Regional Job Board

Member Schedule & Location
Member will report to USFS Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit for departure to and return from project sites. Member may serve in the field on 4-day tours, 8-day tours, 5-day tours, or a mixture of the three, in an outdoor setting. Project site locations may include remote, backcountry locations requiring hiking over in steep or otherwise rough terrain for several miles carrying tools and equipment. Typical work days are 8 hours long from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Schedules will be dictated by project site, and distance from the field station. All schedules are subject to change due to unpredictable circumstances.

Member Position Summary

The LTBMU Prescribed Burn Crew is dedicated to hazardous fuel reduction in the Lake Tahoe basin. The program involves using chainsaws for thinning of timber, woodlands, or shrubs; utilizing prescribed fire to reduce fuels, piling and chipping of slash, monitoring pre-and post-fire effects, and fire suppression. The crew will be skilled in the use of a variety of hand tools and chainsaws. Projects require the use of safety equipment such as gloves, goggles, hardhats, and other provided fire-specific PPE. Crew members will be expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow workers, or property with which entrusted. Common hazards of field work include exposure to smoke, fire, wind, extreme weather, and unpredictable terrain. Prescribed Burn Crews are not expected to operate prescribed fire operations independently. They will be used as a resource, and be under the direction of a qualified Forest Service prescribed Fire Burn Boss.

Primary (Essential) Responsibilities

• Utilize chainsaw, handsaws, and loppers to perform hazardous fuels reduction & habitat restoration;
• Prepping sites for prescribed burns, including but not limited to chipping and piling slash, clearing escape routes, constructing fire lines, preparing equipment, and removing obstacles to the burn pile i.e. snow or nearby vegetation.
• Ignition operations i.e. igniting burn piles under direct supervision of LTBMU staff
• Monitoring burn piles for the duration of the burn, such as ensuring the fire has remained within designated boundaries, changing wind direction, and safety concerns
• Holding and mop up functions during prescribed fire operations
• Construction and utilization of firefighting hose lays, fire nozzles, and water sources
• Adhering to safety plans, burn prescriptions, and emergency procedures
• Adhere to all AmeriCorps, NCC, and agency sponsor policies while on project sites or at camp locations;
• Maintaining a positive and professional attitude at all times while providing service;
• Communicating effectively with crew members, crew leaders, NCC staff and agency project staff;
• Engage in cooperative efforts; work jointly and or alongside other crews from various agencies
• Complying with both production and quality work standards established by NCC administration, crew supervisors and project partners;
• Contributing to basic duties at the campsite including cooking, cleaning and organizing crew equipment;
• Show respect when interacting with other members, leaders, staff, project sponsors and community members;
• Participating in in-field education sessions.

Secondary and Related Responsibilities

• Engage in supplementary professional development and training opportunities as necessary and available, such as enhancing field leadership competencies
• Ensure all safety protocols followed;
• Maintain a positive and professional attitude at all times;
• Assist with the maintenance, repair, and organization of tools and equipment in the NCC shop and while in the field;
• Upkeep a baseline physical condition through required physical training programs;
• Uphold NCC and AmeriCorps standards of work production and quality.
• Must ensure to remain within the company-allotted time off limits throughout the season.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Physical ability to work long days, in adverse conditions, on labor intensive projects;
• Effective communication skills;
• Must have the physical ability to hike multiple miles, in steep terrain, with weighted packs and tools;
• Contribution to a learning environment, and understanding that not all members have equal capacities in knowledge, experience, or physical ability
• Ability to adapt to changing project and schedule expectations;
• Ability to function within a team, to cooperate with members and adjoining resources;
• Adherence to the commands of the crew lead, and understanding that orders and corrective actions are to promote the safety and effectiveness of the team;
• Ability to assess and inform management of unsafe practices, or unsafe changes in weather and fire behavior.

Required Academic and Experience Qualifications

• Meet AmeriCorps eligibility requirements: (1) U.S. citizenship, or U.S. national or legal resident alien status, (2) at least 18 years of age (3) High School Diploma or GED certificate (4) eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award (limit of four in a lifetime, or equivalent of two full-time terms of service), and (5) pass National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW) and federal criminal background checks.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS  

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands, stand, walk, bend, and have specific vision abilities to include close and distance vision, and ability to adjust focus working with computer business equipment and other job/industry specific equipment. Ability to perform heavy physical labor. Must be able to lift up to 80 pounds on occasion and up to 50 to 75 pounds for field-related work. The noise level in the work environment is usually mid level.

The overall nature of the position is active in nature, requiring frequent physical effort and exertion. There is frequent exposure to environmental conditions such as heat, cold, and temperature changes while in the field.

Disclaimer: Although the Company has attempted to accurately and thoroughly describe this position, the Company reserves the right to change the same, including to change, add to or subtract from the duties outlined, within the sole discretion of the Company, at any time, with or without advance notice.