Natural Resources Job Board

The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with the United States Forest Service (USFS) at the Shasta-Trinity National Forest is recruiting to hire one Forestry Technician. These projects all serve the Basin & Range Forestry program’s greater mission of helping the USFS in their critical goal of improving forest resilience in the face of worsening climate conditions and increased wildfire threats. The work that you will do directly improves the quality of these forests helping ensure they continue to thrive for generations to come

This position is supported through the Forest Service Resource Assistants Program (RAP) and the successful candidate will be eligible for a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) certificate. With a DHA certificate, the RA can be directly appointed to a permanent position with the USFS. The RAP program emphasizes the engagement of current students, recent graduates, and underrepresented populations in natural and cultural resources work. Our collaborative mission with the RAP is to develop a diverse and inclusive workforce, accomplish mission-critical goals, and support career exploration, coaching, and mentoring. For more information about this program, please visit the USFS’s RAP website.


This position is established to perform a variety of routine and frequently complex tasks involving techniques and practices relating to natural resources management programs, (i.e., timber/silviculture, recreation, wildlife, fisheries, watershed, range and vegetation management). Accomplishment of the following assignments supports field projects and program planning activities for the unit. 

Timber: Prepares, develops, and executes timber cruises and sample surveys for resource information and estimate quality and quantity of timber for purpose of appraisal, sales administration, management planning, and logging plans. Assembles and summarizes data and prepares reports and maps regarding areas cruised.
Lays outs sales in accordance with EAR and other instructions, considering variables such as accessibility, steep slopes, stream protection, nesting tree protection, wildlife impacts, fuels management and regeneration requirements. Brings to attention of responsible individual situations where specific prescriptions do not fit ground conditions.
Independently marks trees using and adapting complex marking rules in areas complicated by variations in type, species composition, defect, site, age, class, etc.

Silviculture: Lays out the boundary of areas designated for planting, site preparation, and timber stand improvement contracts.  Personally performs work or inspects work performed under site preparation, planting, and timber stand improvement contracts following established procedures and which involve standard requirements.  Checks planted areas for seedling survival rate and stocking and records information.  Calls non-compliance to attention of supervisor.

Perform other duties as assigned.

The work is performed in a forest environment where the terrain may be steep, uneven, rocky, and covered with thick and tangled vegetation. Temperatures may range from very hot and dry to cool and extremely wet. Rain, snow, wind, or dust may be encountered. May be exposed to irritant-chemicals. Work requires the use of safety equipment such as boots, gloves, goggles, and hardhats.


Contract Timeline:
This contract is for 12 months and will start July 2024.

Location:
Location: Redding, CA. Work will be done on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest.

Redding, CA is nestled in the heart of the northern central valley of California. Flanked by some of the most breathtaking scenery and wilderness the United States has to offer, RAP candidates will get the chance to live and work in a location few can dream of.

Hours from natural wonders like Lake Tahoe and urban playgrounds such as San Francisco, Redding offers small town living with proximity to some of the best the West has to offer.

Compensation and Benefits:
• Wage: $620/week, 40 hrs a week.
• Housing Stipend of $1,000/month (If not living in FS housing)
• Barracks available at subsidized cost (first come first serve basis; availability not guaranteed)
• Health insurance coverage at no extra cost (premiums paid for by GBI)
• Paid federal holidays, per agency schedule
• Paid time-off
• Funding for professional development (project dependent & up to $3,000)
• Training: Defensive Driver's Training (provides eligibility for personal vehicle insurance discounts), and technical skills trainings such as report writing and field skills/safety training
• Networking: Opportunities to interact with USFS, access to GBI network and resources
• Eligibility to ProDeals, such as Outdoor Prolink

Job Qualifications:
Bachelor's DegreeExperience with standard forestry practices Experience in layout including flagging, gps, electronic data managementKnowledge of species identificationAbility to work extensively in the field as a member of a team and less often independentlyMust have or be able to obtain a driver's licenseMust be a U.S citizen or permanent legal permanent resident


The Resource Assistants Program (RAP) is a rigorous and immersive, paid internship for individuals who are interested in conservation, natural and cultural resources, environmental management, research and development, or other career opportunities with land management agencies. The program emphasizes the engagement of current students, recent graduates, and underrepresented populations in natural and cultural resources work

• Eligibility for the RAP Direct Hire and Noncompetitive Hiring Eligibility authorities for 2 years after successful completion of the program