Wilderness Fuels Module Crew Lead

Unless posted on USAJobs.gov, the positions and organizations linked to here are in no way affiliated with or sanctioned by the Peace Corps or the United States government. The views, positions, and priorities expressed by the posting organizations are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the Peace Corps or the Government of the United States.

ABOUT SIERRA INSTITUTE:
The Sierra Institute supports rural communities by promoting healthy forests, watersheds, and natural resource management. Located in Taylorsville, CA, within Indian Valley, the organization focuses on initiatives that benefit the environment, economy, and equity. Surrounded by public lands like Plumas and Lassen National Forests, the area offers a uniquely rural lifestyle.

ABOUT TAYLORSVILLE:
Taylorsville, CA, is a small historic town in the scenic Indian Valley, known for its cultural richness and outdoor recreation opportunities. With a population of 154, it features landmarks like the Taylorsville Tavern and Young’s Market, as well as unique community events like the Silver Buckle Rodeo and Holiday Light Parade. Surrounded by Lake Almanor, national forests, and Lassen Volcanic National Park, Taylorsville offers year-round adventure despite the impacts of the 2021 Dixie Fire.

It’s a blended community of ranchers, loggers, and outdoor enthusiasts drawn to its charm and natural beauty.

POSITION OVERVIEW The Sierra Institute for Community and Environment (Sierra Institute) in cooperation with Lassen Volcanic National Park (LAVO) is hiring one Wilderness Fuels Module Crew Lead to lead an eight person crew performing fuels management in LAVO to promote future prescribed and/or managed fire activities in wilderness areas of the Park.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the WFM crew in safely felling, bucking, and limbing trees using non-mechanized equipment.
• Create firesline using non-mechanized equipment.
• Rearrange fuels either by piling or lopping and scattering, depending on fuel loading and prescription.
• Supervise Sierra Institute’s youth corps, “P-CREW” on occasional visits throughout the season to assist on the work site.
• Help plan crew work and assess progress towards objectives, manage crew safety, and assist with training crew members.
• Oversee tool maintenance, work site activities, and camp life to ensure that tasks are being done correctly, and in accordance with Leave No Trace guidelines.
• Work with project partners at Lassen Volcanic National Park to interpret and implement silvicultural prescriptions.

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum of three years’ combined field experience in forest or other natural resource management, this may include but is not limited to biological research, survey work, land conservation, or wildland fire.
• Minimum 18 months experience with crew leadership, oversight/safety management;
• Experience with utilizing non-mechanized equipment (crosscut saws, axes, etc.) to perform fuels reduction (i.e. felling and bucking);
• Minimum Faller 1 or equivalent (minimum Class
  
  A);
• Experience with maintenance of non-mechanized tools and ability to teach others appropriate tool maintenance techniques;
• Familiarity with mixed conifer forests and the ability to identify common tree species in the northern Sierra Nevada and southern Cascades or willingness to learn necessary skills;
• Ability to use compasses, topographic maps, and handheld GPS units or tablets to navigate and collect data in the field;
• Ability to interpret and communicate stand prescriptions;
• Good physical conditioning to work and walk in the forest all day carrying day-packs with equipment during all types of weather;
• Ability to live in a campsite setting for eight days at a time;
• An ability to bring adaptability and improvisation, critical thinking skills, creativity, and humor to the workplace;
• Ability to effectively work with diverse teams or with diverse groups of people;
• Ability to effectively serve as a field supervisor for other staff while also conducting implementation activities;
• Ability to be punctual, diligent, and thorough in their work and support a similarly strong work ethic amongst crew members;
• Ability to…