The Utah Conservation Corps (UCC) in partnership with the Ashley National Forest is advertising a (Lead) Forestry Technician / Timber Crewmember. This is a 3–6-month full-time work experience from approximately mid-May through Sept-Nov 2023 (depending on availability).

The Utah Conservation Corps (UCC) is Utah's award-winning, and nationally recognized statewide Conservation Corps headquartered in Logan, Utah at Utah State University's main campus. The UCC has been Utah's largest environmental AmeriCorps program since 2001, completing service work on public lands, in communities, and with various organizations throughout the state.

This position is located in Vernal, UT.

If you have questions about this Forestry Technician Crewmember position, please contact:

• Trevor Shafer, Silviculture Forester on the Ashley National Forest, trevor.shafer@usda.gov, 435-781-5192.

If you have questions about the application process, please contact:

• Greta Schen of the Utah Conservation Corps, greta.schen@usu.edu, (435) 220-7222.

One (1) leadership position will be filled and located out of Vernal, Utah at the Ashley NF Supervisors Office (SO). A typical work week will be Monday-Thursday & 10-hour days (7am-5:30pm). Occasional OT (Overtime) may be required. The crew will start and end work at the SO in Vernal each day unless field work requires staying on-site in the field (camping). Government housing may be provided (depending on need) and will be in the form of RV camp trailers at the local RV Park. If the assignment requires camping, a tent/trailer will be provided, unless you bring your own.

This (Lead) Forestry Technician Crewmember performs developmental assignments in support of the Timber program located at the Ashley National Forest, Supervisors office in Vernal, UT. Candidates MUST have basic knowledge of Forestry or related ecological field of study. Candidates MUST have leadership qualities and/or leadership experience! The work is primarily performed in a field environment. Fieldwork often requires moderate to strenuous physical exertion, including walking, hiking, bending, or climbing in rugged terrain under adverse conditions for long periods of time.

The work involves presale duties including:

• Assisting the Timber Crew Foreman in leading the crew. Either together or in the absence of the Timber Crew Foreman, it would be expected that the candidate follows all instructions.
• Leads the crew in performing timber marking, traversing, and basic tree measurements.

Occasional silviculture duties:

• Occasionally requires assisting higher grade specialists with Silviculture work, may need to lead the crew in the absence of the specialist/foreman.
• Common Stand Exam (CSE), KV Exams, & Others.

Assignments are designed to provide training for the timber functions for which the unit is responsible.

Will assist higher-grade specialist in projects of limited difficulty to become familiar with laws, policies, and regulations in the targeted specialized series. Crewmembers receive on-the job training in planning, organizing, and implementing various timber projects on the unit to develop experience in various phases of timber management.

Once Trained (without) close supervision, this Lead Crew Member will: Have knowledge on how to assign or serve as tally person and may operate electronic field data recorders. Assist in the measure of limiting distances, tree diameter using a logger’s tape/Diameter Tape, tree height using a clinometer, estimation of defect and quality, and related fundamental timber cruising procedures. They will also assist higher-grade specialists in performing silviculture work by conducting stand exams in recently harvested areas, areas of past disturbance or future (potential) harvest locations.

Program Benefits

• $18.06/hour along with health care coverage (if needed), workers' compensation, and FICA/Medicare.
• Camping on or near fieldwork sites may be required. Camp trailers/Equipment will be provided when camping is required.

• Valid driver’s license and good driving record. Drive government vehicle as required for position.
• Must successfully pass a fingerprint criminal history background check.
• U.S. citizen, national or lawful permanent resident.
• Work a flexible schedule, including some evenings and weekends (if needed).
• Ability to do arduous work in rugged mountain terrain.
• Regular and reliable attendance and dependability.
• MUST possess leadership qualities! May be called upon to lead the crew.
• Strongly prefer experience in working outdoors.
• Prefer experience identifying tree species and measuring trees.
• Good oral communication skills and ability to write legibly.
• An independent, self-motivated, creative, and resourceful individual, able to work with diverse groups of people. (Works well with others)
• Ability to serve as part of a team And/or assist in leading/lead the team (If required).
• Ability to commit to the full range of service dates.

Application Deadline: April 10, 2023 (or until filled)
Interviews: Will occur as qualified applications are received.
Type of position: Work as a member of Timber Sale Prep-Silviculture Crew on Ashley National Forest
Service Dates Mid-May – Sept-Nov 2023
Length of Term: Up to 6 months (depending upon need)

Along with the online application, please attach:

1. Resume to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV”
2. Contact Information for Professional References
3. Cover Letter to be typed/pasted at the end of your application 

In addition to submitting your online application, please send an email to the contact below to notify of your intent to apply for the position. Write “Ashley Forestry Technician Crewmember” in the subject line of your email.

Trevor Shafer, Forester
trevor.shafer@usda.gov

Ashley National Forest
355 N Vernal Ave
Vernal, UT 84078

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

The position requires considerable physical activity. Employees must have sufficient strength to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position including heavy lifting (50 pounds) and/or pushing and pulling of heavy objects.  Employees must be prepared to assume uncomfortable positions such as crawling, kneeling, and squatting. Additionally, the work environment can include confined or narrow spaces. Employees must adhere to safety precautions and may be required to use protective equipment. 

The Ashley National Forest

The Ashley National Forest encompasses about a million and a half acres in northeastern Utah and southwestern Wyoming. The Forest lies in three geographical areas: the east-west range of the Uinta Mountains, the Green River Basin, and the Tavaputs Plateau. Elevations range from 6,000 feet to 13,528 feet.

Steep canyons, high mountain peaks, glaciated basins, large open meadows, and desert badlands produce a rich diversity of vegetation and wildlife. The grasses and shrubs of the high mountain desert are replaced by pinyon and juniper as the elevation rises. In mid-elevation areas, aspen dominates and becomes mixed with conifer. Higher up, the vegetation changes to conifer forest composed of ponderosa pine, lodgepole pine, fir, and spruce. Wildlife is abundant. Larger species include black bear, mountain lion, moose, elk, mule deer, pronghorn, mountain goats, and bighorn sheep.

Neighboring lands include the Uinta and Ouray Indian Reservation to the south, the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest to the west and north, and a mixture of Bureau of Land Management, State of Utah, and private lands to the east and southeast. Compared with other National Forests, relatively few small tracts of private land lie within the Ashley's boundary.

The High Uintas Wilderness, established by Congress in 1984, comprises nearly one-half million acres in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache and Ashley National Forests. Within the wilderness, elevations range from 8,000 feet to 13,582 feet at the top of Kings Peak, the highest mountain in Utah. The Uinta Mountain range runs east to west, from the Wasatch Mountains into Colorado. Pre-Cambrian rock formed from sediments laid down 600 million years ago makes up the core of the range. Glacial activity carved deep canyons and left a spectacular landscape of rolling, treeless peaks and stratified ridges interspersed with broad meadows and numerous lakes.

The Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area lies in the northeast part of the Forest. Flaming Gorge Reservoir extends almost 90 miles into Wyoming and offers outstanding fishing and boating opportunities. Record-breaking German brown trout and large lake and rainbow trout have been taken from its waters. The Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area has three marinas and many campgrounds, some of which are open year-round.

The Green River below Flaming Gorge Dam is a world-famous blue-ribbon trout stream. The Little Hole National Recreation Trail parallels the river 7.3 miles from the Dam to the Little Hole Recreation Complex.

About Vernal, Utah
Vernal is situated in northeast Utah south of Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area and west of Dinosaur National Monument and is the county seat of Uintah County. Vernal has a population of approximately 10,000 people. When combined with the residents of surrounding communities, the population of the Ashley Valley is approximately 15,000. Vernal is 180 miles east of Salt Lake City and 300 miles west of Denver.
http://www.vernalchamber.com/ http://www.city-data.com/city/Vernal-Utah.html

Climate
Vernal sits at approximately 5,000 feet above sea level. Vernal enjoys four beautiful temperate seasons; the climate is semi-arid with low humidity. Annual precipitation averages 15-20", mostly in the form of winter snow and spring/fall rain. Winter temperatures usually hover in the 20s-30s during the day but will occasionally drop to sub-zero. Mid-summer temperatures can reach 100 degrees, but generally average in the low-mid 90s, dipping into the 50s at night.

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The USU main campus is located in beautiful Logan, Utah, a city of about 50,000 situated in a picturesque mountain valley about 80 miles north of Salt Lake City. Outstanding recreational opportunities abound in the nearby mountains and proximate region.

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*updated 11/2022