Forestry Technician

Job Overview

Salmon Valley Stewardship: Job Description 

Title: Forestry Technician 

Status: Seasonal employee. Average 40 hours per week. 

Location: Salmon, Idaho 

Reports to: Associate Director, Jenny Gonyer  

Performance Dates: June 3 –  Sept 27, 2023. October extension dependent on project funds. 

Background: 

Salmon Valley Stewardship, founded in 2004, works to promote a sustainable economy and healthy environment in the Salmon Valley Region of Central Idaho. SVS works with the Salmon-Challis National Forest Service to collect timber data to inform the management of forests, restoration projects and treatments within the SCNF. SVS crews work with public land management agencies and wildlife management agencies to collect vegetation, aspen, timber, and riparian data to be used in establishing baseline conditions, assess trends, and prioritize restoration projects.  

Position Summary: 

The Forestry Technician’s duties at Salmon Valley Stewardship will primarily focus on conducting natural regeneration surveys, assisting with planting units layouts, thinning unit layouts, cone surveys, cone collection, and other forestry related projects as needed near Salmon, Idaho. The majority of the technicians time will be spent in the field performing surveys to determine post wildfire stand conditions, identifying timber types, ground vegetation, insect and disease damage. Other time will be spent entering and checking data or helping with other SVS natural resource program activities. The start and end dates for this position are dependent on funding, site access and weather conditions.  Work will start with training in June with Forest Service partners, and project completion early fall. Position may be extended through October if funding is available. This position will entail working independently in the field.  

Qualifications: 

• Knowledge of common tree species and basic ground vegetation in the Pacific Northwest is ideal.  
• Knowledge of common forestry practices to perform exams competently is preferable. 
• Possess skills suitable for working and camping in remote and rugged outdoor environments with variable weather, sometimes alone. 

• A safe driving record, high comfort level with operating a 4-wheel-drive vehicle on rough roads. 
• Ability to use chainsaws and/or other tools to remove fallen debris from roadways.  
• A high level of physical fitness (ability to hike up to 5-10 miles with a light pack daily). 
• The ability to use a hand-held GPS device and data recording devices such as a tablet. 
• Self-motivation and initiative, organization and efficiency. 
• Willingness to work flexible hours to accommodate field days when necessary. 
• Ability to work independently and cooperatively in a team environment.  
• Ability to train volunteers in various monitoring protocols and plant identification.  
• Must enjoy a good laugh with a bunch of tree nerds. 

Position Description: 

• Performs surveys to determine stand conditions, needs for reforestation and the need for precommercial thinning and/or treatment. 
• Collects data on density and condition of trees and ground vegetation; insect, disease, and animal damage of stands.  
• Assist in layout, flagging and GPS’ing perimeters for thinning and planting unit polygons.   
• Assist with cone surveys to flag trees for cone collection efforts.  
• Ability to remove fallen trees from roadway to access work sites using chainsaws and/or other tools safely.  
• Performs safe working practices often solo. The work is performed in a forest environment where terrain may be uneven, rocky, and covered with thick vegetation.  Climatic conditions range from extremely hot and dry to extremely cold and wet.  Rain, snow, wind, or dust may be encountered.  The work involves regular and recurring risks or discomforts that require safety precautions or the use of safety equipment such as boots, gloves, goggles, and hardhats.  

Primary Responsibilities: 

• Collection of forestry data as directed by Forest Service partners. 
• Enter, edit, and quality control check collected data on data recorders. 
• Represent SVS and communicate project details to community members.  
• Assist the natural resources program manager in other program monitoring needs. 

Work Expectations: 

Seasonal position, 40 hours on average but will depend on climatic conditions and readiness of monitoring.  4/10 schedule as weather allows. 

Salary: Temporary Exempt Employee 

$16-21/hour, depending on experience. No paid time off is provided. This position is not eligible for health care benefits.  

How to Apply: Email resume and cover letter in PDF form describing forestry and field work experience and why you’re interested in the position, to [email protected]. Include how you heard about this position and SVS.  

Label email title: Forestry Tech Application –Your Name .

http://www.salmonvalley.org/       – https://www.facebook.com/salmonvalleystewardship/
 

Questions? Email [email protected] 

Applications reviewed on a rolling basis after April 5th. 

Posting Date: March 26, 2024.  Open until position filled. 

Announcement:  

Outreach Inquiry for Forest Program Coordinator position.  

Dependent on funding, SVS will be announcing a full-time Forest Program Coordinator position later in 2024.  

The coordinator will serve in a liaison role to continue working relationships with Forest Service staff and coordinate timber surveys and monitoring that provides essential information for the SCNF to achieve implementation of reforestation and forest health objectives. The coordinator will train crews to expand local monitoring skills, conduct forest stewardship surveys, and grow the forest monitoring program.    

**If interested in applying to this position, please email [email protected] and we will add you to the mailing list when we officially announce this job opening.