest location and project needs. Technician - Essential Job Functions may include the following: Support forestry field projects by conducting assigned field tasks under the direction of a crew lead Forestry activities, including: Timber sale unit boundary delineation and layout using GPS, flagging, and painting Tree species identification Timber and biomass plot cruising Collection of stand examination and silviculture data Navigate and perform duties in difficult terrain in all weather conditions, including rain and extreme heat. Extensive off-trail hiking in steep terrain, sometimes up to 12 miles daily. General silviculture and stand data collection Navigate to plots and work sites using GPS units and topographic maps Accurately record, maintain, and organize field data Maintain field supplies and equipment Follow established protocols, safety procedures, and project guidance LOCATION Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit The LTBMU totals over 156,000 acres of stunning National Forest lands around beautiful Lake Tahoe in Northern CA and Western NV. WORK SCHEDULE Projects begin in May end by late October. Season schedules are project specific. Timber Stand Improvement positions follow 10 hour days, 4 days a week schedule. COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS Tech Wage: $21.64/hour with overtime at 1.5x hourly rate. Full time, average 40 hours per week Onsite housing is provided. Shared sleeping quarters should be expected if staying in provided housing. In addition to a competitive base salary, this full-time,onsite position includes company-paid comprehensive medical, dental (with option to upgrade in coverage), and vision insurance, as well as $25,000 Life/AD&D policy. Voluntary short-term and long-term disability policies are available, and voluntary Life/AD&D policies for family members. Mental health support resources are employer provided, competitive PTO accrual, and paid holidays. This exciting role contributes to GBI’s significant positive impacts within the fields of environmental research, education, and conservation. TSA employees who serve a term under 52 weeks in duration, and have a thirty (30) day or less break between terms, and then sign a second term that (cumulatively) becomes greater than 52 weeks of employment, will be eligible for the >1-year TSA benefits (equivalent to Regular full-time employees).

Requirements

• Familiarity with standard forestry field methods and willingness to learn additional techniques
• Ability to accurately follow established data collection, inventory, assessment, and monitoring protocols
• Proficiency or developing skills in GPS navigation, map reading, and compass use
• Ability to work effectively as part of a field crew and take direction from crew leads
• Clear communication skills for working with crew members, contractors, and agency staff
• Ability to work safely and productively in remote field settings, including overnight camping when required
• Physical ability to perform outdoor fieldwork, including carrying up to 50 pounds of equipment in varied terrain and seasonal conditions
• Possess a clean, valid, state-issued driver’s license
• Bachelor’s degree in Forestry, Natural Resource Management, or a related field with relevant coursework and field experience OR one season of professional forestry fieldwork experience.

Nice To Haves

• Experience or coursework preferred supporting forestry fieldwork and data collection

Responsibilities

• Support forestry field projects by conducting assigned field tasks under the direction of a crew lead
• Forestry activities, including: Timber sale unit boundary delineation and layout using GPS, flagging, and painting
• Tree species identification
• Timber and biomass plot cruising
• Collection of stand examination and silviculture data
• Navigate and perform duties in difficult terrain in all weather conditions, including rain and extreme heat.
• Extensive off-trail hiking in steep terrain, sometimes up to 12 miles daily.
• General silviculture and stand data collection
• Navigate to plots and work sites using GPS units and topographic maps
• Accurately record, maintain, and organize field data
• Maintain field supplies and equipment
• Follow established protocols, safety procedures, and project guidance

Benefits

• company-paid comprehensive medical, dental (with option to upgrade in coverage), and vision insurance
• $25,000 Life/AD&D policy
• Voluntary short-term and long-term disability policies are available, and voluntary Life/AD&D policies for family members
• Mental health support resources are employer provided
• competitive PTO accrual
• paid holidays
• Onsite housing is provided

What This Job Offers

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