Regional Job Board

Wilderness Stewardship Specialist – The Sierra Institute for Community and Environment

Taylorsville, California

The Sierra Institute for Community and Environment (Sierra Institute) is looking for a Wilderness Stewardship Specialist to coordinate, support, and work alongside wilderness field crews. The position will work closely with National Park Service and US Forest Service staff to support the success of a wilderness fuels module working in wilderness areas within Lassen Volcanic National Park and a wilderness trail crew working in Ishi Wilderness on the Lassen National Forest. During the field season, this position would be expected to work primarily in the field, with office days interspersed as needed. This is an exciting opportunity to support innovative stewardship in some of our wildest places!

The Wilderness Stewardship Specialist reports to the Stewardship Project Manager and may assist in the supervision of up to 14 seasonal staff members. The position requires an individual with the technical knowledge to advise crews, leadership skills to motivate, and a collaborative spirit to work effectively with Sierra Institute staff and partners. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Position is open until filled.

The selected applicant will have the opportunity to grow and develop as a Wilderness Stewardship Specialist under the guidance of, and with support from, an existing management team with extensive experience and training in natural resource management as well as restoration crew deployment and management.

This position will be responsible for supporting field crew operations – before, during, and after the field season. Job duties include but are not limited to: scouting and planning for projects; seasonal staff recruitment and hiring; maintaining tools, field supplies, and vehicles; providing and/or coordinating crew trainings; overseeing day-to-day operations of field crews; ensuring crews meet production rates; quality control; staff performance evaluations; tracking project accomplishments and data collection; assisting in the development and implementation of seasonal staff policies and procedures; and engaging in other field crew
support needs as identified.

Once established, the Specialist will be expected to work with the Stewardship Project Manager to identify and develop additional opportunities that increase the pace and scale of landscape restoration, with a particular emphasis on expanding Sierra Institute’s implementation workforce.

This position collaborates with other Sierra Institute staff, including: the P-CREW Youth Corps Coordinator to provide opportunities for youth to work alongside professional crews; and other staff to support training, forest health, fire management, and developed recreation projects.

This position works primarily outdoors alongside wilderness crews during the field season, with some office days for administrative work. While in the field, the Wilderness Stewardship Specialist will be expected to work alongside crews and stay overnight at project sites (oftentimes in the backcountry). Outside of the field season, this position will work predominantly from the office with sporadic fieldwork to assess project sites or attend meetings. During the field season, work will fall primarily within the hours of 7:00 am and 6:00 pm Monday-Thursday, though the field season work schedule will require flexibility to accommodate supporting crews, fieldwork, and other needs. An alternate schedule may be adopted during the off-season upon mutual agreement.

Qualifications:

• Experience leading and coordinating field crews such as fuels management and trails; or comparable work or professional education experience;
• Strong ability and willingness to mentor staff and manage crew dynamics;
• Ability to create a culture of safety, feedback, and continuous improvement within crews;
• Ability to live and work in wilderness backcountry settings;
• Experience with hand and power tool use and maintenance (chainsaws, crosscut saws, brush cutters, loppers, axes, mcleods, and other hand tools);
• Ability to lead and/or coordinate training (safety, tool use/maintenance, field skills, leadership/crew dynamics, working in the backcountry, Leave No Trace);
• Ability to manage tool and gear maintenance, organization, and procurement;
• Proficiency in mapping/navigation and satellite communication systems;
• Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate with federal, state, and other partners;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel);
• Basic understanding of land management policies and natural resource issues such as climate change, wildfire, forestry, wilderness stewardship, recreation impact/conflict, and ecological restoration;
• Interest in reimagining and developing the ecosystem restoration workforce of the future;
• A willingness to work and live in a rural, mountainous area that receives snow and ice in winter;
• Team-oriented and self-motivated;
• An ability to bring critical thinking skills, creativity, and laughter to the workplace;
• A personal vehicle for transportation outside of work.

Click here for more information and to apply.