Helene Mitigation Assistant Lead/Forest Tech II (Temporary) (Buncombe County)

State of North Carolina • Asheville, NC

1d • $28

About The Position

This is a temporary position and there are no leave or retirement benefits offered with this position. Temporary employees who work an annual average of 30 or more hours per week may be eligible for health insurance coverage under the High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP). For more information on Health Benefits offered visit www.shpnc.org. Visit www.nctemporarysolutions.com for employment information. Note: Permanent and time-limited NC State Government employees must separate from their permanent or time-limited position in order to work in a temporary position. All temporary employees are limited to one NC State Government temporary assignment at a time. Individuals hired into a temporary State job must be fully qualified for the job. OSHR supports the Governor's Job Ready initiative and seeks to expand a temporary skill set to enhance their qualifications for State government and private sector jobs. Exposure to an agency's culture, process, procedures, and potential learning opportunities can provide valuable experience to those who may seek permanent employment with the state. This temporary position is located in 14 Gaston Mountain Road, Asheville NC - Buncombe County with the Dept of Agriculture & Consumer Services - Forestry Service (NCFS). Job Order Hourly Rate of Pay: $28.00 (Based on education and/or years of relevant work experience reflected on the application). The mission of the North Carolina Forest Service (NCFS) is to protect, manage, and promote forest resources for the citizens of North Carolina. The Helene Mitigation Assistant will assist the Crew Lead with focus primarily on invasive species management, fuel mitigation, prescribed burning and wildfire control in Helene impacted areas. Assists with the supervision of Helene mitigation crew of up to 10. Responsible for keeping track of crew work. Conducts daily inspection and maintenance of equipment and spray apparatus. Properly completes daily work logs and reporting logs for equipment maintenance hours and ensuring time is submitted weekly. Assumes responsibility for crew safety, navigation, and training. Work Schedule: • Standard work week will be Monday through Friday 0800 hours to 1700 hours but will change frequently and on short notice. • Wildfire and disaster/emergency response requires year-round readiness and may require extended working hours and days. • Work week is 40 hours with occasionally some weeks over 40 hours occasional weekend hours. • Require willingness to travel and stay overnight frequently • May be subject to afterhours callback during high fire danger and natural disasters. • Residency required within assigned work area and/or within 60 minutes of the Region 3 Office in Asheville NC or Morganton Forestry Center in Morganton NC.

Requirements

• Associate’s degree in forest management or an environmental or natural science curriculum from an appropriately accredited institution and three years of related experience in providing forestry services; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Possession of a valid North Carolina driver’s license required within 90 days of hire.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with or knowledge of wildland fire principles related to urban interface.
• CPR certified and training as first responder.
• Training in Firewise USA, Ready Set GO, or other specialized wildland urban interface training.
• Completion of Firefighter Training such as S-130 Basic Wildland Firefighting Training, S-190 Intro to Wildland Fire Behavior, L-180, Human Factors in the Wildland Fire Service, and/or the NC Forest Service Basic Wildland Fire Suppression for Fire Departments course.
• Ability to operate various types of equipment in a safe and efficient manner (e.g.: chainsaw, ATV, tractor and implements, leaf blower, radio, hand tools, drip torch, backpack sprayers, etc.).
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions from colleagues.
• Ability to evaluate inputs in a rapidly changing work environment and make decisions that affect field technicians and operational safety.
• Ability to perform physical work, sometimes under adverse conditions or in inclement weather.
• Ability to learn how to correctly identify invasive plants with minimal review, and to differentiate invasive plants from native vegetation of similar appearance as well as mix, handle, and apply herbicides in accordance with label and supervisor instructions.
• Ability to perform physical work, sometimes under adverse conditions or in inclement weather.
• Ability to navigate to remote sites with maps, written directions, and GPS.
• Experience supervising employees

Responsibilities

• Assist the Crew Lead with focus primarily on invasive species management, fuel mitigation, prescribed burning and wildfire control in Helene impacted areas.
• Assists with the supervision of Helene mitigation crew of up to 10.
• Responsible for keeping track of crew work.
• Conducts daily inspection and maintenance of equipment and spray apparatus.
• Properly completes daily work logs and reporting logs for equipment maintenance hours and ensuring time is submitted weekly.
• Assumes responsibility for crew safety, navigation, and training.

Benefits

• Temporary employees who work an annual average of 30 or more hours per week may be eligible for health insurance coverage under the High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree