Tree Faller (Seasonal)

National Park Service • Sequoia National Park, CA

5d • Onsite

About The Position

This is a temporary seasonal Tree Faller appointment, typically running from April through November, though the season may vary with weather, project needs, and funding. The anticipated entry-on-duty date is April 2027. The appointment is not to exceed 1,039 hours and is expected to end when the season’s work is completed. Government housing may be available.

The position involves felling trees of moderate difficulty and complexity in developed and undeveloped areas, using chainsaws and specialized tools. The Tree Faller assesses tree species, defects, wood characteristics, and environmental hazards; performs rigging and removal using ropes, cables, and related equipment; and protects public safety, property, and the surrounding environment. Work takes place in varied vegetation and elevations, often in steep, hazardous terrain and adverse weather. The employee may assist with prescribed and suppression fire activities, drive and tow equipment, and operate equipment such as aerial lift trucks, brush chippers, stump grinders, and portable winches.

The position requires excellent physical condition, including operating chainsaws weighing approximately 20 to 55 pounds and lifting, carrying, and moving materials weighing 10 to 60 pounds. Work may involve long-distance travel on foot carrying heavy loads, primitive spike camps, emergency conditions, and exposure to equipment fumes, vibration, dust, and noise. On-call work, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime, and shift work may be required. Employees must wear a uniform; a uniform allowance is provided.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Appointment is subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered for Selective Service.
• Must participate in direct deposit and successfully pass E-Verify employment verification.
• Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license throughout employment.
• Must wear a uniform and comply with uniform standards.
• Must be at least 18 years old, or at least 16 and meet one of the stated education, vocational training, school-authority, or student-employment conditions.
• Must demonstrate the ability to perform Tree Faller work without more than normal supervision, including chainsaw operation, tree felling, tree assessment, specialized tool selection, rigging, and equipment operation.
• Must be able to drive vehicles up to 26,000 pounds in varied weather, tow and maneuver trailers in limited spaces, and perform pre-trip inspections.
• Must meet at least 2 points on the screen-out element(s) and an average of at least 2 points on all job elements to be considered qualified.
• Must document relevant experience and training in the resume; the resume must support assessment questionnaire responses.
• Must be in excellent physical condition and able to operate chainsaws weighing approximately 20 to 55 pounds, lift and carry materials weighing 10 to 60 pounds, and carry heavy loads over long distances.
• Must be able to work in all weather conditions, steep mountainous terrain, varied vegetation and elevations, and potentially hazardous or emergency situations.
• May be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime, and shift work.

Responsibilities

• Fell trees of moderate difficulty and complexity in developed and undeveloped areas using chainsaws.
• Recognize tree species, defects, wood characteristics, and environmental hazards that may affect felling results.
• Select and use appropriate methods and specialized tools to fell trees in the desired direction.
• Use ropes, cables, slings, pulleys, friction devices, and related rigging hardware to hold, lower, or maneuver tree sections, including in limited spaces near buildings or other valued property.
• Protect public safety, property, and the surrounding environment while performing tree work.
• Assist with prescribed and suppression fire activities when assigned.
• Drive medium-duty trucks and tow equipment on narrow, winding, steep roads and in varied weather conditions.
• Operate aerial lift trucks, brush chippers, stump grinders, portable winches, portable blowers, and other assigned equipment.
• Operate skid steer loaders and perform pre-trip inspections of vehicles and equipment.
• Load, pull, carry, and move limbs, small logs, firewood, and other materials during work-site cleanup.
• Work in steep terrain, varied elevations, adverse weather, and potentially hazardous or emergency conditions.

Benefits

• Uniform allowance
• Government housing may be available
• Federal employee benefits package; specific eligibility depends on position type and other factors

What This Job Offers

• Education Level: No Education Listed