Reforestation Field Technician (OR)

Reforestation Field Technician, (Klamath Falls, Oregon)

Our Mission in Action

Trees play a vital role in solving some of the most pressing issues facing our communities, our society, and our world today. For 150 years, American Forests has stood boldly at the forefront of the conservation movement, working collaboratively and innovatively to ensure that all people have access to the benefits of trees. As we look ahead to the next 150, continued collective action will be essential to securing a healthy, climate-resilient future for all.

What You’ll Do

The scale of reforestation loss in the U.S. is currently outpacing natural recovery. With millions of acres impacted by high severity wildfire, disease, and severe weather events, American Forests and the USDA Forest Service have partnered to accelerate reforestation efforts on National Forest System lands.

As a field technician, you will be part of a four-person crew dedicated to high priority reforestation projects. You will be responsible for the technical, physical work that ensures new forests will grow, from site assessment and monitoring to coordinating complex field logistics. Working under the guidance of an American Forests field manager, with support from regional USFS staff, you will gain direct experience in large scale forest restoration and collaborative partnerships. Successful applicants must be located within reasonable distance of priority projects and partnerships and positions may require overnight travel up to 20% of the time.

Specific responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

Field Forestry Tasks (85%)

Field Technicians will participate in the reforestation field crew’s work under the guidance of the field manager and in collaboration with USDA Forest Service staff to implement reforestation projects by planning and performing tasks such as, but not limited to:

• Layout of units for planting, site preparation, orfuelsmanagement.
• Inspection of planting, site preparation, orfuelsmanagement contracts and maintenance of documentation of reforestation activities inappropriate formatsand databases.
• Complete on-the-groundreforestation surveys (stocking and survival).

• Timber site assessment and inventory plots on fuels reduction projects
• Use of a tablet to record and interpret spatial data in ESRI Field Maps, Survey123andother applications.
• Cone collection: preparation, cone surveys, tree climbing, and/or inspection of cone collection contracts.
• Post-collection maintenance of cone bushels and transport of cones from USFS facilities to seedextractories.
• Perform all tasksin accordance withsafety policies including use of company equipmentresponsiblyand respectfully.
• Coordination with research scientists whose studies are being implemented as part of the post-recovery project area.
• Coordinate and/or participate in project-level multi-party surveys and/or monitoring.

Administration, Work Planning (15%)

• Attend field safety trainings offered through American Forests and participating National Forest units.
• Coordinating field crew work schedules and travel logistics.
• Support Field Managers in tracking and recording reforestation accomplishment data into American Forests and USDA Forest Service databases.

What We’re Looking For

• Ideal candidates should have or be in pursuit of an associates or bachelor's degree in Natural Resource Management, Forestry, Conservation Biology or related field, including but not limited to wildlife management, range management, agriculture, soil science, or conservation of natural resources, or two years’ experience in natural resource management, or an equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Prior field experience working in forestry and natural resources, or a related field is highly desired.
• Familiarity with dry forest ecosystems, sustainable forestry, and natural resource conservation practices and principles is desired.
• Must have the ability to navigate using a directional compass and topographical maps.
• Self-starter with high dependability, keen attention to detail, willingness to learn,and excellent communication and organizational skills.
• ProficiencywithMicrosoftOutlook, Excel, and Word.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and written, sufficient to convey information and instructions to the public and colleagues. Ability to speak Spanish is highly desired.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license, and a reasonably clean driving record.

We don’t expect you to check every single box. If this role excites you, we want to hear from you! We’re interested in your ability to learn, collaborate, and bring fresh perspectives.

Our Core Competencies

Attitude • Communication • Organization • Problem-Solving & Creativity • Representing the Organization

• Reporting and Supervision

Field Technicians work as part of a four-person field forestry crew and will report to their respective Field Manager.

Compensation, Benefits & Working Conditions

This is an hourly, overtime eligible position. The range for hourly rate for Field Technicians is $24-$28/hour, depending on experience.

The Field Technician, (Klamath Falls) should be based within reasonable commuting distance of Klamath Falls, Oregon or be willing to reside in that location.

Field Technicians are seasonal positions that will work a variable field-based schedule during the 6–7-month field season, generally from mid-April to November. Applicants not available for the full season are welcome and encouraged to apply. The position will focus on work on the Fremont-Winema National Forest and will require regular travel to various field locations as part of the field crew’s activities. As a field-based position, Field Technicians will be traveling regularly as part of a seasonal forestry field crew and may have office work responsibilities before and after the field season. In the field, the Field Technicians will be expected to stand, walk, or sit for long periods of time and requires lifting materials weighing up to 50 lbs. Field work includes exposure to various risks, including, but not limited to: varying terrain, dense vegetation (poison oak/ivy, blackberry, etc.), and wildlife risks (bears, mountain lions, snakes, ticks, mosquitos, etc.), hot, wet, and cold conditions. Field Technicians may also be required to work long days and/or drive long distances. Reasonable accommodation may be made to provide access to all individuals along the continuum of human ability and experience.

Our benefits package includes:

Health and Wellness

Work-Life Balance

Financial and Retirement

• Medical, Dental, and Vision

• Vacation and Sick Leave

• 401(k) with 5% Match

• Employee Assistance Program

• Paid Holidays

• Flexible Spending Accounts

• Disability Insurance

• Parental Bonding Leave

• Technology Stipend

• Life and AD&D Insurance

• Bereavement Leave

• Pet Benefits

• Military Leave

The Forest Restoration Team

The Forest Restoration department connects the best available science, networks, and place-based implementation to protect and restore landscapes threatened by a wide variety of stressors for the benefit of people, water, wildlife and climate. Through our partnerships, American Forests is addressing reforestation needs in multiple regions of the United States.

About Us:

American Forests is a national non-profit organization committed to creating healthy and resilient forests from cities to large forest landscapes, that deliver essential benefits for climate, people, water, and wildlife. We advance our mission through forestry innovation, place-based partnerships to plant and restore forests, and movement building. We envision a world in which the significant environmental, societal, and economic benefits of forests are fully realized and equitably available to all people. Established in 1875, American Forests is the oldest national non-profit conservation organization in the U.S. working to restoring urban forests and forested landscapes for over 150 years.

American Forests is proud to be a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible workplace. These are our shared values. We welcome individuals who bring a variety of backgrounds and experiences to be a part of our team to help make a difference individually and collectively as we work toward achieving our mission. We are committed to fostering an environment that is welcoming and respectful and provides opportunities for advancement and professional growth for every team member.

American Forests is an equal opportunity employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law. Reasonable accommodation may be made to provide access to all individuals along the continuum of human ability and experience.

Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran/LGBTQ+ Encouraged to Apply

In accordance with federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, and reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible State or local Agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information is also available in languages other than English.