Regional Job Board

Collaborative Forestry Technician – Sierra Institute

Taylorsville, CA

POSITION OVERVIEW
The Sierra Institute for Community and Environment (Sierra Institute) is hiring Collaborative Forestry
Technicians to perform forestry work necessary to advance critical timber management and
restoration treatments on public and private lands. This is a temporary position working 40 hours a
week. Technicians may work on various projects being advanced by Sierra Institute in collaboration
with diverse partners (USFS, NPS, private landowners, etc.). Work will include unit boundary marking,
GPSing unit boundaries, marking and cruising timber, and delineating boundaries of hand thinning units.
Forestry Technicians will operate under the direction of SI office support staff and with guidance from
project partners. Work objectives will be derived from treatment and management goals and will follow
prescriptions developed for specific project areas. The Collaborative Forestry Crew will be expected
to spend a small portion of their time contributing to empowering the next generation of natural
resource stewards through sharing forestry knowledge with Sierra Institute’s high school youth corps
members. Collaborative Forestry Technicians may also assist as necessary with other tasks necessary
to advancing collaborative restoration priorities. This is a unique opportunity to advance pivotal
collaborative forest and watershed restoration projects that aim to protect rural communities
from catastrophic wildfire and restore the unique landscapes of the northern Sierra and southern
Cascades.
Forestry Technicians will advance their knowledge of Sierra Nevada mixed-conifer forest ecosystems,
technical forestry, and collaborative forest management processes as well as standard procedures
and practices employed in the federal and private lands projects. Forestry Technicians will help assess
progress towards objectives, monitor/mitigate safety concerns in the field, and create a collaborative

work environment that encourages professionalism, learning, and efficiency. They will receive project-
specific training on tree-species identification, marking methodology, standard cruising methods, and

forest pathology/demography. Depending on the availability of US Forest Service staff, the crew may
have the opportunity to test for the USFS Region 5 timber cruising certification. Wilderness First Aid
and S-212 chainsaw certification training will also be provided.

Forestry Technicians must be organized, open to learning, possess the ability to motivate and support
their coworkers and be willing to work hard in a physically demanding role. This position requires hiking
while carrying a heavy pack and paint while mitigating known and unforeseen hazards such as smoke,
heat, cold, and strong wind. This position will utilize a 4/10 work schedule consisting of four 10-hour
days followed by three days off.
We invite all interested parties to apply including those belonging to Tribal communities,

women, POC, and LGBTQ+ persons.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
● Implementation of silvicultural prescriptions, cruising guides, and other project-specific
instructions
● Collaboration and communication with the forestry crew, SI staff, and project partners
● Maintain a positive attitude and strong pace of work under the leadership of the Lead
Collaborative Forestry Technician(s)
● Taking good care of equipment (cruising tools, marking paint, etc.) furnished by SI or USFS

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS
Required Qualifications:
● Progress towards a degree or certificate in Forestry, Natural Resource Management,
Ecological Restoration or related field(s), OR equivalent work experience in forestry or
conservation (e.g. timber marking, logging, wildland firefighting, botany, wildlife, etc.);
● Familiarity with compasses, topographic maps, and handheld GPS units or tablets to
navigate and collect data in the field;
● Interest in learning the ecology and natural systems of the Sierra Nevada and utilizing standard
forestry field techniques to advance forest restoration projects;
● Good physical conditioning to work and walk in the forest all day carrying day-packs with
equipment during all types of weather;
● An ability to bring adaptability and improvisation, critical thinking skills, creativity, and
humor to the workplace;
● Ability to be punctual, diligent, and thorough in their work and support a similarly strong
work ethic amongst fellow staff members;
● Possess a valid, clean, state-issued driver’s license, with an ability to safely operate a 4WD
vehicle;
● Full COVID vaccination status (vaccinated and boosted).
Preferred Qualifications:
● Experience with standard forestry field techniques, timber marking/ cruising;
● Experience working as part of a field crew or team, experience with safety
management, and experience collecting and managing field data;
● Familiarity with mixed conifer forests and the ability to identify common tree species in the
northern Sierra Nevada and southern Cascades;
● Bachelor’s degree, Associates degree, or professional certificate in Forestry, Natural

Resource Management, Ecological Restoration or related field(s);
● Current first aid or wilderness medical training certification (e.g., WFA, WFR, WEMT).
Skills or experiences that can fill in for qualifications will be considered.

WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
This is a field-based position that entails hiking and working primarily outdoors. Suitable candidates
should be able to hike several miles with a heavy pack, as the forestry crew is often carrying around
marking paint and forestry tools in addition to water and food. This position requires the ability to
recognize and mitigate safety hazards in the field and adapt to inclement weather conditions (heat,
smoke, thunderstorms, etc.). This position involves chainsaw training and operation, and the ability to
lift up to 50 lbs is recommended.

PAY & BENEFITS
Compensation is $21-$25 per hour commensurate with experience. Health benefits through Sierra
Institute are not available for this position, but may be obtained through Covered California
(http://www.coveredca.com/). Field staff will be provided monthly sick time, paid holidays, and a set
number of hours for paid wildfire mitigation leave. Paid wildfire mitigation leave is intended to mitigate
work days impacted by wildfire and smoke.
Necessary training will be provided (and paid): tree-species identification, marking methodology,
standard cruising methods, forest pathology/demography, chainsaw S-212 equivalent, Wilderness First
Aid, and USFS Region 5 timber cruising certification (pending USFS availability).

APPLICATION PROCESS
● Send cover letter, resume, and three references as one PDF to jobs@sierrainstitute.us. Use
“Collaborative Forestry Technician” as the subject line.
● Mention where you heard about the job (be specific).
● Position open until filled; applications reviewed on a rolling basis starting December 29,
2025.
● Questions? Call 530.284.1022 or email jobs@sierrainstitute.us.

ABOUT SIERRA INSTITUTE:
The Sierra Institute supports rural communities by promoting healthy forests, watersheds, and
natural resource management. Located in Taylorsville, CA, within Indian Valley, the organization
focuses on initiatives that benefit the environment, economy, and equity. Surrounded by public
lands like Plumas and Lassen National Forests, the area offers a uniquely rural lifestyle.
ABOUT TAYLORSVILLE:
Taylorsville, CA, is a small historic town in the scenic Indian Valley, known for its cultural richness and

outdoor recreation opportunities. With a population of 154, it features landmarks like the Taylorsville
Tavern and Young’s Market, as well as unique community events like the Silver Buckle Rodeo and
Holiday Light Parade. Surrounded by Lake Almanor, national forests, and Lassen Volcanic National
Park, Taylorsville offers year-round adventure despite the impacts of the 2021 Dixie Fire. It’s a
blended community of ranchers, loggers, and outdoor enthusiasts drawn to its charm and natural
beauty.