Stewardship Crewmember

Mt. Adams Resource Stewards mission is to promote sustainable connections between the land, local economies, and rural communities in the Mt. Adams Region. Our efforts seek to grow more vibrant rural communities by:

• Maintaining and creating reliable, living wage jobs and economic opportunity built around our greatest asset – our natural resources;
• Facilitating and demonstrating land stewardship that supports resilient, functional ecosystems across ownerships;
• Connecting both residents and visitors with opportunities to engage in local land–based traditions, the evolving role communities can have in resource management, and awareness of the relevance of rural, resource-based communities to our broader society.

Job Overview

Position Announcement: Stewardship Crew Member
Duration: 8-10 months per year (subject to change, weather & project dependent)
Hours: 40/week (field-based)
Duty location: Glenwood, WA / Trout Lake, WA
Work environment: Extensive outdoor work with exposure to remote work locations, inclement
weather and extensive physical work duties. Some office work required.
Salary and benefits: $18.00 – $20.50 / hr DOE., Health Insurance + $350 stipend for
work boots/gear. Overtime opportunities during optional firefighting assignments
contingent on continued partnership with the Forest Service.
Closing date: OPEN UNTIL FILLED, estimated start date March 1 – April 1, 2022

Applicants interested in a position on the crew should feel called to a 3 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: Stewardship crew members will work with public land management agencies, nonprofits, and private landowners on a wide variety of field-based projects.

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 conducting data for forest stand
exams.

Members will be part of a 4-6 person crew supervised by the Stewardship Crew Assistant
Lead, who in turn reports to the Stewardship Crew Project Lead. 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 Assistant Crew Lead and/or Project
Leader. Work will consist of skilled manual labor and technical monitoring including the
following:

General 

• Fulfill training obligations in order to meet project demands 
• Perform demanding physical work in a variety of weather conditions 
• Hike for extended distances while carrying loads up to 50 lbs or more
• Assist in maintenance of equipment 
• Work as a member of a team, both within the MARS organization and with partners

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) 10%

• 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 5% 

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

Miscellaneous 15%

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

Optional: Firefighting Assignments 

• In a partnership with USFS, crew members may have the opportunity to participate in a variety of wildland firefighting assignments through the season as ADs. 

* Position duties are subject to be altered based on changing program and project priorities. Positions are contingent on funding and satisfactory performance. The 2022 season work schedule will most likely run from March/April through November, with possibility for extended season based on crewmember availability, weather, and projects. 

Special Benefits

Health Insurance Stipend, $350 gear stipend, 4/10 schedule during the summer, Wildland Firefighting training opportunities, opportunities to work on USFS hand crews & engines.

Minimum Requirements

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