Urban Lots Management (ULM) Crewmember (Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit)

USFS, California

The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit is recruiting Forestry Crew positions to support the study and review of proposed actions in National Forests in the Western U.S. 

These projects serve the Basin & Range Forestry program’s greater mission of helping the USFS in their critical goal of improving forest resilience in the face of worsening climate conditions and increased wildfire threats. Urban Lots Management Forestry Crews will serve vegetation management and fuels reduction efforts, supporting initiatives for healthy, productive, and resilient urban forest landscapes and resources. Urban Lots Management crews focus on assessing and removing trees that pose a hazard to public health and property. Project work may include post fire recovery efforts with assignments varying by forest location and project needs.

 

Technician - Essential Job Functions may include the following:

• Support forestry field projects by conducting assigned field tasks under the direction of a crew lead
• Forestry activities, including:
  • Tree species identification
  • Collection of stand examination and silviculture data
• Conduct hazard tree assessments and risk evaluation
• Navigate to plots and work sites using GPS units and topographic maps
• Accurately record, maintain, and organize field data
• Maintain field supplies and equipment
• Operate and run equipment such as chainsaws and woodchippers 
• Facilitate mutually beneficial interactions with the public, including private homeowners 
• Follow established protocols, safety procedures, and project guidance

 

LOCATION

Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit

The LTBMU totals over 156,000 acres of stunning National Forest lands around beautiful Lake Tahoe in Northern CA and Western NV.

WORK SCHEDULE

Projects begin as early as March and end as late as November. Season schedules are project specific. 

Most Forestry Crew positions follow 10 hour days, 4 days a week schedule. 

 

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Tech Wage: $21.64/hour with overtime at 1.5x hourly rate. Full time, average 40 hours per week

Housing provided for most positions. Shared sleeping quarters should be expected if staying in provided housing.

 

In addition to a competitive base salary, this full-time, onsite position includes company-paid comprehensive medical, dental (with option to upgrade in coverage), and vision insurance, as well as $25,000 Life/AD&D policy. Voluntary short-term and long-term disability policies are available, and voluntary Life/AD&D policies for family members. Mental health support resources are employer provided, competitive PTO accrual, and paid holidays. This exciting role contributes to GBI’s significant positive impacts within the fields of environmental research, education, and conservation.

 

TSA employees who serve a term under 52 weeks in duration, and have a thirty (30) day or less break between terms, and then sign a second term that (cumulatively) becomes greater than 52 weeks of employment, will be eligible for the >1-year TSA benefits (equivalent to Regular full-time employees).

To perform this job successfully, employees must be able to satisfactorily carry out each essential duty. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 

Technician - Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Experience or coursework supporting forestry fieldwork and data collection

• Familiarity with standard forestry field methods and willingness to learn additional techniques
• Ability to accurately follow established data collection, inventory, assessment, and monitoring protocols
• Proficiency or developing skills in GPS navigation, map reading, and compass use
• Ability to work effectively as part of a field crew and take direction from crew leads
• Clear communication skills for working with crew members, contractors, and agency staff, and members of the public. 
• Ability to work safely and productively in remote field settings, including overnight camping when required
• Physical ability to perform outdoor fieldwork, including carrying up to 50 pounds of equipment in varied terrain and seasonal conditions
• Knowledge of urban infrastructure including public utilities, power lines, and the 
• Demonstrated ability to operate a chainsaw preferred

• Possess a clean, valid, state-issued driver’s license
  

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Forestry, Natural Resource Management, or a related field with relevant coursework and field experience OR one season of professional forestry fieldwork experience.

 

TO APPLY

Please submit an up-to-date resume, a one-page cover letter that details your interest in the position, and any qualifications not fully outlined in your resume, and contact information for three professional references. Qualified applicants will be contacted to schedule an interview. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Hazards in burned areas may include hazard trees, stump holes, and root holes. Work will consist of mark trees on steep slopes and rugged terrain with areas of dense brush and down woody debris. Environmental hazards may include yellowjackets and other wildlife. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands, stand, walk, bend, and have specific vision abilities to include close and distance vision, and ability to adjust focus working with job/industry specific equipment. The noise level in the work environment is usually low.

 

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the organization's ongoing needs.

 

Disclaimer: Although the organization has attempted to accurately and thoroughly describe this position, GBI reserves the right to change the same, including to change, add to or subtract from the duties outlined, within the sole discretion of the organization, at any time, with or without advance notice.