Conservation Crew Lead

POSITION – Conservation Crew Lead
PRIMARY ROLES – Lead the conservation technicians in day-to-day project work including fuels and forest health, ecosystem restoration, environmental compliance, and watershed health projects.
TYPE – Seasonal Full Time
LOCATION – Quincy, CA

INTRODUCTION

This opportunity is for a Seasonal Conservation Technician Crew Lead position with the Feather River Resource Conservation District (FRRCD), working on various restoration project in the Plumas National Forest. Projects will complete watershed and forest health restoration activities in areas where high severity fire occurred on National Forest System lands on the Plumas National Forest (PNF), Mt. Hough Ranger District. Major projects include the Emergency Forest Restoration Team, which aids Plumas County private landowners in restoring their property post fire, and the North Quincy Wildfire Resiliency Project. This position is based out of Quincy, CA.

This position will require leading the conservation crew in training and day-to-day project work including reforestation contract inspection, hazardous fuels reduction, wildlife surveys, prescribed fire, timber stand improvement (TSI), habitat and landscape restoration, and various other projects that meet the FRRCD mission. The position is full-time at ~40 hrs a week and typically will fall under a 4/10s schedule. The Lead Technician will report to, and co-lead with, the Field Operations Manager (FOM) and will work with other staff as needed to ensure the successful implementation of projects.

It is expected a crew of 2 to 4 field technicians will be hired to work under the direction of the Conservation Crew Lead and Field Operations Manager. Position is likely to start in May/June 2025 and go through October.

Compensation is $26-29/hr DOE.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Leading and organizing the conservation technicians in day-to-day activities, including getting them laid out for work in the morning and end of day tasks.
• Conduct post-fire regeneration surveys on USFS and private land with the goal of assessing planting success and forest stand health.
• Serve as inspector on specific contracts as assigned. Inspects silviculture contract work (e.g., planting, thinning, herbicide, site preparation) for compliance with contract. Assists in directing contractor in steps necessary for contract compliance and reports violations to the PA or the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). Ensures all provisions are enforced and proper measures are taken to protect or enhance values in accordance with contract objectives. This entails inspecting seedlings planted by a contract crew for proper planting specifications and proper application of herbicide around seedlings. FRRCD crew will not be planting seedlings or applying herbicide themselves.
• Utilizing chainsaws for the purpose of hazardous fuels reduction and aspen stand restoration. Work includes hand thinning with chainsaws and building and wrapping slash piles.
• Potentially conduct wildlife surveys as a part of NEPA and CEQA compliance prior to fuels reduction projects.
• Work on wetland and riparian mitigation projects performing duties related to riparian enhancement and invasive weed control. Major duties include planting, plant protection, irrigation operation and maintenance, assisting with botanical surveys, hand pulling invasive weeds, biological surveys and monitoring.
• Establish boundaries and exclusions for project areas using flagging, tablets, and GPS devices.
• Site prep for and potential to volunteer at prescribed fires and pile burning.
• Other duties and projects as assigned.

This position requires long hours on uneven terrain, confidence in project design, and knowledge of natural resource management practices. The ability to self-direct and multi-task is a must. During inspection of planting release, inspectors will be inspecting and in proximity to herbicide spot-treatments.

Based on work availability and performance, this position has potential for extension. The Feather River Resource Conservation District is building other natural resource management programs including prescribed fire, watershed restoration, noxious weed control, and more.

FRRCD is requiring all crew lead positions to have Wilderness First Responder Certification. If it is required that the applicant take the course prior to employment, reimbursement will be provided after three months of employment

If participating in prescribed burn activities: technician must provide their own fire boots meeting these criteria: 8-inch high Vibram sole leather boots. This gear is not a requirement for the position, but it is a requirement for this potential job duty.