Individual Placement - Timber Technician

Student Conservation Association

6h • Onsite

About The Position

The SCA Timber Technician will work alongside U.S. Forest Service staff to
support forest management activities in the Boulder Ranger District of the
Roosevelt National Forest. This position offers hands-on field experience in
forestry operations, timber stand improvement, and data collection, while
contributing to the sustainable management of public lands.

A significant portion of time is expected to support the St. Vrain Forest Health
project which will help prepare forests and communities to survive wildfire.
Timber crew members will assist with timber cruising, laying out and marking
cutting-unit boundaries, and utilizing GPS equipment and applications.

Requirements

• Must possess a valid driver’s license;
• Ability to conduct strenuous field work and carry heavy loads over difficult terrain;
• Must be able to work with other people on a crew and under the direction of USFS staff;
• Have a personal vehicle to travel between the office and housing. All travel to work sites will be in a government vehicle.
• All participants must be between the ages of 16 and 30, inclusive, or veterans age 35 or younger. Participants must also be a citizen or national of the United States or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in forestry, environmental sciences, natural resources, or a related field;
• Basic plant and tree identification skills;
• Willingness to work in remote outdoor settings for extended periods of time, often without cell service;
• Comfort driving 4x4 trucks on forest roads and in steep, rugged terrain

Responsibilities

• Conduct timber stand surveys, including measuring tree diameter at breast height (DBH), tree height, and species identification;
• Use GPS equipment and mapping applications to navigate cutting unit boundaries;
• Maintain accurate field notes and enter data into forest management systems (software including Survery123, Field Maps, Avenza, etc.);
• Operate hand tools and forestry equipment safely under supervision or independently
• Assist with cone scouting and seed collection for reforestation efforts;
• Survey seedling regeneration in cutting units and post-fire landscapes;
• Mark cutting unit boundaries with tracer paint;
• Perform contract inspections and post-contract surveys;
• Participate in team meetings and receive training in forestry techniques and safety protocols.

Benefits

• Living Allowance – $600/week
• One-time Travel Allowance – $1,100
• 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

What This Job Offers

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