Payette Seasonal Forestry Technician

National Forest Foundation (NFF) is pleased to offer a temporary, non-exempt, full-time position, up to 40 hours per week, from May 18, 2026 to October 16, 2026 as a technician for integrated vegetation management focusing on fuels management on the Payette National Forest in Central Idaho.

About the NFF: As the official national partner to the US Forest Service (USFS), the National Forest Foundation was chartered by Congress in 1993. Today, the NFF advances forest resiliency, healthy watersheds and wildlife habitat, and recreation for all by working with communities and organizations across the country. The Foundation has grown significantly in the last few years in programmatic impact, revenue and support, and organizational capacity. NFF leads with impact, deploying roughly 90% of its expenses towards projects and programs across the country’s 193-million-acre National Forest System. NFF is forward-thinking and innovative, with ambitious strategies and goals to advance and prepare forests for a new economy. 

Position Function: Under direction of the NFF Intermountain Region Program Manager, the Forestry Technician shall conduct pre-and post-treatment surveys/monitoring on non-commercial, commercial, and prescribed fire project areas. Non-commercial thinning stand layout, ground truthing lidar data, non-commercial stand diagnosis, and vegetation survey implementation will all be key duties of this position.

The Payette Forestry Technician is also expected to work closely with Forest Service staff as an integrated team member to provide support and technical assistance for vegetation management projects and a variety of other activities.

Position Duties and Responsibilities: Payette National Forest Forestry Technician will:

• Support NFF SIL Staff to coordinate and manage forest-related restoration efforts, to include monitoring of on-the-ground project implementation on behalf of NFF.
• Conduct routine data collection, monitoring prescriptive and contractual specifications for the felling of trees, collection of dead and down fuels, and ecosystem restoration.
• Implement survey protocols as they are assigned by Fuels Managers and Silviculturists with the USFS and/or cooperators.
• Plot data will be entered on field data forms and/or online databases. Written data will be entered into an Excel spreadsheet and emailed to NFF Representative along with a general project status update. Original hard copy data forms shall be compiled and submitted on a weekly basis, as possible.
• Coordinate daily operations in advance to ensure preparation or implementation operations allow for safety as a priority.
• Compile and analyze forest stand and fuels data as needed to provide effective project and contract monitoring QA/QC.
• Report on project statistics and progress, outcomes, and deliverables of forest restoration projects.
• Assist with Common Stand Exam surveys and the Wood for Life program as needed.
• Adhere to and monitor project safety protocol.

 

education and Qualifications: NFF expects the Payette National Forest Forestry Technician to possess the following educational and experiential qualifications:

• Knowledge of Idaho’s ecosystems, trees, and plant species, basic knowledge of timber and fuels management, or general understanding of wildland fire behavior, wildfire mitigation approaches, and post-fire impacts.
• Working knowledge of forest measurement techniques and tools (diameter tape, prism, clinometer etc.), fuel load estimation and basic timber inventory and cruising
• experience working around logging equipment and other heavy machinery.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and clean driving record.
• You must be Authorized to work in the United States.

Abilities and Skills: NFF expects the Payette National Forest Forestry Technician to possess the following proven abilities and skills:

• Ability to safely hike and navigate alone in remote, steep mountainous areas using a map, compass, GPS and other digital mapping applications.
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds and work in steep, rocky and brushy terrain for long periods of time.
• Must be able to work safely in environmental conditions that may range from extreme heat to cold with rain or snow possible.
• Working knowledge of GPS, ArcGIS, Survey123, or Field Maps
• Ability to interpret project specifications and adhere to written inspection and data collection protocols.
• Ability to work independently, perform fieldwork, communicate with partners, and work on projects with minimal oversight.

Location: McCall/Council/New Meadows ID area (Mandatory). Work will occur on multiple project areas within the Payette National Forest. While rare, travel to other forests may occasionally be necessary to aid other NFF efforts and may include the Boise or Sawtooth National Forests.

Housing: Forest Service seasonal housing will be available upon request in New Meadows, ID for the Technician. 

Compensation: Payette National Forest Forestry Technician will be paid $22.91/hour.

The National Forest Foundation is an equal opportunity employer – meaning we provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable law. Further, we prohibit discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, promotion, compensation, benefits, training, and termination. We strive to foster a work environment where every individual is respected, valued, and treated fairly. This statement reflects our unwavering dedication to fairness, respect, and equality in employment practices and sets the foundation for a positive work environment.