Forestry and Woodland Management Technician (Technologists & Technicians)

Seasonal

  The Great Basin Institute

  Redding, California, United States

Working collaboratively with the BLM in Redding, CA, the Great Basin Institute is recruiting one (1) technician to assist the BLM forester(s) and/or forest ecologist with a wide variety of field and office tasks that will prepare the AmeriCorps member for success with future academic endeavors and/or a career in forestry. The member will aid BLM Forestry program staff with timber sale layout and preparation, timber cruising and appraising, sales administration, survey and monitoring activities, and the preparation of vegetative permits. Additionally, the member will support National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance, with particular focus on assisting to prepare sections of report documents and working with the BLM’s geographical information system (GIS). 
    
   More specifically, monitoring and inventory activities will encompass both project design and on-the-ground implementation. Additional implementation activities, such as marking forest timber sale boundaries and reserve trees within units will be a component of this position. The member will also assist with compiling and interpreting collected data utilizing GIS and other software programs, as well as researching reference materials. All activities will eventually serve to better inform the development of maps and reports related to NEPA compliance, forestry project design, and other BLM actions. This position will require physical exertion, including operating common hand tools (e.g.pulaskis, axes, or shovels). This is an eleven-month position, so the member must be prepared to serve in a variety of weather conditions and recognize that they will be confronted by environmental hazards, such as rainstorms, poison oak, insects, cattle and other livestock, and other potential hazards commensurate with land management activities.

Qualifications:

   • Bachelor’s degree in Forestry, Forestry Management, Natural Resources Management or related field, or combination of related education and field experience; 
   • Dedication to the position with a displayed interest in and knowledge of forestry and woodland resource management, plant conservation, and National Service; 
   • Understanding of and ability to use Microsoft Office suite of programs; 
   • Prior experience and skills utilizing (or willingness to learn how to use) GIS and GPS technologies (such as Garmins, Trimbles, or tablets) to collect and manage data; 
   • Possess strong written and oral communication skills and high degree of comfort interacting with various stakeholders, including agency representatives, GBI and BLM colleagues, and the general public; 
   • Motivated, self-starter who is detail oriented and organized; 
   • Possess a clean, valid, state-issued driver’s license with a willingness and ability to safely operate a 4x4 vehicle on and off paved roads, including narrow, steep, forest roads; 
   • Ability to complete physical labor in the front- and backcountry with a high level of proficiency, as well as comfort working independently outdoors in remote field settings and traveling in rough terrain by foot sometimes independently; and 
   • Meet AmeriCorps eligibility requirements: (1) U.S. citizenship or legal resident alien status, (2) eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award (limit of four in a lifetime or the equivalent of two full-time education awards), (3) pass National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW) and federal criminal background checks, (4) adhere to the rules, regulations and code of conduct as specified in the Member Service Agreement; and (5) not engage in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement. 

Miscellaneous:

   Location: 
   The BLM Redding Field Office is located in the BLM Northern CA District and is home to an abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities including fishing, mountain biking, hiking/backpacking, and skiing/snowboarding, etc. Redding is located between Shasta-Trinity and Lassen National Forests and on the I-5 corridor, making points in Oregon and central/southern California easily accessible. Redding is a town of approximately 90,000 people and is the major service center for the surrounding areas. The town has restaurants and stores to meet most needs. 

Salary:
$27,008.80

Benefits:

   This is an AmeriCorps position, and the successful candidate will receive a living stipend of $27,008.80 for the 11-month season. This is not an hourly wage or a salary and is paid to members every other week throughout the service term. Upon successful completion of the AmeriCorps term of service, members shall receive an education award in the amount of $5,920 that can be used for paying off qualified student loans or paying tuition for a Title IV accredited college. The member will also be provided with no cost Affordable Care Act compliant health benefits (medical, dental, vision).