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Conservation Technician Crew Lead

Deadline:
Employer:
Feather River Resource Conservation District
Job Field:
Forestry
Wildlife
Other
Job Type:
Seasonal, Temporary, Internship
Location:
California
Location Detail:
Quincy
Job Description:

INTRODUCTION

This opportunity is for a Seasonal Conservation Technician Crew Lead position with the Feather River Resource Conservation District (FRRCD), working primarily on the Moonlight Fire Area Restoration Project on the Plumas National Forest. Project will complete watershed and forest health restoration activities in areas where the high severity fire occurred on National Forest System lands on the Plumas National Forest (PNF), Mt. Hough Ranger District. Other 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 hours per week and runs from around late February 2023 to November 2023 depending on weather. The Lead Technician will report to, and co-lead with, an assigned Project Assistant (PA) 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 Lead Technician and Project Assistant. Compensation is $22-23/hr DOE.

 

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Leading and organizing the forestry technician crew in day-to-day activities, including getting them laid out for work in the morning and end of day tasks.

• Serves 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.

• Conduct surveys for Northern goshawks and California spotted owls as a part of NEPA and CEQA compliance prior to fuels reduction projects.

• Conduct timber stand improvement surveys for pre-commercial thinning and fuels reduction projects.

• Working 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.

• Conduct botany surveys.

• Participation in prescribed fires and pile burning.

• Other duties and projects as assigned.

Qualifications:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

The successful applicant for the position must possess the following minimum qualifications:

 

• 2 years of experience working on project work “on the ground” in conservation, forestry, or related field.

• A valid driver’s license and a safe driving record. (4-wheel drive experience preferred.)

• Ability and willingness to work in inclement weather, and work on holidays and weekends.

• Physical capability and endurance to conduct fieldwork in remote settings under strenuous conditions, including the ability to carry up to 50 lbs. over rough terrain and hike for an extended length of time in extreme heat.

• Knowledge of the fundamentals of natural resource management, forestry, ecology and general concepts involved in the district assignment.

• Ability to take direction from the PA as well as independently assess and prioritize project work and direct crew members effectively through daily task assignments.

• Ability to be well organized and handle occasionally challenging field logistics.

• Ability to follow detailed field protocols and thoroughly collect data.

• Ability to effectively communicate with crew members, partnering organizations, and the public.

• Demonstrated experience or interest in a leadership and/or supervisory role.

• Ability to adhere to workplace safety protocols.

 

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Ideally, the successful applicant will possess the following skills:

 

• Bachelor’s degree in forestry, natural resource sciences, biology, or related field preferred. Related work experience may substitute for education qualification.

• Knowledge of, and work experience with, natural resource management, particularly forestry, silviculture, and resource conservation.

• Experience hiking in the Sierra Nevada or areas of similar elevation and climate.

• Experience and aptitude operating handheld electronic equipment such as smart phones, digital cameras, GPS units, radios, tablets, etc.

• Sufficient experience with computer applications to input and manage data, including MS Office, G Suite, and Adobe programs.

• Experience with the use and maintenance of chainsaws, specifically for the purpose of tree felling.

• Experience in wildland or prescribed fire and an active Red Card, or the desire to obtain one.

• Current Wilderness First Responder certification.

• Ability to communicate in Spanish.

Miscellaneous:

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.

 

COMPENSATION

Financial compensation will be commensurate with applicable experience, ranging from $22 to $23 an hour depending on experience. Benefits include paid sick time, a cell phone stipend, and vacation time accrual after six months of employment, as well as a flexible work schedule in a fast-paced, positive work environment.

 

 

 

Salary:
$22-23/hr DOE
How to Apply:

TO APPLY

To apply for this position please email a cover letter and a current resume including 3 references in PDF format to Mitch Poling at mpoling@frrcd.org. Applications must be submitted by the end of the day on January 6, 2023.

 

FEATHER RIVER RCD IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY TO ALL REGARDLESS OF RACE, COLOR, CREED, NATIONAL ORIGIN, ANCESTRY, SEX, MARITAL STATUS, DISABILITY, RELIGIOUS OR POLITICAL AFFILIATION, AGE OR SEXUAL ORIENTATION. IT IS THE OBJECTIVE OF THE FEATHER RIVER RCD TO ACHIEVE A DRUG FREE WORKPLACE. ANY APPLICANT WILL BE EXPECTED TO BEHAVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS OBJECTIVE BECAUSE THE USE OF ILLEGAL DRUGS IS INCONSISTENT WITH THE LAW OF THE STATE, CIVIL SERVICE RULES, AND A SPECIAL TRUST PLACED IN PUBLIC SERVANTS.

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