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Timber Stand Improvement (Contract Inspection) Crew Member

The Great Basin Institute AmeriCorps Environmental Service Program, in cooperation with the US Forest Service Eldorado National Forest, is recruiting four Timber Stand Improvement Crew Members to work cooperatively with USFS and GBI staff to perform inspection of contracted vegetation management and restoration projects within forest/woodland areas. This service opportunity provides professional development exposure to standard forest management practices while supporting USFS initiatives for healthy and productive forest landscapes and resources. Service duties will principally involve inspecting outcomes of fuels reduction, planting, and weed treatments. 

Projects to improve the condition of targeted areas on USFS lands will be done by contractors; GBI Timber Stand Improvement (Contract Inspection) crews conduct compliance checks while contractors are on site. Inspection criteria for planting include assessment of: spacing between trees, site selection and preparation, stem position, planting depth, seedling firmness, species mixture, and root configuration and condition. Inspection criteria for herbicide application include foliar inspections and checks of herbicide spray rates, as well as monitoring other factors such as wind speed and precipitation. Additional service duties include assisting with site preparation (debris removal and flagging), some felling of small-diameter trees and brush trimming (involves chainsaw use), and some pesticide application. Training will be provided in chainsaw operation, pesticide application, and other project-specific techniques.

Three two-person Timber Stand Improvement (Contract Inspection) crews, comprising one crew lead and one crew member per crew, will perform this service in coordination with USFS. Please note that, for several consecutive weeks at a time, the schedule of GBI crews aligns with the schedule of contractors when the contractors are on site. During these phases, long days of up to 12 hours duration are expected. Hours are expected to average 40/week during the season.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Forestry (preferred), Botany or other related natural science field, with coursework and experience that demonstrate understanding of the principles of forestry and their application;
- Knowledge of the mixed conifer forests typical of eastern California, including common plants (woody and herbaceous), wildlife, and/or geology/topography;
- Ability to communicate effectively, both written and orally, with a diverse audience;
- Ability to navigate and collect data using handheld GPS units;
- Ability to use a compass and topographic map to navigate;
- Experience in chainsaw operation and pesticide application preferred;
- Possess a clean, valid, state-issued driver’s license with ability to safely operate and maintain a 4WD vehicle on and off paved roads;
- Ability to live and work in rural and remote field and office setting; 
- Physically fit to work outdoors, carry up to 50 pounds of personal and/or field equipment, and withstand the rigors of a forested and/or high desert environment in all seasons; 
- Willingness and ability to camp in remote, primitive sites for several consecutive days; 
- Familiarity with best practices for field safety and Leave No Trace principles; and
- Willingness and ability to consistently enact high performance standards and a strong work and team ethic in support of the mission of - GBI and the goals and objectives of the USFS.
- Meet AmeriCorps eligibility requirements: (1) U.S. citizenship or legal resident alien status, (2) eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award (limit of four in a lifetime or the equivalent of two full-time education awards), (3) pass National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW) and federal criminal background checks, (4) adhere to the rules, regulations and code of conduct as specified in the Member Service Agreement; and (5) will not engage in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.

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