TITLE: USDA FOREST SERVICE FORESTRY TECHNICIAN INDIVIDUAL PLACEMENT

START/END DATE:  JUNE 24TH, 2019 - MAY 1ST, 2020

STIPEND:  $540/week  (+Education Award) 

TERM:  45  weeks 

REPORTS TO:  USDA Forest Service - Pagosa and Columbine Ranger Districts

LOCATION:  Pagosa Springs, CO 81147

STATUS:  1700-hour  AmeriCorps  Service  Term 

BENEFITS:  AmeriCorps  Education  Award  $5,920.00  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 DESCRIPTION: 

Join the Southwest Conservation Corps’ intern team and help the USDA Forest Service carry out it's mission to "sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations"!

The timber and silviculture program of the Pagosa and Columbine Ranger Districts (locally known as the Headwaters Zone) on the San Juan National Forest has the goal of managing forest vegetation in the southern San Juan Mountains from the crest of the La Plata Mountains to Wolf Creek Pass. The program analyzes vegetation conditions, prepares vegetation management contracts and timber sales, and contributes to reforestation activities as necessary to accomplish the mission of the Forest Service locally.

The successful individual placement will help develop and implement vegetation management activities utilizing the best available science, agency direction, and local community input. Efforts will contribute to local economic development in the forest products and forest management sectors and agency and community efforts to increase the health and sustainability of forests in the Southern San Juan Mountains. The individual placement will contribute to projects aimed at accomplishing a range of forest management objectives ranging from reducing the potential for severe wildfire effects and insect infestations, managing for wildlife habitat, and salvaging dead trees for forest product values. They will work to directly benefit forest conditions across hundreds to thousands of acres for the benefit of current and future generations.

The individual placement will be involved with several projects that will manage, harvest, or thin up to approximately 1,500-2,500 acres of forest. These projects will reduce potential for severe wildfires, improve forest health conditions, and recover the forest product value of bark beetle-killed trees. The individual placement will also assist in preparation of a 100-200 acre reforestation (i.e. planting) contract. Essential functions and responsibilities include:

Perform contract preparation work including forestry measurements, data collection, and GPS surveying and mapping

Mark trees for harvest using well defined rules, guides, and supervisor instructions

Work as part of an established crew of seasonal employees in back-country forest conditions including adverse terrain and weather

Serve as the leader of a crew consisting of three or more seasonal employees on an as-needed basis

Maintain tabular and spatial data integrity during field collection operations; enter data into a computer using several different software applications; process and analyze data and produce outputs ranging from tables to reports

Training in the following will be provided:

• Mentorship and training in forestry measurements, timber cruising techniques, data collection procedures, and GPS surveying and mapping techniques
• On the job training and education covering a wide range of skills including wildlife, plant and tree identification, timber marking procedures, forest ecology science, US Forest Service process and procedures, job hazard analysis and risk management, and Leave No Trace principles
• Basic First-Aid and CPR certifications, Government 4x4 vehicle operation certification

GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS:  

Approximately 4 seasons (12 months) of experience in some combination of: forestry, engineering, resource conservation or land management, farming, ranch management or fire control, suppression or prevention, or similar work AND expected completion of an undergraduate degree in a discipline description below within two years.

OR

Successful completion of 2 years of study (at least 12 semester hours) in courses such as forestry, agriculture, crop or plant science, range management or conservation, wildlife management, watershed management, soil science, natural resources, outdoor recreation management, civil or forest engineering, or wildland fire science, with expected completion of an undergraduate degree in one of these disciplines within two years.

The  successful  applicant  must  be  self-motivated and able to work independently with limited supervision after the initial training period. The applicant must be able to maneuver and operate in a mixture of office and field work. This can include long periods of standing or walking on rough, uneven ground, bending, crouching, and stooping.  Applicant must have a valid driver’s license and a good driving record. Prior to starting this position a government security background clearance will be required. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:  

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree in forestry or a natural resource field or in a related subject matter field such as biology, geography, or natural resources.
• Demonstrated interest, enthusiasm, training and/or educational preparation for a career in forestry or a natural resource profession in the western US.
• Experience in backcountry or wildland recreation, experiential education, travel and/or navigation.
• Experience working or learning with individuals with a wide range of perspective and backgrounds.

REQUIREMENTS: 

College Graduate Preferred

Social Security Card

Birth Certificate or Passport

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

Driver's License

Housing may be available for this position.

APPLY NOW! 

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

POSITION CLOSES MAY 5, 2019.

Contact Clara at cmoulton@conservationlegacy.org with any questions.

Required Skills Required Experience