Description: The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU), is recruiting up to seven (7) AmeriCorps members to serve as part of LTBMUs Vegetation Management Program Timber Sale Prep Crew or Timber Stand Improvement Crew. Crew Members will perform regular and recurring procedural and technical tasks such as preparing maps and providing data for contract preparation, performing standardized timber cruising, and assisting in stand exam data collection work. Data are gathered from a variety of sources such as instrument readings (e.g.: Relaskop, diameter tape, compass, prism, clinometers, personal data recorders, and GPS data collecting devices), direct measurements (e.g.: limiting distances, tree diameter, tree height, species identification, timber stand typing, estimations of defect and quality, and determining ground fuel loading), field tests, observations, and on-site inspections during the field season. As well, crew members will select and mark individual trees for harvest using well defined marking guidelines and silvicultural prescriptions, inspection of fuels reduction and tree planting contracts, as well as well as identify stream zones. Training provided on tree species identification, GPS data collection, tree marking, and other project-specific tasks. Typical work schedule is Monday Thursday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Timeline: May 10, 2010 to November 11, 2010 Compensation: Living Allowance = $10,600 - $12,190 AmeriCorps Education Award* = $2,362.50 student loan deferment and paid interest accrual* Housing options available Location: The Timber Sales Crew will be based out of the USFS worksite at Meyers, CA, approximately 10 minutes from South Lake Tahoe. Project work will take place throughout the Lake Tahoe Basin. The duty station for the Timber Stand Improvement Crew will be Incline Village, NV. * AmeriCorps Education Award may be used for past, present or future education experiences, including payment of qualifying federal student loans. Qualifications: o College degree or coursework in a natural resource program including dendrology, forest ecology, forest management or related field; o Experience conducting forestry field work (e.g.: stand exams, timber cruising, boundary marking, etc.); o Knowledge of general forestry measurement techniques (e.g.: DBH, species identification) and tools (e.g.: clinometers, compass, GPS units); o Experience and ability to work around and/or operate power equipment, including chain saws, desirable; o Prior experience cutting/felling trees, desirable; o Knowledge of western forestry, including management principles, ecosystems and tree species; o Ability to complete moderate physical project work; o Clean, driving record and valid state-issued drivers license. Applicant should be comfortable driving in heavy traffic, on narrow mountain roads on- and off-road; o Ability to work productively as part of a team to accomplish mutual goals and communicate effectively; o Ability to work in harsh and rapidly changing environments, work in all types of weather conditions, traverse uneven terrain, and otherwise maintain good physical condition; and o Meet AmeriCorps eligibility requirements: (1) U.S. citizenship or legal resident alien status, and (2) eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award (limit of two in a lifetime, regardless of award amount). For a complete position description please visit our website at www.TheGreatBasinInstitute.org. How to Apply: Qualified and interested applicants should forward a cover letter, their résumé, and a list of three professional references to Bridget Walden, at [email protected] include where you found this position posted. This program is available to all, without regard to race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or religion. Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
