MARS Fuels, Forestry, & Fire Crew Crewmember

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Mt. Adams Resource Stewards (MARS), a non-profit organization founded in 2004, is accepting
applications for its Fuels, Forestry, & Fire Crew. MARS works to support the ecological and economic
health of communities in the Mt. Adams region. The Fuels, Forestry, & Fire Crew completes a variety of fuels management and forestry health tasks on public lands as well as on MARS-owned Community Forest land. Additional information about MARS can be found at www.mtadamsstewards.org.

Applicants interested in a position on the crew should feel called to a 4-season outdoor labor job and be motivated by opportunities to build skills in a variety of forestry related tasks, while building
connections to the Mt. Adams area.

Position Description and Responsibilities: MARS Fuels, Forestry, & Fire Crew crewmembers will work with public land management agencies, nonprofits and private landowners on a wide variety of field-based projects.

The crew demonstrates a strong work ethic, great teamwork and a commitment to safely completing difficult assignments. This often includes long shifts working in challenging conditions.

The Fuels, Forestry, & Fire Crew employs physically fit, highly motivated individuals. Competition for vacant positions is high, so references should show an applicant is inclusive of others, a positive team member, and an extremely hard worker at all times. Prior fuels, forestry, and/or fire experience is generally recommended to be a successful applicant.

Applicants with little or no experience must demonstrate excellent physical fitness, a high level of teamwork, personal motivation and potential to compete for new hire positions.

Additional skills of successful applicants may include, but are not limited to: chainsaw experience, wildfire qualifications, and medical training.

Where applicable, crew members will receive training that focuses on enhancing technical
project skills and field-based knowledge. Crew members may receive some or all of the
following: First Aid and CPR, S212 Chainsaw Operation, Wildland Firefighter Type II, forestry
techniques specific to pre-commercial thinning, training in collecting data for forest stand
exams.

Members will be part of a 4-5 person squad supervised by a Squad Lead, who in turn reports to the Stewardship Crew Program Manager. At times, multiple squads will work together to form a larger Crew. Staff are responsible for the safe completion of assigned work projects in a timely and professional manner to predetermined specifications under the direction of the Squad Lead and/or Program Manager. Work will consist of skilled manual labor and technical monitoring including the following:

General

• Work as a member of a team, both within the MARS organization and with partners
• Fulfill training obligations in order to meet project demands
• Perform demanding physical work in a variety of weather conditions
• Arduous chainsaw operations 8-10 hours/day
• Hike for extended distances while carrying loads up to 50 lbs or more
• Maintain equipment

Fuels and Forest Health Management 70%

• Operate hand tools and gas powered equipment (chainsaw, wood chipper, etc.)
• Remove hazard trees from burn unit perimeters
• Remove ladder & surface fuels from legacy old growth trees on interior of burn units
• Use Avenza to locate and mark plot points
• Communicate over radio with crew members about tree falling operations

Stand Exams (Tree Inventory Surveys) 5%

• Collect and record a variety of tree data including species, diameter, age, tree class, height, etc.
• Navigate off trail to plot points using Avenza and a compass

Prescribed Fire 15%

• Use a variety of ignition techniques to achieve prescribed burning objectives
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Miscellaneous 10%

• Habitat restoration projects
• Tree planting
• Trail building/maintenance
• Private land firewise projects

Firefighting Assignments

• Additionally in a partnership suppression agencies, crew members may have the opportunity to participate in a variety of wildland firefighting assignments through the season.

* Position duties are subject to be altered based on changing program and project priorities.
Positions are contingent on funding and satisfactory performance. The 2024 season work
schedule will most likely run from March through November, with possibility for extended
season based on crewmember availability, weather, and projects.

Required Qualifications:

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Education- Minimum of a high school degree or GED
• Physically fit and able to work long days in adverse conditions; ability to complete an
  arduous Work Capacity Test. The arduous level requires individuals to walk 3 miles in 45
  minutes while carrying a 45 pound pack on level terrain.
• Competent at preparing self for a full day of physical work in a remote location
• Ability to work as a team member
• Ability to adapt and adjust to changing work conditions and/or priorities
• Strong work ethic that reflects a passion for environmental stewardship and community
  engagement
• Valid driver’s license and safe driving record (no major moving violations or DUI’s)

* Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities
to perform the essential functions.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience with environmental work such as trail work, restoration work,
  wildfire suppression, etc.
• Participation in outdoor activities, work, lifestyle and/or pursuits
• Training and experience in the safe operation of chainsaws strongly desired
• Coursework in natural resource related field and/or recreation a plus
• Prior experience in environmental projects, outdoor recreation, resource management
  and familiarity using hand tools is desirable

* Mt. Adams Resource Stewards provides equal employment opportunities to all people regardless of race, age, gender, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion or any other
basis protected by law.