Timber Sale Administrator – Stanislaus National Forest, Summit Ranger District

Summit Ranger District; Pinecrest, CA

USFS, California,

The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with the US Forest Service Stanislaus National Forest, is recruiting a Timber Sale Administrator to work cooperatively with USFS and GBI staff to administer timber sales and service contracts. This work provides professional development opportunities in standard forest management practices while supporting USFS initiatives for healthy and productive forest landscapes and resources.

A Temporary Special Assignment (TSA) employee is one who is hired for a specific temporary assignment external from the institute’s administrative operations with one of GBI’s partners for 52 weeks or greater or less than 52 weeks and will work full-time (40 hours per week).

Essential Job Functions may include the following:

• Monitoring and inspecting timber sale and service contract operations having conventional contract requirements and conditions.
• Interpreting and explaining standard timber sale contract provisions, and the rationale behind technical methods to be employed to the timber operator. Informing supervisor of problems that may affect other forest resources .
• Developing a schedule and other plans for inspecting sale areas for compliance with contract clauses governing location and construction of non-system roads, fire prevention, personal safety precautions, cutting, and fuel reduction provisions. Obtaining compliance or reporting noncompliance to supervisor.
• Preparing written reports of all sale inspections and following up on deficiencies. Performing final inspections and recommending acceptance of the unit or contract for closure.
• May include responsibilities for Timber Sales Preparation, including:
  • Reviewing the timber sales contract package.
  • Determining plans and arranging for the resources needed to complete the layout of sales.
  • Identifying and verifying the land status and environmental constraints affecting layout of the proposed project on the ground.
  • Reviewing, compiling, and analyzing field data.
  • Cruising and marking timber and preparing general logging plans while verifying logging system settings.

Leadership responsibilities of this position include communication with USFS and GBI staff, maintaining safety awareness and practices in the field, scheduling, logistics, and overseeing fidelity to methods and quality of outcomes.

LOCATION 

The incumbents will be based out of the Summit Ranger District (Pinecrest, CA) of the Stanislaus National Forest (STF), which is one of 19 National Forests in California. The STF’s landscape includes 811 miles of rivers and streams, pristine hiking trails, the entire Emigrant and portions of the Carson-Iceberg and Mokelumne Wilderness Areas, and popular recreation sites including Pinecrest Lake. Elevations range from 1,500 feet in the foothill region to peaks over 11,000 feet in the rugged high country, providing visitors with some of the most spectacular views of mountainous landscape in the entire west.

WORK SCHEDULE

The position is expected to begin in mid-April and conclude by mid-November, with the exact start and end dates being contingent upon project requirements and weather conditions, and subject to minor adjustments.

The standard work schedule for this role consists of four 10-hour days per week.

Temporary Special Assignment (TSA) employees are eligible for holiday pay, subject to partner approval. TSAs working a four-day, 10-hour schedule will receive 10 hours of pay for each approved holiday. Other workweek configurations may also be accommodated, with Banked Holiday(s) applied as appropriate.

Requirements/Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, employees must be able to satisfactorily carry out  each essential duty. The qualifications listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and abilities required.

• Bachelor’s degree (desirable) in Forestry or a closely related field, plus applicable field experience in techniques for timber sale preparation and operations.
• Knowledge of the mixed conifer forests of the Sierra Nevada California, including common plants (woody and herbaceous).
• Knowledge of timber sale contract provisions and working knowledge of standard logging techniques to resolve typical problems encountered under timber sale contracts.
• Experience in timber sale preparation practices including marking, layout, hazard tree ID, boundary etc.
• Ability to monitor and control the progressive logging operations of the contractor, which requires independently maintaining appropriate frequency and intensity of inspection, recognizing violations and inadequacies, and taking corrective action. Must consider long-range goals for land management and resource protection which are contained in management plans, as well as coordinate numerous detailed and complex contract provisions.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both written and orally, with a diverse audience; to identify and resolve operating problems, to inform others about the meaning of contract provisions and Forest Service policies, to clarify information, and to seek adherence to contract requirements.
• Experience using ArcGIS to create maps is preferred.
• Ability to navigate and collect data using handheld GPS units or tablets.
• Proficiency using a compass and topographic map to navigate.
• Possess a clean, valid, state-issued driver’s license with ability to safely operate and maintain a 4WD vehicle on and off paved roads.
• Ability to live and work in rural and remote field and office settings.
• Physically fit to work outdoors, carry up to 50 pounds of field equipment and personal gear, and hike across rugged terrain in hot temperatures several hours each day.
• Willingness and ability to work overtime hours for several consecutive weeks multiple times during the field season.
• Familiarity with best practices for field safety and Leave No Trace principles; and
• Willingness and ability to consistently enact high performance standards and a strong work and team ethic in support of the mission of GBI and the goals and objectives of the USFS.

TO APPLY

Please submit an up-to-date resume, a one-page cover letter that details your interest in the position, any qualifications not fully outlined in your resume, and contact information for three professional references. Qualified applicants will be contacted to schedule an interview.  For questions, please contact nshahreyar@thegreatbasininstitute.org 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS  

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to hike in rugged and uneven terrain, and is subject to low and high temperatures. Must work near heavy equipment which can be very loud.

NOTE:  This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the organization’s ongoing needs.

Disclaimer: Although the organization has attempted to accurately and thoroughly describe this position, GBI reserves the right to change the same, including to change, add to or subtract from the duties outlined, within the sole discretion of the organization, at any time, with or without advance notice.