Are you enrolled in Forestry courses and looking to gain work experience applying your education? Recruitment is currently underway for multiple vacancies and prospective applicants are encouraged to apply immediately to receive consideration in the 1st round of applicant review. Consider this position for the Summer of 2025:
Duty Statement: https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/FileDownload.aspx?aid=25945292&name=2425_DS_Forestry_Aide.docx
Under the supervision of the Community Forestry Supervisor, the incumbent will be responsible for assisting a Registered Professional Forester (RPF) and other forestry program staff in a broad range of forest management activities, including: field preparation & layout of Conservancy fuels reduction & forest health projects; hazard tree & encroachment detection; forest monitoring and resource protection, among other responsibilities.
The Forestry Aide position works full-time during the season May through early-November *(Student schedules with availability less than this full seasonal schedule will be taken into consideration. Continuing students are still encouraged to apply.)
The reporting location for this position is 1690 Shop Street, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150. The weekly schedule is Monday through Thursday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
This position requires a Class C Driver's License. Proof of eligibility is requried prior to appointment.
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The California Tahoe Conservancy (Conservancy) is a state agency within the California Natural Resources Agency. The Conservancy’s jurisdiction spans the California side of the Lake Tahoe Basin (Basin) and covers approximately 236 square miles. This service area includes the City of South Lake Tahoe and portions of El Dorado and Placer counties.
The mission of the Conservancy is to lead California’s efforts to restore and enhance the extraordinary natural and recreational resources of the Lake Tahoe Basin.
At the Conservancy, we know the importance of building an organization that is as diverse as the communities we serve. We believe in maintaining a workplace where employees from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and lived experiences can thrive. Working together, our team is positioned to improve the lives of all Californians.
General Duty Statement
Under the supervision of the Community Forestry Supervisor, the incumbent will be responsible for assisting a Registered Professional Forester (RPF) and other forestry program staff in a broad range of forest management activities, including: field preparation & layout of Conservancy fuels reduction & forest health projects; hazard tree & encroachment detection; forest monitoring and resource protection, among other responsibilities.
Job Duties
Essential: 55% Forestry project layout &preparation
· Use hand-held global positioning system (GPS) receiver, GPS antennae, assessor parcel maps, subdivision maps, other maps, magnetic locator, digital tools and additional resources to identify and flag project boundaries;
· Identify and flag sensitive resources (e.g., stream environment zones, cultural areas, nesting bird sites, protected status flora) and flag for exclusion from treatment within project boundaries;
· Apply knowledge of desired conditions related to fire hazard reduction, forest stand structure and composition in accordance with the Conservancy’s Forestry Guidelines and RPF prescription;
· Identify and mark trees for removal consistent with Forestry Guidelines and project-specific forestry prescriptions, including assessing tree health & hazard trees;
· Apply knowledge of California and Lake Tahoe Basin rules and regulations (e.g., California Environmental Quality Act, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency code, California Forest Practice Rules).
Essential: 30% Assist with Forest Monitoring
· Perform implementation of forestry monitoring, utilizing: specialized forestry equipment, knowledge of local flora and application of survey protocol upon training
Essential: 10% Assist with on-going forestry program activities and public outreach
· Assist Conservancy biologist with wildlife and habitat assessment surveys;
· Inspect state parcels and active projects, reporting issues observed to relevant staff & project manager;
· Assist program staff with citizen calls regarding hazardous vegetation;
· Address public inquires in the field regarding Conservancy’s mission, objectives and forest practices, as well as providing additional resources;
· Assist Conservancy field crews with time sensitive erosion control, fuel hazard reduction or other resource protection projects;
· Utilize phone-based software for inputting field data.
Non-Essential: 5% Special Projects
Implement special projects or other duties depending on skill set and agency need.
Supervision Received
The Forestry Aide reports directly to the Community Forestry Supervisor. The RPF, Forestry Field Preparation Specialist and program staff will provide project specific direction, training, and assignments.
Required Skills
The incumbent requires computer skills (Word and Excel); writing and analytical skills; the ability to work independently and to communicate (verbal/written) clearly, concisely and accurately; to reason logically and creatively in resolving problems; skill in dealing effectively with others; willingness and ability to accept increasing responsibility and meet deadlines; the ability to use GPS, maps and a compass; apply basic principles of forestry and fire protection; identify tree and shrub species; apply laws, rules, and regulations applicable to scope of duties and responsibilities (e.g., Public Resources Code, Health and Safety Code, Penal Code, California Administrative Code) to ensure compliance for public safety and environmental protection; and the ability to foster and succeed in a work environment that celebrates diverse backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences.
Special Personal Characteristics
The incumbent should also possess a willingness and ability to maintain sufficient physical condition in order to perform tasks in support of the Conservancy's mission including regular physically strenuous field work; willingness as a learner to do routine and detailed work; and an aptitude and liking for forestry work.
Attendance
Must maintain regular and acceptable attendance at such level as is determined at the Conservancy’s sole discretion. Must be regularly available and willing to work the hours the Conservancy determines are necessary or desirable to meet its business needs.
Other Information
The duties of this position are performed inside and outside. The employee’s workstation is located at 1061 3rd Street building and is equipped with standard or ergonomic office equipment, as appropriate. Travel is required to attend meetings, training and project sites. Requires use of telephone, personal computer, GPS, and other specialized forestry tools. Incumbent must work well under pressure, meeting multiple and sometimes conflicting deadlines.
Outdoor Work may include:
Inclement weather, which can mean rain, ice, snow, flood events, extreme heat, fire
Adverse conditions, such as working in active waterways or near prescribed fire operations
Traversing steep and uneven terrain
Use of specialized outdoor and technical equipment
Visiting active forestry project sites
Remote work sites
Physical conditions of the work may require the need to:
Be outdoors for up to 8-10 hours a day
Stand/walk for up to 8-10 hours a day
Sit for up to 8-10 hours a day
Work on a computer for up to 8 hours a day
May have to lift up to 50 lbs.
Using stairs
Miscellaneous:
· Drive safely in adverse conditions
· Wear appropriate safety gear
Who May Apply
This is a non-testing Classification, therefore, anyone meeting the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification may apply for this position. Individuals in specific programs, such as the Welfare to Work Program, are encouraged to apply and will be given priority according to the applicable Laws and Rules. Please note on your application your current participation in these programs.
Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).
How To Apply
Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:
Address for Mailing Application Packages
You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:
CA Tahoe Conservancy
Stefanie Melendez
Attn: Stefanie Melendez
1061 3rd Street
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
CA Tahoe Conservancy
Stefanie Melendez
1061 3rd Street
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
Office hours Monday - Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Required Application Package Documents
The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:
Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
Resume is required and must be included.
Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.
Benefits
Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.
Health, dental, and vision benefits are available to candidates that commit to at least 6-months or more.
Contact Information
The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the application process. The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position.
Human Resources Contact:
Stefanie Melendez
(530) 318-8584
stefanie.melendez@tahoe.ca.gov
Hiring Unit Contact:
Alan Castner
(530) 307-1229
Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.
EEO Contact:
Jane Freeman
(530) 307-9490
California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.