Timber Sales Administrator (Sequoia NF, Kern Ranger District)

The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with the US Forest Service Sequoia National Forest, is recruiting a Timber Sale Administrator to work cooperatively with USFS and GBI staff to administer timber sales while having conventional contract requirements and conditions. 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 may work full-time (30 or more hours per week) or part-time (less than 30 hours per week).

Essential Job Functions may include the following:

• Monitoring and inspecting timber sale 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 have an effect on other forest resources or accuracy of marking and scaling.
• Developing a schedule and other plans for inspecting timber sale areas for compliance with contract clauses governing location and construction of non-system roads, fire prevention, personal safety precautions, and cutting provisions. Obtaining compliance or reporting noncompliance to supervisor.
• Preparing written reports of all sale inspections and making follow-ups on deficiencies. Performing final inspections and recommending acceptance of the contract for closure.
• Performing other work as required such as timber sale improvement and reforestation as qualified.
• Responsible for Timber Sales Preparation duties, 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.

WORK SCHEDULE
This position will begin in mid-May and end as late as mid-November. Season start and end dates are project and weather dependent and may change slightly. 

Forestry Crew positions follow 10 hour days, 4 days a week schedule. 

Temporary Special Assignment employees are eligible to receive holiday pay, if partner approved. TSAs working four (4) ten (10) hour days per workweek will be paid ten (10) hours for all holidays.  Same with other approved/allowable workweek configurations; these can be accommodated accordingly with Banked Holiday(s).

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree (minimum) 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 typical of eastern California, including common plants (woody and herbaceous), wildlife, and/or geology/topography;
• 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.
• Experience leading forestry crews in the field, including oversight of safety, communication, fidelity to methods, and quality of accomplishments;
• 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 preferred;
• Ability to navigate and collect data using handheld GPS units;
• 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 setting;
• Physically fit to work outdoors, carry up to 50 pounds of field equipment and personal gear, and withstand the rigors of a forested and/or high desert environment in all seasons;
• Willingness and ability to work extensive overtime hours for several consecutive weeks multiple times during the field season;
• Willingness and ability to camp in remote, primitive sites for several consecutive days;
• 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.