Forest Restoration Field Technician

The South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL) is collaborating with the Tahoe National Forest on non-native invasive vegetation management projects, including invasive fuels reduction work in high fire-risk areas. Vegetation management is crucial for protecting sensitive natural resources including native botanical and animal species, as well as for restoring forested landscapes to their historic conditions. SYRCL is committed to restoring resiliency to forested landscapes across the Yuba River watershed, and to monitoring the impacts of forest resilience treatments on both plant and water resources, as part of the landscape-planning and management actions taking place on National Forest System lands.

SYRCL is hiring three full-time Forest Restoration Field Technicians to work on the Tahoe National Forest on 1) non-native and invasive weeds removal projects and 2) providing intermittent support for riparian zone and water quality monitoring surveys on forest treatment plots. Crew members will work on a team of 4 people under the direction of a Restoration Crew Leader to treat invasive plants that pose high fire risk throughout the National Forest, as part of SYRCL’s efforts to support the Tahoe National Forest in building community fire resilience and watershed health. Technicians will be responsible for identifying specific invasive plants, removing plants with hand tools, tracking treatments and working with field data, and disposing of plant material in a safe, effective manner. Technicians will spend 15-20% of their field days supporting the Forest Health Coordinator on riparian vegetation and water quality surveys as outlined by the BLM’s national AIM program protocol. This work includes navigating to sites, delineating survey areas, laying out field transects for vegetative data collection, and assisting with collection of water quality metrics at field sites.

This is a full-time, non-exempt, and temporary position. The typical work week will comprise four ten-hour days including a 30-minute lunch break, with work taking place from 7:00 am – 5:30 pm. The season will last for approximately 17 weeks, from May 5th – August 29th (start and end dates are tentative and are subject to vary by 1-2 weeks).

FIELD TECHNICIAN DUTIES

• Work on a 3–4-person field crew completing hand treatments of target invasive weed species on the Tahoe National Forest
• Travel to and from work sites and work in remote areas without cell service, often in dry, hot weather
• Monitor noxious weed populations using standardized protocols to ensure treatment effectiveness, as needed
• Delineate infestations with GPS units, collect data with Survey123 and/or FieldMaps software, and manage data collection and reporting
• Manage, clean, and store field equipment and hand tools as needed, including gas-powered hand tools

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with outdoor manual labor, including working with hand tools.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and strong work ethic
• Comfortable working in both forested and roadside environments, sometimes remote, and in hot, dry conditions for long hours.
• Using handheld GPS devices and mapping software and basic field navigation skills
• Possession of a properly registered and insured personal vehicle, and a valid California Driver’s License. Will receive reimbursement for mileage if personal vehicle is used.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in botany, field biology, ecology, other natural resources with coursework or previous fieldwork experience in data collection, plant taxonomy, botany, or forestry
• Basic knowledge of Sierra Nevada plant species, specifically riparian species
• Experience using field data collection software such as Survey123 or FieldMaps
• Experience operating 4WD trucks on both maintained and unimproved roads
• Current certification in First Aid or Wilderness First Aid

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 

Work requires strenuous physical labor in difficult environments and roadsides, many of which are steep and rocky. Invasive plant removal will include repeated bending at the waist and carrying heavy loads over variable distances. Work is always outdoors and regularly in remote areas. Be prepared for extended exposure to sun, hiking in variable terrain, and exposure to bugs, thorns, and poison oak. The applicant must be able to lift objects weighing up to 40 pounds. 

COMPENSATION 

Pay is $21/hr. and includes travel reimbursement for personal vehicle use or transportation in a company vehicle from SYRCL office. Temporary employees are not eligible for health/vision/dental insurance or paid Personal Time Off (PTO). 40 hours of Sick Leave will be provided and may not be used during the first 30 days of employment. Temporary employees working 350 hours or more for the term of their employment are eligible for Holiday pay.

APPLICATION INFORMATION 

Application period closes on April 18th, 2025. 

Finalist candidates will be asked to provide a DMV Driving Record before official hire.

Please submit a cover letter outlining relevant experience and explaining your interest in this position, as well as a current resume electronically at [BAMBOO LINK]. No phone calls, please. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. 

SYRCL is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, marital status, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other protected status.