Forestry Management Team Member Tahoe National Forest

Summary
American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with US Forest Service, is seeking FOUR FORESTRY MANAGEMENT TEAM MEMBERS to contribute to the forestry program alongside Tahoe National Forest Staff. This opportunity is intended for enthusiastic professionals, with a deep interest in advancing their career goals in natural resource management and conservation.

For more information about ACE, please visit: www.usaconservation.org.

Start Date: 05/27/2024
Estimated End Date: 11/15/2024
*dates subject to change based on weather conditions*

Location Details/Description: Yuba River Ranger District (Nevada City, California)
The Tahoe National Forest is located in the northern Sierra Nevada (east of Sacramento) and extends from the foothills across the Sierra crest to the California state line. It includes over 850,000 acres of public land interspersed with 350,000 acres of private land in a checkerboard ownership pattern. Rivers, snow-capped peaks and dense forests offer outstanding recreation year-round. A complex set of ecosystems are found as the terrain ascends from 1,500 feet along the western boundary to over 9,000 feet along the crest. The forest provides a variety of resources and opportunities and is managed by the Forest Service.

For more information about Tahoe National Forest, please visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/tahoe/

Position Overview: The ACE Member will be a part of a small marking crew performing a variety of timber sale preparation (TSP) duties that include—but are not limited to—timber marking, timber cruising, and sale layout of both ground and aerial systems as part of the forest health partnership. Field work often requires moderate to strenuous physical exertion, including walking, bending, and climbing under adverse conditions for long periods of time. Potential risk of falls due to uneven terrain, risk of insect bites, contact with poisonous plants, etc. Duties will be conducted during conditions such as rain, snow, wind, dust, extreme heat and cold. Hardhat, gloves, and other safety equipment are provided.

Project Objectives:

• Either independently or with guidance, applies silvicultural prescriptions and marking guides to designate timber for harvest.
• Brings to the attention of responsible individuals, situations on the ground that are inconsistent with guidelines.
• Either as a certified timber cruiser or under the supervision of a certified timber cruiser, applies the instructions issued in a cruise plan. Takes and records tree measurements, assesses quality, and determines defect. Prepares cruise data for processing.
• Observes and reports areas of possible archeological significance, and sightings of sensitive,
  threatened or endangered wildlife species.
• GPS’s harvest unit boundaries and determines site area.
• Planning, decisions, and judgments made in this position affect long term timber management
  activities, other resources, and the forest health agreement/contract.
• Accuracy of the work affects the quality of residual resource values such as timber stands, visual
  quality, water quality, and all resources related to timber harvest.

This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups.

Schedule: Monday – Thursday, 7:00am-5:30pm. Occasional Fridays, if necessary. Potential to camp during the week for 3/week as needed.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $865.20/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a federal hiring authority upon completion of their term of service. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general information online https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements.

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE. However, housing may be available at a daily bunk rate of approximately $10-20 per day by the Forest. A Housing Allowance of up to $265/week will be available. Local candidates are encouraged to apply.

Gear Allowance: ACE members will have up to $500 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes boots, work pants, hiking socks, and must be approved by ACE staff prior to purchase.

Training Allowance: ACE members will have up to $500 to spend on eligible training. Eligible trainings must be approved by ACE staff prior to purchase.

Provided Training/Orientation: ACE members will receive position specific training and an orientation outlining ACE policies and procedures, clear guidance on prohibited activities, and networks for support.

Qualifications

This opportunity is intended for enthusiastic professionals, with a deep interest in advancing their career goals in natural resource management and conservation. Applicants with a degree (M.S. or B.S) in Forestry or Environmental Science and an interest in a career in public lands management are strongly encouraged to apply, but all are welcome!

ACE Required:

• Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, as required by U.S. government contracts
• Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and
  enthusiastic manner.
• Ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group.
• A valid driver’s license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required two-part criminal history check
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• ACE Members will need to complete bi-weekly timesheets, beginning of term feedback forms, end of term evaluations and for longer terms, a mid-term evaluation.
• Member may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website
  https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements.

USFS Required:

• Working knowledge of forest practices and techniques, including application of silvicultural prescriptions, aerial photographs, maps, environmental analysis reports, and like guides in order to independently select harvest timber in a variety of stand conditions.
• Working knowledge of measuring tree diameters and heights, map reading, compass use, tree species identification, obvious defect recognition and determination, GPSing, and the use of tools associated with timber cruising.
• Knowledge of regularly used timber cruise computer programs including data collection and processing.
• Knowledge of other resource areas, such as wildlife management or archaeology, in order to recognize situations which require specific protection measures.
• Hardhat, boots, gloves, and possibly other safety equipment are required.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing any degree in Natural Resources,
  Forestry, Environmental Science, Biology, etc. And/or have relevant experience in subject areas such
  as Natural Resources, Forestry, Environmental Science, Biology, etc.
• Ability and willingness to learn and implement the skills on a variety of forestry tasks not limited to boundary marking, tree marking, and sale layout.
• Deep interest in the outdoors and working outside.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, hiking, driving, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talking and hearing. Manual dexterity required for use of various tools, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop,
  kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Ability to hike over rough terrain, and camp overnight under field
  conditions.
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 10-20 lbs., ability to move up to 50 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates. If indoors, office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled.
• Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise such as gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and
  power tools. Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
• Travel: This position may require domestic travel. This position does not require unique travel.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland conditions, biting insects, and potentially dangerous wildlife. The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/members or resources. Hazards include beetle killed and/or fire killed trees.

Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety: If a vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties, one will be provided by the Tahoe National Forest or ACE. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the Tahoe National Forest. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the Tahoe National Forest, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to USFS and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required.