Individual Placement - Invasive Species Management Crew Lead
About The Position
The Crew Lead will be leading a crew of 1 to 2 SCA placements in weed management and range monitoring activities on Forest Service lands managed by the Boulder and Clear Creek Ranger Districts. This crew will work independent of direct supervision and will supervise crew members in field preparation and operations. While there are staff to assist with local knowledge, direct supervision and support is located in other offices and therefore this crew will be highly independent in nature. The Crew Lead and crew will be trained in basic native and invasive plant identification, invasive plant control techniques, safe herbicide use, record keeping and data collection methods. The crew will be required to work in remote locations, use herbicides in a safe manner, and operate 4x4 trucks safely across rugged two-track and 4x4 roads. Field vehicles, PPE, safety training, and equipment will be provided by the host forest. Most of the work will be tailored around weed management, often using backpack sprayers or occasionally a truck or utv mounted spray rig. Manual weed treatments are used when practical, such as clipping and bagging flower heads. The Crew Lead and crew may be tasked with supporting youth corps crews or volunteers. Some work will be aiding the Ecologist in project based botanical surveys such as vegetation monitoring and occurrence surveys. This position will focus on supporting native Forest Service lands, however there is a potential to help other resource crews depending upon interest and opportunities.
Requirements
- Must have a valid driver’s license
- Must have experience, be comfortable and be able to work safely with herbicides and spray equipment (Note: Herbicides used are approved by the Forest Service and are ranked with the Cautionary or Warning label, the Forest Service rarely uses any herbicides with the Danger label rating)
- Must be able to complete strenuous field work, carry heavy loads over rugged terrain and work in hot, dry conditions or inclement weather
- Some experience in Rocky Mountain native and invasive plant communities and general ecology is beneficial
- Must be able to drive 4x4 trucks on forest roads
- Must be able to work with other people on a crew and under the direction of USFS staff
Nice To Haves
- Bachelors or Master’s Degree in Ecology, Invasive Species Management, Rangeland Management or related fields
- Colorado or another state Pesticide License
- Knowledge of how to calibrate spray equipment and calculate herbicide rates
- Experience with conducting rangeland and vegetation surveys and using taxonomical keys
- Crew Lead experience
- GIS experience (Field Maps, AGOL, ArcPro/ArcMap)
- Comfortability driving 4x4 trucks
- Experience working for the Forest Service or another land management agency.
Responsibilities
- Invasive plant species treatment and monitoring including herbicide use, calibrating and troubleshooting spraying equipment and using spray pumps
- Leading seasonal crew members and occasionally youth corps or volunteer groups in weed management activities
- Keeping detailed herbicide treatment records and uploading data to the FS NRM database (Training will be provided)
- Mapping of invasive plant populations and treatment sites
- Surveying rangelands and botanical resources based on project needs
- Representing the Forest Service while interacting with public
Benefits
- Living Allowance – $750/week
- One-time Travel Allowance – $1,500
- Housing Allowance - $400/month
- Federal Holiday Off (if required to work, an alternative day will be scheduled off)
- Defensive Driving Training
- First Aid/CPR
- Off-Road Vehicle Safety
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
