Forestry Crew Lead (Plumas NF, Feather River Ranger District)
About The Position
The Great Basin Institute, in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service (Region 5), is recruiting a Forestry Crew Lead to support timber sale preparation, fuels reduction, and reforestation efforts on the Feather River Ranger District of Plumas National Forest. This district includes mixed conifer forests, post-fire restoration areas, and active timber management units requiring layout, marking, regeneration monitoring, and seed collection work. The Crew Lead will play a key role in implementing silvicultural prescriptions that support forest resilience, wildfire risk reduction, watershed protection, and habitat conservation. This position provides valuable exposure to federal forestry operations, timber sale administration, and interdisciplinary resource coordination. 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).
Requirements
- Experience with timber cruising, marking, and unit layout
- Ability to navigate using GPS, map, and compass
- Valid driver’s license and ability to operate 4WD vehicles
- Ability to work in rugged terrain and variable weather conditions
- Experience leading field crews
- Strong organizational and communication skills
- Bachelor’s degree in Forestry (preferred), natural resource management or related field, with coursework AND one year of forestry-related fieldwork; OR
- Three years of professional fieldwork experience
Nice To Haves
- Familiarity with mixed conifer forests of Northern California
- Experience with post-fire restoration and regeneration surveys
- ArcGIS mapping experience
- Knowledge of forest health, fuels, hydrology, or heritage resource considerations
Responsibilities
- Conduct timber sale unit layout and boundary delineation using GPS, flagging, and paint
- Read, interpret, and implement silvicultural prescriptions
- Support timber sale preparation activities across assigned units
- Conduct cone surveys and cone collection to support reforestation efforts
- Assist with regeneration monitoring and reforestation data collection
- Support silviculture and vegetation management tasks as needed based on seasonal priorities
- Supervise and mentor a field crew of 2–6 members
- Ensure crew safety and compliance with USFS standards
- Provide saw training and oversight as needed
- Coordinate daily field operations and track accomplishments
- Maintain communication with USFS and GBI program staff
Benefits
- Medical, dental (with an option for upgraded coverage), and vision insurance
- A $25,000 Life/AD&D policy
- Voluntary short-term and long-term disability insurance
- Optional Life/AD&D coverage for family members
- Mental health support resources
- Generous paid time off (PTO) accrual and paid holidays
- Shared housing accommodations are provided for crew members
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
