The Forest and Fire Ecology Monitoring Technician performs and participates in fuels management operations and fire effects monitoring. Two positions are available mid-May 2018 through the end of August 2018. Both positions will be dedicated to a collaboration project between The Nature Conservancy, the U.S. Forest Service Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest and Northern Research Station in Rhinelander. Candidates will have exposure and learning opportunities related to fire science, forest management and restoration activities in addition to research monitoring activities associated with seed banks, tree and herbaceous vegetation monitoring, greenhouse techniques, and plant identification of pine barren ecosystems. As part of a larger team of technicians led by TNC staff and USFS staff, candidates will also get exposure to standard forestry practices and FIREMON sampling protocol used widely by the US Forest Service managers, as well as pollinator monitoring techniques and protocol. Opportunities to work on prescribed fires directly may be available if interest and timing allows. When not focused on monitoring efforts, candidates will work on fuel management projects that will include potential chainsaw work, pile building, and fire line preparations.
Forest and Fire Ecology Monitoring Technicians will work on a crew to manage fuels and prepare fire breaks for prescribed fires and will monitor fire effects and other monitoring and research needs of the USFS. Seasonal Fuels & Fire Monitoring Technician will use and maintain tools and equipment.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- May interact with visitors.
- Works under close or infrequent supervision.
- May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations for long periods of time in isolated settings, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.
- Requires considerable physical exertion and/or muscular strain.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience operating various types of equipment in a safe and efficient manner (e.g. lawn mower, chainsaw, UTV, ATV or OHV, two-way radio, or similar equipment).
- Must be able to obtain related licenses or certifications as required. (e.g. First Aid, CPR, herbicide or pesticide application, chainsaw certification)
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross cultural experience appreciated.
- Ability to follow instructions from colleagues/coworkers/team members.
- Ability to work in a team environment.
- Ability to obtain a driver’s license, and maintain a good driving record.
- Botanical knowledge of northern Wisconsin plants or demonstrated ability to identify and learn plants quickly.
- Bird identification of northern Wisconsin birds using songs