Fuels Reduction Crew Lead

POSITION – Fuels Reduction Crew Lead

PRIMARY ROLES – Supervise and manage field crews in day-to-day conservation-based project work including fuels reduction, forest health, ecosystem restoration, environmental compliance, and watershed improvement projects.

TYPE – Seasonal Full-Time

LOCATION – Quincy, CA

INTRODUCTION

This opportunity is for a seasonal Fuels Reduction Crew Lead position with the Feather River Resource Conservation District (FRRCD), overseeing work on various restoration projects in the Plumas National Forest. A large part of the job involves hazardous fuels reduction work with chainsaws, working on private land throughout Plumas County as well as public lands on the Plumas National Forest and CA State Parks. Main projects will complete forest health restoration and fire mitigation activities in areas where high severity fire has occurred, or within dense forests that need to be managed to prevent high severity fire in the future. Other duties may include post-fire reforestation success monitoring, wildlife surveys, site prep mapping, and various other projects that support the FRRCD’s mission.

Technical duties include manual labor by removal of trees with use of chainsaws and swamping/piling trees and brush. The season will run from approximately late April to November 2026. Start and end dates may change due to snowpack and weather conditions. Compensation is $26-$28/hour DOE, at ~40 hours a week, on a 4/10’s schedule.

MAJOR DUTIES

• Leading and organizing field crew in daily activities, including providing direction for work in the morning and end of day tasks.
• Ensure crewmembers are operating in a safe and efficient manner while maintaining situational awareness on site.
• Forest thinning and fire mitigation: operate chainsaws and fall trees up to 24in diameter.
• Swamping behind chainsaw operator, piling woody biomass into piles.
• Fuels reduction and wildfire recovery, creating defensible space, and prepping units for prescribed fire.
• Overseeing the maintenance of chainsaws including cleaning saws, sharpening chains and maintenance needs as they arise.
• Acting as a first responder in the event of emergency medical situations.
• Ensuring project specifications are followed according to project prescription.
• Maintain efficient working pace while
• Potentially conduct wildlife surveys as a part of NEPA and CEQA compliance prior to fuels reduction projects
• Work on wetland and riparian mitigation projects performing duties related to riparian enhancement and invasive weed control. Duties include planting, plant protection, irrigation operation and maintenance, assisting with botanical surveys, hand pulling invasive weeds, and biological surveys and monitoring
• Establish boundaries and exclusions for project areas using flagging, tablets, and GPS devices
• Site prep for and occasional projects involving prescribed fires and pile burns
• Other duties and projects as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Qualifications: The successful applicant for the position must possess the following minimum qualifications:

• High School diploma or GED.
• A valid driver’s license and a safe driving record. (4-wheel drive experience preferred).
• USFS A – faller certification or equivalent experience. (At least two seasons of working with chainsaws in a felling capacity, and confidence with performing basic maintenance practices).
• Physical capability and endurance to conduct fieldwork in remote settings under strenuous conditions, including the ability to carry up to 50 lbs. over rough terrain and hike for an extended length of time in extreme heat.
• Ability to take direction from the Field Operations Manager (FOM) as well as independently assess and prioritize project work and direct crew members effectively through daily task assignments.
• Familiarity with Avenza mapping software, handheld radios,
• Ability and willingness to direct and work with a team, effectively communicate instructions, and follow detailed field protocols.
• Ability and willingness to work in inclement weather, and occasionally work on holidays and weekends.
• Ability to adhere to workplace safety.
• Ability to maintain a positive attitude and motivate crew members when work gets tough

Desired Qualifications: Ideally, the successful applicant will possess the following skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in forestry, natural resource sciences, biology, or related field preferred. Related work experience may substitute for education qualification.
• Knowledge of, and work experience with, natural resource management, particularly forestry, prescribed fire, silviculture, and resource conservation.
• Experience hiking in the Sierra Nevada or areas of similar elevation and climate.
• Experience and aptitude operating handheld electronic equipment such as smart phones, digital cameras, GPS units, radios, tablets, etc.
• Sufficient experience with computer applications to input and manage data, including MS Office, G Suite, and Adobe programs.
• Experience working a labor-intensive job (preferably: trails, forestry or conservation but not limited to).
• B-faller certification, or equivalent experience.
• Knowledge of the local ecology: tree species, flora, and fauna.
• Ability to be well organized and handle occasionally challenging field logistics.
• Experience and/or training with prescribed fire and underburn techniques.
• First Aid training (Wilderness First Aid or Wilderness First Responder certification: preferred but not required).
• Red Card certified: experience in fire management.

This position requires long hours working in mountainous terrain and inclement weather, confidence using a chainsaw in this terrain is a must. Enthusiasm to assist in forestry management is a must.

Opportunities to implement prescribed fire is possible. If participating in prescribed burn activities: Technicians must provide their own fire boots meeting these criteria: 8-inch high Vibram sole leather boots. This gear is not a requirement for the position, but it is a requirement for this potential job duty.

COMPENSATION

Financial compensation will be commensurate with applicable experience, ranging from $26-28 an hour depending on experience. Benefits include paid sick time, a cell phone stipend, and vacation time accrual after six months of employment, as well as a flexible work schedule in a fast-paced, positive work environment.