Harvest Inspector (Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit)

GREAT BASIN INSTITUTE • South Lake Tahoe, CA

38d • $24 - $24

About The Position

The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with the USFS, is recruiting a Harvest Inspector to help perform timber contract administration duties in the Sierra Nevada region. 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. The work that you will do directly improves the quality of these forests helping ensure they continue to thrive for generations to come. Technicians will serve vegetation management and fuels reduction efforts, supporting initiatives for healthy, productive, and resilient forest landscapes and resources. Project work may include post fire recovery efforts.

LOCATION Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU), CA The Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit is a United States National Forest that manages and protects public land surrounding Lake Tahoe and the Lake Tahoe Basin. Straddling the state borders of California and Nevada in the Sierra Nevada, the LTBMU encompasses 154,851 acres (626 km2) of National Forest system lands. The LTBMU is a unique inter-mix of forest and urban communities, presenting challenges and complexities few other National Forests experience. Since its establishment in 1973, the LTBMU has become a pioneer and leader in the science of forest and ecosystem management.

WORK SCHEDULE This position is seasonal, running from mid-May to mid-November, with start and end dates dependent on project and weather conditions. Forestry Technicians typically work four 10-hour days per week, however there is potential for schedule changes as needed by project supervisors, including five 8-hour days weekly in some cases. TSA employees are eligible for holiday pay, subject to partner approval, and will follow the partner’s holiday schedule unless otherwise specified in the employment offer. TSAs working four 10-hour days per week will receive 10 hours of pay for holidays; those working five 8-hour days per week will receive 8 hours of pay for holidays.

This exciting opportunity contributes to GBI's significant positive impacts in the fields of environmental research, education, and conservation.

Requirements

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to collect, maintain, and organize field data for efficient team access.
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, with a variety of stakeholders.
• Proficiency in using handheld GPS units, compasses, and topographic maps for navigation.
• Valid state-issued driver’s license with the ability to operate and maintain a 4WD vehicle in off-road environments.
• Ability to work and live in remote field settings with minimal supervision.
• Physically fit to work outdoors, carry up to 50 pounds, and endure challenging forested or high desert environments in all seasons.
• A Bachelor’s degree in Forestry (preferred), Natural Resource Management, or a related field, with coursework and experience that demonstrates a solid understanding of forestry principles.
• At least six months of professional fieldwork experience in the forestry field.

Nice To Haves

• Preferred familiarity with timber cruising and marking techniques, along with resource management issues specific to the Sierra Nevada ecoregion.
• Knowledge of mixed conifer forests, including common plants, wildlife, geology, and topography of eastern California.
• Communicate clearly and respectfully in a professional setting, including the ability to communicate project expectations with contract crews and the public
• Ability to adhere to USFS data collection, inventory, and monitoring protocols.
• Preferred experience with timber operations.

Responsibilities

• Assist with timber sale unit boundary redelineation
• Conduct timber contract inspections, including:
• Ensure operator compliance with harvesting plan
• Ensure proper use of equipment by contract crews
• Enforce best management practices and resource protection measures
• Ensure proper clean clean up of operations
• Support timber cruising and biomass plot cruising for resource assessments.
• Collect general silvicultural data, including stand examination and forest health metrics.
• Ensure accurate and organized field data collection and management for team use.
• Assist with maintaining safety standards and protocol adherence during field operations.

Benefits

• Medical, dental (with an option for upgraded coverage), and vision insurance
• A $25,000 Life/AD&D policy
• Voluntary short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Optional Life/AD&D coverage for family members
• Mental health support resources
• Generous paid time off (PTO) accrual and paid holidays
• TSA employees who serve a term of less than 52 weeks, with a break of 30 days or fewer, and then sign a subsequent term that, when combined, exceeds 52 weeks of employment, will be eligible for benefits typically provided to full-time employees.

What This Job Offers

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