Regional Job Board

Lead Collaborative Forestry Technician -Sierra Institute

Taylorsville, CA

DEPARTMENT: Community-Based Natural Resource Management
REPORTS TO: Tony Charbonnier, Partnership Prep Forester
LOCATION: On Site, Taylorsville, CA – with project work in Plumas and Lassen counties
EMPLOYMENT TYPE: [ ] Full-Time [ ] Part-Time [X] Temporary
SEASON DATES: May – November 2026 (season dependent on weather conditions; start/end
dates may be flexible for those with scheduling conflicts)

POSITION OVERVIEW
The Sierra Institute for Community and Environment (Sierra Institute) is hiring one Lead Collaborative
Forestry Technician to serve as a crew lead for a Collaborative Forestry Crew. This is a temporary full
time position working 40 hours a week.. The Lead Forestry Technician will lead the crew in performing
forestry work necessary to advance critical timber management and restoration treatment on public
and private lands. 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. The Lead Forestry Technician 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 needed 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.
The Lead Technician 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 federal and private lands projects. The Lead Forestry Technician will lead
the Collaborative Forestry Crew in assessing progress towards objectives, monitoring/mitigating safety
concerns in the field, and creating a collaborative work environment that encourages professionalism,

learning, and efficiency. The Collaborative Forestry Crew will receive project-specific training on tree-
species identification, marking methodology, standard cruising methods, and forest

pathology/demography. The Lead Forestry Technician will provide on-the-job training and guidance
to the members of the Collaborative Forestry Crew. 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.
The Lead Technician must be organized, open to learning, and possess the ability to motivate and
support their fellow Crew Members, and be willing to work hard in a physically demanding role. This
position requires hiking while carrying a heavy pack and paint and mitigating known and unforeseen
hazards such as smoke, heat, and strong wind. This crew 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
● Ensuring that silvicultural prescriptions, cruising guides, and other instructions are accurately
and effectively implemented by the Collaborative Forestry Crew
● Crew field safety and hazard mitigation – leading tailgate safety meetings, tracking stock of
PPE, preventative maintenance checks on crew vehicles
● Managing organization of the Collaborative Forestry Crew – preparedness, punctuality,
performance, pace of work, keeping track of equipment furnished by SI or USFS
● Communication with the supervisor about any issues with crew personnel, safety, etc.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS
Required Qualifications:
● Minimum of 12-months combined field experience in forest or other natural resource
management, this may include but is not limited to corps work, wildland fire, research and
survey work within the environmental field, land conservation, etc.;
● Minimum of 6-months leading others in carrying out the above;
● Experience 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.);
● Experience with standard forestry field techniques, timber marking/cruising, and ecology and
natural systems of the Sierra Nevada;
● Ability to use compasses, topographic maps, and handheld GPS units or tablets to navigate
and collect data in the field;
● Ability to track and report project accomplishments;
● 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 crew 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 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;
● USFS Qualified Cruiser certification;
● 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, or
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 $23 – $27 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
“Lead 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.