Forestry Technician (Environmental Technician III)

Forestry Program
Forestry Technician (Environmental Technician III)  
Salary Range: $22.72 – $31.81 per hour
Term: May – October 
To view the job on our website – https://www.tahoercd.org/forestry-program-jobs. 

Background
Located in beautiful Lake Tahoe, Tahoe Resource Conservation District (District, Tahoe RCD) seeks to hire a Seasonal Forestry Technician. Tahoe RCD is a leader in local conservation, and our staff works with a diversity of stakeholders, including land managers, government agencies, fire protection districts, tribal entities, educational institutions, landowners, and others, to protect, restore, and enhance the natural resources of the Lake Tahoe Basin. Join our team of forest and natural resource professionals and build your career in forest management!

Position Overview
The Forestry Technician works under the supervision of the Forestry Program Specialist, a Registered Professional Forester (RPF), and/or the Executive Director (RPF). The position assists in forestry tasks such as tree marking, flagging, timber cruising, forest inventory, GIS, exotic plant control, vegetation monitoring, and wildlife monitoring. This position works full-time (40 hours/week), but only on a seasonal basis, approximately May – October depending on project need and funding (Not to exceed 1000 hours).

The Forestry Technician will assist an RPF on projects focused on wildfire resiliency and forest health in the Lake Tahoe Basin. Projects include Community Wildfire Protection Plan project implementation, forest health, post-fire restoration and reforestation, hazard tree evaluation, and education and outreach. The Forestry Technician reports to the Forestry Program Specialist and will work closely with a broad array of partner organizations including government agencies, and public and private landowners. The ideal candidate will have a working knowledge of forestry, forest inventory methods, and environmental permitting/regulation.

Work is performed in the Tahoe RCD office and the field, which can periodically involve long hours. The position is considered ‘at will’ and is seasonal, full-time, and non-exempt.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Forest inventory and cruising, possibly including forest carbon inventories.
• Independently marks trees using and adapting complex marking rules in areas complicated by variations in type, species composition, defect, site, age, class, etc., flagging operational boundaries, Watercourse and Lake Protection Zones and Stream Environment Zones, and other protection/retention zones.
• Use of a smartphone or tablet to record inventory and spatial data in ESRI Field Maps and other applications.
  Interprets complex silvicultural prescriptions and marking guides to designate harvest timber.
• Provides field instruction to interns in fundamental timber measuring practices, cruise methods, and techniques.
• Works with temporary (6-weeks) forestry interns from Lake Tahoe Community College to achieve program and project goals.
• Assembles and summarizes data and prepares reports and maps regarding areas cruised.
• Other duties assigned by the Forestry Program Specialist and/or assist staff RPFs and other professionals with other project work as needed.
• Strictly follows Tahoe RCD safety and equipment use policies.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Enrolled in a forestry or closely related degree program, or commensurate work experience.
• Knowledge of the use of basic forestry tools and timber inventory methods
• Ability to identify Northern California tree species.
• Valid California driver’s license and clean driving record
• Ability to work safely, efficiently, and respectfully with others and alone in steep, rugged terrain under adverse weather conditions.
• Ability to navigate terrain with GPS or map and compass.

Desired Qualifications:

• Working knowledge of California Forest Practice Rules and Tahoe area regulations (TRPA, Lahontan Timber Waiver).
• Bachelor or Associate Degree in Forestry or other closely related field.
• Knowledge of silvicultural prescriptions and forest management regimes.
• Experience preparing timber sales, including flagging Watercourse and Lake Protection Zones, Equipment Limitation Zones, unit boundaries, etc.
• Experience conducting timber or other natural resource inventories.

Knowledge and Skills

• Knowledge of forestry, vegetation management, watershed management and conservation, resource management, and native plants
• Strong technical, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to work with a variety of people with diverse interests and backgrounds.
• Apply self-motivation, initiative, excellent organizational skills, exercises situational discernment, and maintains a positive attitude.
• Highly organized and motivated self-starter
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and follow through to completion.
• Creative, flexible, and enjoy working in a team environment.
• Working knowledge of computer programs required for data collection, cruise processing, and Global Positioning Systems (GPS); experience in the fundamentals of timber cruising including tree measurements, map reading and compass use, species identification, and use of timber cruising tools and instruments; use of sampling systems such as 3P, fixed area, point, and sample tree to determine statistically sound cruise samples.

Working Conditions
Tahoe RCD offers a hybrid work format; work may be performed partially from home when appropriate. Hybrid work schedules must be approved by the Executive Director and employees must attest that their home workplace is compliant with Tahoe RCD workers’ compensation requirements. However, this position is field oriented, and hybrid work opportunities will be few. Work is performed at a desk (65%) and in the field (35%) (though this will depend on the time of year as the summer field season will have more field time). The office environment has natural and artificial lighting. This Position may require flexible work hours when needed (occasional evenings and weekends). Incumbent may be required to use personal vehicle for work duties. The District will reimburse mileage at the federal rate.

Physical Requirements
The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. This work may include climbing steep terrain, moving in and out of streams, lifting, carrying supplies and equipment, etc. during all seasons. Must frequently lift or move up to 40 pounds. The noise level in the work environment can range from very quiet to very noisy. The ability to sit, use a keyboard, stand, use hands and feet, talk, walk, stoop, and reach are required very often in this position.

Valid California or Nevada Class “C” driver’s license preferred. A DMV printout may be required prior to employment. Must comply with Federal, State, and local regulations and practices related to Equal Opportunity, sexual harassment, and a drug-free workplace.

Compensation
Financial compensation will be commensurate with applicable experience, ranging from $22.72 – $31.81 per hour.

Benefits
Paid sick leave accrued at a rate of 3.08 hours for every 80 regular hours worked. Benefits include State of California sick pay, Worker’s Compensation Insurance for California, State Unemployment Insurance, California State Disability Insurance, and Social Security. If you are currently enrolled in the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS), membership will be continued.

TAHOE RCD IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY TO ALL REGARDLESS OF RACE, COLOR, CREED, NATIONAL ORIGIN, ANCESTRY, SEX, MARITAL STATUS, DISABILITY, RELIGIOUS OR POLITICAL AFFILIATION, AGE OR SEXUAL ORIENTATION. IT IS THE OBJECTIVE OF THE TAHOE RCD TO ACHIEVE A DRUG FREE WORKPLACE. ANY APPLICANT WILL BE EXPECTED TO BEHAVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS OBJECTIVE BECAUSE THE USE OF ILLEGAL DRUGS IS INCONSISTENT WITH THE LAW OF THE STATE, CIVIL SERVICE RULES, AND A SPECIAL TRUST PLACED IN PUBLIC SERVANTS.