Collaborative Forest Management Apprentice
Agency: Sierra Institute for Community and Environment
Location: Taylorsville, CA
Closing Date: March 22
Contact: Please email Kyle Rodgers at krodgers@sierrainstitute.us if you have questions.
Term/Grade: Temporary
Position Summary: The Sierra Institute for Community and Environment (Sierra Institute) is looking for one motivated individual to fill the position of Collaborative Forest Management Apprentice. The selected applicant will work at the intersection of community and natural resources on collaborative forest and watershed restoration. Work will include both applied research and capacity-building work to promote resilient forest ecosystems and rural communities. Occasional travel to rural communities throughout the state to conduct related work and research will be required. Apprenticeships will last a minimum of six months, but may be extended up to nine months, with potential for a transition to full time, regular employment. Review of applications will begin on March 22, 2021, with an anticipated start date of late May/early June.
Major Duties: The selected candidate will have the opportunity to advance their knowledge and professional skills while contributing to meaningful outcomes for rural communities and landscapes through involvement with a suite of Sierra Institute projects. Project areas described below provide an overview of the core efforts the selected apprentice will contribute to. These are meant to provide a general understanding of the position, and may not capture all responsibilities.
Collaborative Restoration Planning and Implementation (~50%): The Sierra Institute in partnership with the South Lassen Watersheds Group, a collaborative group planning for the future of forest management, climate resilience, and economic development in critical upper watersheds, to accelerate restoration across an 850,000-acre landscape. In support of this work, the apprentice will work with staff on numerous projects. Active projects include large landscape restoration planning on a 150,000 acre multi-jurisdictional restoration project, planning for reintroduction of prescribed fire in a recommended Research Natural Area, implementation of fuels management in preparation for prescribed fire in wilderness areas, and integrated forest-meadow-stream restoration across several project areas. Activities may include, but are not limited to, providing planning process support, conducting background research for environmental planning, and engaging in an array of field activities including forest monitoring and inventory, project preparation work, and implementation of fuels reduction and forest restoration on public and private lands.
Collaborative Natural Resource Management (~25%): The Sierra Institute is actively engaged with a number of collaboratives working to advance landscape scale, cross-boundary forest restoration while improving local socioeconomic conditions. Our work includes facilitation and coordination of individual groups, research to identify and address shared barriers to success among these groups. Apprentice duties related to this work may include forest and watershed management research, collaborative forestry policy analysis, interview assistance, and extensive meeting coordination support.
Small-diameter Wood Utilization (~15%): In concert with our restoration efforts, Sierra Institute is pursuing an array of local small-diameter wood utilization opportunities. Selected candidates will work alongside Sierra Institute staff to identify opportunities to promote the utilization of small-diameter wood from restoration projects.
General Organizational Support (~10%): As a member of Sierra Institute’s professional staff, the apprentice will contribute to the organization’s overall pursuit of its mission. Responsibilities may include participating on field trips with youth, assisting with administrative duties in the main office, or other organizational support activities.
See the complete announcement and apply here.
