Title: USFS Forestry Technician

Start/End Date: June 5, 2023 – August 25, 2023

Stipend: $650/per week

Term: 13 weeks

Reports To: US Forest Service Pagosa Ranger District

Location: Pagosa Springs, CO

Status: 450 - hour AmeriCorps service term

Benefits: AmeriCorps Education Award of $1,718.25 after successful completion

Southwest Conservation Corps’ Mission

It is the mission of the Southwest Conservation Corps to empower individuals to positively impact their lives, their communities, and the environment.

Program Overview:

The Pagosa Timber program seeks to provide forest products to a diverse set of industry and forest users, while protecting resources. The Timber program works closely with internal specialists and external collaborators to develop forest stand treatments aimed at creating the desired landscape conditions.

The Pagosa Ranger District is the location of two Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration projects that posses funding to conduct vegetation management across large landscapes to influence fuels reductions and promote forest health, while also protecting watersheds and wildlife habitat. The individual will be exposed to the diverse opportunities that come with the endeavor of public land management.

Essential roles and responsibilities include :

Timber Marking and Designation

• Work with crew lead to interpret and carry out an often-complex silvicultural prescription to promote a stand towards a desired future condition after treatment
• Identify and protect ground resources, for example, located and buffer stream courses, Goshawk nests, springs
• Learn to identify tree species and tree condition as related to insects and disease

Cruising of Timber

• Gain knowledge and understating od tree measurement equipment
• Navigate using GPD and maps
• Take accurate and precise vegetation measurements to meet regional standards

Provide support and gain experience in other resource areas

• Perform other work as assigned, in other areas of resource management such as wildlife recreation, resource planning and fire management

Desired Skills/Qualifications:

• Currently enrolled or recent graduate in Environmental Studies or a related field
• Motivated individual
• Comfortable working in rugged conditions and terrain, at potentially high elevations, with overnight camping

Housing Provided: Yes

Potential Environmental/Human Risk:

• Carrying heavy packs over uneven terrain
• Timber marking requires repetitive motions, and work can often occur on a 10hr per day schedule including travel
• Off trail navigation
• May required overnight camping and work at high elevations

Requirements:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Driver’s license
• Per grant funding guidelines applicants must be 18-30 years of age, up to 35 if a veteran

U.S. Citizenship

• Permanent Resident Card, INS form I-551
• Alien Registration Card, INS form I-551
• A passport indicating that the INS has approved it as temporary evidence of lawful admission for permanent residence
• A departure record (INS 194) indication that the INS has approved it as temporary evidence of lawful admission for permanent residence

Apply Now!

To apply, please submit an updated resume and letter of interest along with the online application.

Contact Niki Antonio with any questions. Nantonio@conservationlegacy.org

This program is available to all, without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, political affiliation, marital or parental status, genetic information, and military service. Where a significant portion of the population eligible to be served needs services or information in a language other than English, the recipient shall take reasonable steps to provide written material of the type ordinarily available to the public in appropriate languages.

Required Skills

Required Experience

• Typing skills are required. Computer proficiency with MS Office (Excel, Outlook and Word) and the internet are required. Ideal candidate will be highly detail-oriented, possess a positive attitude, and have excellent communication skills.
• Must be willing to work in a challenging, fast-paced environment.
• Must be flexible to work a different shift when necessary.