2016 FIA Forestry Technician Seasonal Position Announcement
SEASONAL POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT
POSITION TITLE: Forestry Technician - Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) Crew Member
LOCATION: Various locations throughout Colorado and Wyoming, including Ft. Collins, Golden, Cañon City, Gunnison, Durango, Grand Junction, Steamboat Springs, and Sheridan, Wyoming.
HOURLY PAY RATE: $13.25 - $14.50 commensurate with experience. Overtime will be made available.
HOUSING: Housing is not provided, but assistance may be available to help find accommodations. Crews will be in travel status for the majority of the field season, but will need to have lodging near their respective duty station.
EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Full-time seasonal positions are with the Colorado State Forest Service and will generally not exceed six months, with a possibility to extend to nine months. Expected range of employment will be from early May 2016 thru the end of October 2016. Actual length of employment is dependent upon workload, weather, and other factors.
CLOSING DATE: Applications will be considered until the positions are filled. Materials received by 11:59pm MST April 15th, 2016 will receive full consideration. Applications after this date will be considered on a need-to-fill basis.
Conditions of Employment:
• Ability to perform strenuous work in variety of weather conditions, including rain, snow, and rapidly fluctuating daily temperatures
• Ability and willingness to work irregular work hours and periodic long days, evenings, and weekends with frequent overnight travel lasting 10 or more days
• Ability to safely operate 4-wheel drive vehicles, ATVs, and forest machinery and tools
• Ability and willingness to tent-camp and backcountry hike, including off- and on-trail
• Ability to provide suitable work gear, including sturdy hiking boots, rain gear, tent, sleeping bag, and other personal items related to camping, hiking, and outdoor gear
Minimum Requirements:
• A 2-year Associate of Science degree, Associate of Applied Science degree, and/or seeking a 4-year degree in Biology, Botany, Forestry, Geology, Natural Resource Management, or related-field
• Ability to carry a 35+ pound pack while hiking in elevations ranging from 3,500 to 14,000 feet
• Have a valid state driver’s license and the ability to pass a motor vehicle background check
2016 FIA Forestry Technician Seasonal Position Announcement
Preferred Experience and Qualifications:
• Experience with topographic maps, compass, and aerial photos for road navigation, interpreting cover types, identifying point locations, and navigating in wilderness situations
• Capable of using GPS units to collect field data
• Completed dendrology course and be familiar with identification of western tree and shrub species
• Understanding and experienced with basic field forestry skills related to cruising and timber marking
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including working with the general public
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• General safety (CPR and First Aid) and wilderness safety training and experience
• Ability to keep track of weekly work hours and work-related expenses
Job Summary, Duties, and Responsibilities:
These positions are with the Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS) Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) Program. This FIA unit is part of a nationwide US Forest Service program which collects, processes, analyzes, evaluates, and publishes comprehensive information on forest resources. Field-based measurements occur on permanent plots that are located on a systematic grid across public and private ownership. Data collected from these inventories are based on tree measurements, forest health parameters, understory vegetation composition, habitat types, down dead woody material, silvicultural practices, natural disturbances, and land ownership.
The Forestry Technician reports directly to and assists each FIA Crew Leader with ecological field inventories. There is an expectation to work and communicate as a productive and safe team in remote locations. This incumbent will help locate permanent field plots with road navigation, interpreting maps and aerial photos, determining scale of aerial photos, running compass lines, chaining/pacing distances, and using GPS equipment. The incumbent will be responsible for measuring forest inventory variables related to percent ground cover, tree diameters, tree heights, tree vigor, tree status, and fire fuel loading. Duties will also include measurements involving vegetation diversity and soil and erosion data.
To accomplish the fieldwork, the Forest Technicians will need to carry backpacks with 35+ pounds of work and personal gear across steep terrain ranging in elevation from 3,500 to 14,000 feet in potentially inclement weather conditions. In certain circumstances, the incumbent should be comfortable traveling on horseback and ATV. Extensive travel throughout Colorado and Wyoming is expected, requiring frequent stays in hotels and backcountry camping. The typical work schedule is Monday thru Friday, and weekend work may occur.
2016 FIA Forestry Technician Seasonal Position Announcement
To Apply:
Please email (preferred and in a PDF format) or mail the application materials to the address below:
1) Cover letter stating interest in this position, ranking preference of duty locations, and addressing one’s skills and experience related to the conditions of employment, position requirements, qualifications, duties and responsibilities. Cover letter should not be longer than 2 pages (one-sided and single-spaced).
2) Professional resume that also includes ranking preference of duty locations. Resume should not be longer than 2 pages (one-sided and single-spaced) and include physical address, phone, and email.
3) Unofficial copy of college transcripts that include cumulative GPA and list of courses completed.
4) A list of 3 professional references that is not longer than one page. Each reference will include full name, professional relationship to applicant, work address, professional affiliation, phone number(s), and email address. References will not be contacted without prior notification of candidates.
To submit your application and for questions regarding the position, please contact:
Wilfred Previant Colorado State Forest Service
FIA Program Manager 5060 Campus Delivery
Wilfred.Previant@colostate.edu Fort Collins, CO 80523
Cell: 970.420.8659 Office: 970.491.5342
This announcement is also posted on our website at: http://csfs.colostate.edu/employment
CSU is an EO/EA/AA employer. Colorado State University conducts background checks on all final candidates.