Environmental Technician

Position         Environmental Technician – Restoration/Forestry/Land Management Crew Member, Assistant Crew Leader, Crew Leader

Salary             Crewmember starts at $20.00 per hour, Assistant Crew Leader $22.00 per hour, Crew Leader $23.00 per hour

Duration         May 6 — October 24, 2024 [Actual season dates are subject to change due to workload demands, weather and other adverse work conditions]

Background

Tahoe Resource Conservation District (Tahoe RCD) partners with the California Tahoe Conservancy to manage Tahoe RCD and state-owned lands through the Tahoe Conservation Partnership. Under the Tahoe Conservation Partnership, Tahoe RCD hires and manages field crews and resource specialists to perform natural resource management activities on public lands, owned by California Tahoe Conservancy and Tahoe RCD. This 30+ year relationship of restoration and land management allows Tahoe RCD and the Tahoe Conservancy to collaborate and manage approximately 4,700 parcels, totaling nearly 6,500 acres on the California side of the Lake Tahoe Basin, in addition to Tahoe RCD lands. This tremendous responsibility includes forest habitat enhancement and hazardous fuel reduction, resource protection and restoration, streambank stabilization, property inspection and maintenance, and aquatic invasive species management.

Tahoe RCD follows local and state guidelines and protocols regarding Covid-19. Daily operations and scheduling may be affected by current pandemic status and guidelines.

This position requires working in various adverse conditions including wildfire smoke, snow, rain, and extreme heat. Length of field season may be modified due to inclement weather, adverse field conditions and/or workload demands and funding constraints.

Primary Duties

This is a labor-intensive and physically demanding position, working as an integral member of a crew implementing restoration, forestry, and/or maintenance projects, as well as performing other associated tasks. This position may require flexible work hours when needed including holidays, evenings, and weekends. Note that the following list of crew activities is not exhaustive and may include cross-program coordination. The following lists various crew activities and assignments:

Restoration Crew:

• Encroachment resolution, restoration, and site protection (fence/vehicle barrier installation)
• Ecological restoration, revegetation, and soil erosion control measures
• Invasive plant species management using non-herbicide methods
• Fuel hazard reduction and vegetation removal
• Road and/or trail removal, rehabilitation, and stabilization
• Litter, debris, and hazardous waste removal
• Coordination on unhoused and potential encampment(s) resolution
• Cross-program support including property and facility maintenance, post-incident (fire, flooding, etc.) stabilization, large-scale river restoration activities, etc.

Forestry Crew: 

• Hazard tree removal
• Fuel hazard reduction
• Forest health improvement
• Wildlife habitat enhancement
• Roping/rigging for safe tree removal
• Pile building, dragging slash, chipping
• Litter, debris, and hazardous waste removal
• Coordination on unhoused and potential encampment(s) resolution

Land Management Crew: 

• Fence and vehicle barrier installation and repair
• Hazard tree removal and fuel hazard reduction
• Roping/rigging for safe tree removal
• Litter, debris, and hazardous waste removal
• Coordination on unhoused and potential encampment(s) resolution
• Property and facility maintenance including public recreation sites

General daily job duties may include, but are not limited to:

• Safely operating tools and equipment including chainsaws, chippers, brush cutters, various power/hand tools, and heavy equipment
• Actively participating in routine safety talks and training sessions
• Caring for, maintaining, and ensuring the security of State tools, property, and equipment
• Serving as secondary driver for crew and equipment to and from work sites
• Performing warehouse maintenance and organization tasks

Applicants must demonstrate ability to work as a professional, mature team member in stressful and physically demanding situations.