Forestry Crew lead

About the Watershed Research and Training Center

The Watershed Research and Training Center (WRTC) sustains healthy lands and healthy communities. What started in the early 1990’s as a local project to re-train displaced loggers and mill workers in Trinity County, CA is now a vibrant nonprofit organization working locally, statewide and nationally on a host of landscape conservation and community development issues. In addition to putting dozens of our community members back to work in the woods each year, we lead several forest and watershed conservation programs, coordinate state biomass and fire management partnerships, and have played an influential role in state and federal policy-making and program direction.

Job Summary

Forestry crew leads will be responsible for helping to facilitate crew member growth, manage conflict on their crew, and support the crew in completing quality project work in the field. The lead is also responsible for tracking data and completed tasks, making decisions in the field, and the overall safety of the crew. Field work includes: data collection and data management, stocking surveys and stand assessments, timber cruising and marking, unit layout (GPS, flagging, painting), and assisting in additional forestry applications as needed.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to hike and navigate difficult terrain in inclement, hot, or smoky weather; use electronic devices such as computers, tablets, phones, GPS, or data collectors; and will occasionally need to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

Job Duties and Core Responsibilities

• Excellent communication, organizational, and leadership skills
• Communicate regularly and effectively with Program Manager
• Interact positively and professionally with landowners, locals, and agency employees
• Ensuring crew provides quality work; Lead works directly with crew
• Ability to make decisions and promote a safe and efficient work environment
• Use of handheld GPS devices/programs (e.g. Trimbles, Garmins, Allegros, Two Trails, Field Maps, Avenza)
• Use of forestry tools (e.g. Spiegel relaskop, Laser rangefinder, compass, logger’s tape, clinometer)
• Collecting accurate and thorough data for timber sales and silviculture projects
• Assisting in implementing layout for timber sales and silviculture projects

Salary: $24-$25 per hour dependent on experience/education

Application Deadline: Open until positions are filled. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Locations:

• Hayfork, CA

Qualifications, Skills and Competencies: 

• Forestry experience and/or education preferred
• Experience in a leadership position
• Valid driver’s license and ability to drive 4WD vehicles
• Must be able to navigate steep, rugged terrain

Additional Information:

This is a seasonal position for the 2025 field season. However, this position may last longer as additional work opportunities arise. Weekly schedule is four 10-hour days (Mon-Thurs).

Housing may be provided in some situations, willingness to camp is required. Will assist in accommodations for the field season. Per diem is available when camping outside of Hayfork, CA (home office).