Contract Length: 6 months
See full details at https://www.vscyberhosting.com/greatbasin/Careers.aspx?req=2021-RAP-051&type=JOBDESCR
Job Description:
The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with Sequoia National Forest, Hume Lake Ranger District (Dunlap, CA), is recruiting a Fuels Resource Assistant (RA) to perform a variety of Fuels related tasks and support various aspects of NEPA completed Fuels projects. RA duties and projects will be focused on completing burn plans, and strategically planning for the implementation of four (4) District Fuels projects that will use a combination GBI and other Fuels crews. Additional RA duties include providing analysis for projects that still need to have National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis completed, as well as identifying out-year fuels projects (maps, initial purpose and need/proposed action statements) to put on 5-year Program of Work (POW) & NEPA schedules. The RA will have the opportunity to collaborate with both personnel from the Hume Lake Ranger District Office and the Forest Supervisor’s office to coordinate these projects.
This position is supported through the Forest Service’s Resource Assistants Program (RAP). RAP participants who successful complete their appointment will receive a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) certificate. The DHA certificate allows the individual to be appointed into a permanent Forest Service position, ideally related to the focus of their RAP appointment and with the Forest that hosted the participant. For more information about this program, please visit the USFS’s RAP website.
Primary Responsibilities:
• Gather, compile and report data for Fuels projects;
• Serve as inspector on service projects ensuring work is completed properly
• GPS Fuels units and identify boundaries
• Create maps from previous or current data to provide analysis around projects
• Work with partner organizations and coordinate District Fuels data
• Provide Fuels analysis support to NEPA projects
• Perform fieldwork as well as administrative tasks in an office setting
The RA may be required to travel and work in the backcountry and other remote locations on the forest. Travel and work will be performed both independently and in teams. Driving on and navigating forest roads may be required. Field components of this position may be physically demanding, requiring hiking in steep terrain at high elevations (5,000-9,000 ft.) with heavy packs and/or equipment, possibly during extreme or inclement weather conditions such as heat, smoke, high winds, snow, or rain.
Contract Timeline:
• 26-week appointment beginning January – July, 2022
• Full time (40 hours/week)
Location:
Hume Lake Ranger District is the most northern portion of the Giant Sequoia National Monument and is adjacent to Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks. This 195,606-acre district has elevations ranging from about 1,000 feet along the Kings River, to 11,000 feet at the peak of Mt. Harrington, and is home to 13 Sequoia Groves and the majestic Kings Canyon. The district also includes 2 wilderness areas, 18 developed campgrounds (including 4 group sites), 2 rental cabins, developed day use areas, 113 miles of trails, 150 miles of Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) trails, 25 groomed snow trails, and much more.
Compensation and Benefits:
• Wage: $12.50/hour ($500/week)
• Housing:
– Stipend: $1,000/month
– Onsite housing may be provided
• Commuter Stipend: $50/month
• Eligibility for the RAP Direct Hire and Noncompetitive Hiring Eligibility authorities for 2 years after successful completion of the program
• Paid personal leave and holidays
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance available at no cost
• Opportunity to participate in numerous trainings and workshops
Job Qualifications:
Technical requirements:
• Bachelor’s degree or relevant coursework towards a degree in Forestry/Forestry Resources, Natural Resource Management, Geography, GIS, Biology/Ecology, Agriculture or other related fields or equivalent field experience (required);
• Direct experience conducting arduous field work and working as part of a team in a remote setting (required);
• Familiarity with use of various computer programs/systems, such as ArcGIS/ArcMap, Avenza, Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Office (word, excel, etc.), or the demonstrated ability to learn (preferred);
• Experience conducting field analyses;
• Experience in coordinating various project data;
• Experience using a GPS unit to navigate and collect spatial data;
• Ability to read and navigate using USGS topographic maps and a compass;
• Prior experience utilizing ArcGIS software and developing project maps, desirable but not required;
Additional requirements:
• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly, both orally and in writing, in a professional setting and to diverse audiences;
• Familiarity with NEPA process and compliance desirable but not required;
• Demonstrates ability to be open to learning new skills, as well as ability to follow-through by utilizing those skills;
• Organizational skills to effectively plan and complete assigned workload within defined timelines;
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, sometimes in remote environment;
• Ability to complete activities including prolonged periods of deskwork, lifting and moving of heavy items up to 50 pounds, and regularly walking around the site in all types of weather; and,
• Possess a valid, state-issued driver’s license and clean driving record.