American Conservation Experience
Harvest Inspector Trainee - Tahoe National Forest
American Conservation Experience, Nevada City, California, United States, 95959
Harvest Inspector Trainee - Tahoe National Forest, Yuba River Ranger District
American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the US Forest Service, is seeking 1 Harvest Inspector Trainee to contribute to timber resource management projects alongside Tahoe National Forest Staff.
For more information about ACE, please visit our website.
Start Date:
May 18, 2025 *flexible start date*
Estimated End Date:
Fall 2026
*a 16-week minimum commitment is required *
Location Details/Description:
Yuba River Ranger District (Nevada City, California)
The Tahoe National Forest is located in the northern Sierra Nevada (east of Sacramento) and extends from the foothills across the Sierra crest to the California state line. It includes over 850,000 acres of public land interspersed with 350,000 acres of private land in a checkerboard ownership pattern. Rivers, snow‑capped peaks and dense forests offer outstanding recreation year‑round. A complex set of ecosystems are found as the terrain ascends from 1,500 feet along the western boundary to over 9,000 feet along the crest. The forest provides a variety of resources and opportunities and is managed by the Forest Service.
The Yuba River Ranger District offices are located in Camptonville, CA and Nevada City, CA. Many employees live in the Nevada City/Grass Valley area (population 20,000) located 25 miles south of Camptonville. Nevada City is a vibrant town alongside Grass Valley, CA with excellent access to trails, ski resorts, and world‑class rafting and swimming holes. The Sacramento metro area is within an hour's drive for urban amenities.
For more information about the Yuba River Ranger District, please visit the Tahoe National Forest website.
Position Overview The ACE Member will work independently or as a part of a small crew performing a variety of harvest inspector (HI) or timber sale preparation (TSP) duties that include— but are not limited to— timber harvest contract inspection (80%), timber marking (5%), timber cruising (5%), and sale layout (5%) of both ground and aerial systems as part of the forest health partnership. Office work, meetings, and training (5%).
Field work often requires moderate to strenuous physical exertion, including walking, bending, and climbing under adverse conditions for long periods of time. Potential risk of falls due to uneven terrain, risk of insect bites, contact with poisonous plants, etc. Duties will be conducted during conditions such as rain, snow, wind, dust, extreme heat and cold. Hardhat, gloves, and other safety equipment are provided.
This individual placement is designed to foster professional growth by providing practical experience in land management principles and techniques. The internship will offer opportunities to develop key skills, including learning methods and criteria for inspecting timber harvesting contracts, conducting project layout and timber cruising, and stand exams, developing record keeping and organization skills for data/information corresponding to assigned projects while working independently or with district sale administration and timber staff. Furthermore, this placement facilitates valuable networking opportunities with professionals in land management agencies, including shadowing Forest Service and partner (SPI and NFF) work groups to gain exposure to various conservation fields such as fuels reduction, hydrology, forestry, wildlife management, range and botanical management, and environmental education. Planning, decisions, and judgments made in this position affect long‑term timber management activities, other resources, and the forest health agreement/contract. Accuracy of the work affects the quality of residual resource values such as timber stands, visual quality, water quality, and all resources related to timber harvest.
Harvest Inspector Objectives
General understanding of how timber sale operations function.
Reading and understanding of timber sale contracts.
Actively engaging with logging contractors and operators.
Communicating with district sale admin staff and reporting on the ground information through daily reports.
Identifying work that does not align with contract objectives. For example, resource damage.
Traveling safely through active operation areas.
Timber Sale Prep Objectives
As a part of the timber sale prep crew applies silvicultural prescriptions and marking guides to designate timber for harvest.
Under the supervision of a certified timber cruiser and applies the instructions issued in a cruise plan. Takes and records tree measurements, assesses quality, and determines defect. Prepares cruise data for processing.
Observes and reports areas of possible archaeological significance, and sightings of sensitive, threatened or endangered plant or wildlife species.
GPS’s harvest unit boundaries and determines site area.
Schedule Monday - Thursday, ~7:00am-5:30pm. Occasional Fridays, if necessary.
Position Benefits Living Allowance:
The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $895/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi‑weekly.
Public Land Corps Hiring Authority Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a federal hiring authority upon completion of their term of service and 640 hours of service. If the duration of a PLC‑eligible term is not long enough for Members to accrue 640 hours of service (~16 weeks), the total hours served at the completion of the term may be eligible to be combined with hours accrued from another PLC‑eligible term to meet the 640 hours requirement. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age (You must be between the ages of 16 and 30. Some agencies also interpret these guidelines to include veterans up to age 35) and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general eligibility information on our website.
Housing Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE. However, housing may be available at a daily bunk rate of approximately $7‑20 per day by the Forest. Barracks housing provided by the Forest is typically located 30‑45 minutes from the daily reporting location and are typically in remote locations with limited connectivity. A Housing Allowance of up to $280/week will be available. Local candidates are encouraged to apply.
Gear Allowance New ACE members will have up to $500 to spend on eligible gear purchases, and returning members or FS employees will have up to $250. Eligible gear for this position may include boots, work pants, hiking socks, and must be approved by ACE and Forest Service staff prior to purchase.
Provided Training/Orientation ACE members will receive position specific training and an orientation outlining ACE policies and procedures, clear guidance on prohibited activities, and networks for support. Specific training may include timber cruising, chainsaw training, Wilderness First Aid, forest health insect and disease training. ACE members will have up to $500 to spend on eligible training/professional development opportunities, which must be approved by ACE and Forest Service staff prior to purchase.
Qualifications ACE values an inclusive workforce - if you meet at least 70 percent of the qualifications, we want to hear from you!
Required
Members must be authorized to work in the United States. ACE does not provide sponsorship for employment visas.
Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.
Ability to be both self‑directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group.
A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
Members must be 21+ to drive due to ACE's insurance and liability requirements.
Willing to undergo and must pass the required criminal history checks.
Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
ACE Members will need to complete bi‑weekly timesheets, beginning of term feedback forms, end of term evaluations and for longer terms, a mid‑term evaluation.
Member may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.
To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website located on our Indeed homepage.
Preferred
Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing any degree in Natural Resources, Forestry, Environmental Science, Biology, etc. And/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as Forestry, Natural Resources, Environmental Science, Biology, etc.
Responsible for establishing accomplishment priorities, distributing the workload among employees, and reporting on the progress of work.
Working knowledge of forest practices and techniques, including application of silvicultural prescriptions, GPS, maps, environmental analysis reports, and like guides in order to independently select harvest timber in a variety of stand conditions.
Working knowledge of measuring tree diameters and heights, map reading, compass use, tree species identification, obvious defect recognition and determination, GPS‑ing, and the use of tools associated with timber cruising.
Knowledge of regularly used timber cruise computer programs for data collection.
Knowledge of other resource areas, such as wildlife management or archaeology, in order to recognize situations which require specific protection measures.
The work is performed primarily in a field environment. Field work often requires moderate to strenuous physical exertion, including walking, bending, and climbing under adverse conditions for long periods of time.
Work in the forest environment involves considerable risk of falls due to uneven terrain, risk of insect bites, contact with poisonous plants, etc. Work is conducted during conditions such as rain, snow, wind, dust, extreme heat and cold - hardhat, boots, gloves, eye protection, and possibly other safety equipment are required.
Proven leadership experience, especially in regards to safety and conflict resolution.
Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions
Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, hiking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talking and hearing. Manual dexterity required for use of various tools, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Ability to hike over rough terrain, and camp overnight under field conditions.
Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 20 lbs., ability to move up to 50 pounds.
Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates. If indoors, office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled.
Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise such as gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools. Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
Travel: Applicants should be prepared to spend a moderate amount of time driving to and from work sites. Average amount of time 1‑2 hours one way.
Environmental Conditions/Hazards The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland conditions, biting insects, and potentially dangerous wildlife. The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/members or resources. Hazards include bees/stinging insects, beetle‑killed and/or fire‑killed trees.
Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety If a vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties, one will be provided by the Forest Service or ACE. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the Forest Service. ACE members may, if they possess or obtain certification and training required by the State of California and the U.S. Forest service, operate a gas or electric powered chainsaw to remove dead and downed trees obstructing work areas as permitted by their qualifications and comfort. Members may be asked to remove dead or downed trees or limbs from work areas using a non‑powered saw. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the Forest Service, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to Forest Service and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required.
To Apply Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience, and contact information for three professional/academic references to ACE's online application page for this position on our website. Early consideration will be given as applications are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact Tahoe Project Director, Al Richert, arichert@usaconservation.org.
EEO ACE participates in E‑Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I‑9 information when you are hired to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
For more information about ACE, please visit our website.
Start Date:
May 18, 2025 *flexible start date*
Estimated End Date:
Fall 2026
*a 16-week minimum commitment is required *
Location Details/Description:
Yuba River Ranger District (Nevada City, California)
The Tahoe National Forest is located in the northern Sierra Nevada (east of Sacramento) and extends from the foothills across the Sierra crest to the California state line. It includes over 850,000 acres of public land interspersed with 350,000 acres of private land in a checkerboard ownership pattern. Rivers, snow‑capped peaks and dense forests offer outstanding recreation year‑round. A complex set of ecosystems are found as the terrain ascends from 1,500 feet along the western boundary to over 9,000 feet along the crest. The forest provides a variety of resources and opportunities and is managed by the Forest Service.
The Yuba River Ranger District offices are located in Camptonville, CA and Nevada City, CA. Many employees live in the Nevada City/Grass Valley area (population 20,000) located 25 miles south of Camptonville. Nevada City is a vibrant town alongside Grass Valley, CA with excellent access to trails, ski resorts, and world‑class rafting and swimming holes. The Sacramento metro area is within an hour's drive for urban amenities.
For more information about the Yuba River Ranger District, please visit the Tahoe National Forest website.
Position Overview The ACE Member will work independently or as a part of a small crew performing a variety of harvest inspector (HI) or timber sale preparation (TSP) duties that include— but are not limited to— timber harvest contract inspection (80%), timber marking (5%), timber cruising (5%), and sale layout (5%) of both ground and aerial systems as part of the forest health partnership. Office work, meetings, and training (5%).
Field work often requires moderate to strenuous physical exertion, including walking, bending, and climbing under adverse conditions for long periods of time. Potential risk of falls due to uneven terrain, risk of insect bites, contact with poisonous plants, etc. Duties will be conducted during conditions such as rain, snow, wind, dust, extreme heat and cold. Hardhat, gloves, and other safety equipment are provided.
This individual placement is designed to foster professional growth by providing practical experience in land management principles and techniques. The internship will offer opportunities to develop key skills, including learning methods and criteria for inspecting timber harvesting contracts, conducting project layout and timber cruising, and stand exams, developing record keeping and organization skills for data/information corresponding to assigned projects while working independently or with district sale administration and timber staff. Furthermore, this placement facilitates valuable networking opportunities with professionals in land management agencies, including shadowing Forest Service and partner (SPI and NFF) work groups to gain exposure to various conservation fields such as fuels reduction, hydrology, forestry, wildlife management, range and botanical management, and environmental education. Planning, decisions, and judgments made in this position affect long‑term timber management activities, other resources, and the forest health agreement/contract. Accuracy of the work affects the quality of residual resource values such as timber stands, visual quality, water quality, and all resources related to timber harvest.
Harvest Inspector Objectives
General understanding of how timber sale operations function.
Reading and understanding of timber sale contracts.
Actively engaging with logging contractors and operators.
Communicating with district sale admin staff and reporting on the ground information through daily reports.
Identifying work that does not align with contract objectives. For example, resource damage.
Traveling safely through active operation areas.
Timber Sale Prep Objectives
As a part of the timber sale prep crew applies silvicultural prescriptions and marking guides to designate timber for harvest.
Under the supervision of a certified timber cruiser and applies the instructions issued in a cruise plan. Takes and records tree measurements, assesses quality, and determines defect. Prepares cruise data for processing.
Observes and reports areas of possible archaeological significance, and sightings of sensitive, threatened or endangered plant or wildlife species.
GPS’s harvest unit boundaries and determines site area.
Schedule Monday - Thursday, ~7:00am-5:30pm. Occasional Fridays, if necessary.
Position Benefits Living Allowance:
The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $895/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi‑weekly.
Public Land Corps Hiring Authority Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a federal hiring authority upon completion of their term of service and 640 hours of service. If the duration of a PLC‑eligible term is not long enough for Members to accrue 640 hours of service (~16 weeks), the total hours served at the completion of the term may be eligible to be combined with hours accrued from another PLC‑eligible term to meet the 640 hours requirement. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age (You must be between the ages of 16 and 30. Some agencies also interpret these guidelines to include veterans up to age 35) and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general eligibility information on our website.
Housing Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE. However, housing may be available at a daily bunk rate of approximately $7‑20 per day by the Forest. Barracks housing provided by the Forest is typically located 30‑45 minutes from the daily reporting location and are typically in remote locations with limited connectivity. A Housing Allowance of up to $280/week will be available. Local candidates are encouraged to apply.
Gear Allowance New ACE members will have up to $500 to spend on eligible gear purchases, and returning members or FS employees will have up to $250. Eligible gear for this position may include boots, work pants, hiking socks, and must be approved by ACE and Forest Service staff prior to purchase.
Provided Training/Orientation ACE members will receive position specific training and an orientation outlining ACE policies and procedures, clear guidance on prohibited activities, and networks for support. Specific training may include timber cruising, chainsaw training, Wilderness First Aid, forest health insect and disease training. ACE members will have up to $500 to spend on eligible training/professional development opportunities, which must be approved by ACE and Forest Service staff prior to purchase.
Qualifications ACE values an inclusive workforce - if you meet at least 70 percent of the qualifications, we want to hear from you!
Required
Members must be authorized to work in the United States. ACE does not provide sponsorship for employment visas.
Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.
Ability to be both self‑directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group.
A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
Members must be 21+ to drive due to ACE's insurance and liability requirements.
Willing to undergo and must pass the required criminal history checks.
Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
ACE Members will need to complete bi‑weekly timesheets, beginning of term feedback forms, end of term evaluations and for longer terms, a mid‑term evaluation.
Member may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.
To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website located on our Indeed homepage.
Preferred
Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing any degree in Natural Resources, Forestry, Environmental Science, Biology, etc. And/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as Forestry, Natural Resources, Environmental Science, Biology, etc.
Responsible for establishing accomplishment priorities, distributing the workload among employees, and reporting on the progress of work.
Working knowledge of forest practices and techniques, including application of silvicultural prescriptions, GPS, maps, environmental analysis reports, and like guides in order to independently select harvest timber in a variety of stand conditions.
Working knowledge of measuring tree diameters and heights, map reading, compass use, tree species identification, obvious defect recognition and determination, GPS‑ing, and the use of tools associated with timber cruising.
Knowledge of regularly used timber cruise computer programs for data collection.
Knowledge of other resource areas, such as wildlife management or archaeology, in order to recognize situations which require specific protection measures.
The work is performed primarily in a field environment. Field work often requires moderate to strenuous physical exertion, including walking, bending, and climbing under adverse conditions for long periods of time.
Work in the forest environment involves considerable risk of falls due to uneven terrain, risk of insect bites, contact with poisonous plants, etc. Work is conducted during conditions such as rain, snow, wind, dust, extreme heat and cold - hardhat, boots, gloves, eye protection, and possibly other safety equipment are required.
Proven leadership experience, especially in regards to safety and conflict resolution.
Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions
Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, hiking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talking and hearing. Manual dexterity required for use of various tools, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Ability to hike over rough terrain, and camp overnight under field conditions.
Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 20 lbs., ability to move up to 50 pounds.
Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates. If indoors, office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled.
Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise such as gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools. Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
Travel: Applicants should be prepared to spend a moderate amount of time driving to and from work sites. Average amount of time 1‑2 hours one way.
Environmental Conditions/Hazards The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland conditions, biting insects, and potentially dangerous wildlife. The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/members or resources. Hazards include bees/stinging insects, beetle‑killed and/or fire‑killed trees.
Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety If a vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties, one will be provided by the Forest Service or ACE. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the Forest Service. ACE members may, if they possess or obtain certification and training required by the State of California and the U.S. Forest service, operate a gas or electric powered chainsaw to remove dead and downed trees obstructing work areas as permitted by their qualifications and comfort. Members may be asked to remove dead or downed trees or limbs from work areas using a non‑powered saw. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the Forest Service, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to Forest Service and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required.
To Apply Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience, and contact information for three professional/academic references to ACE's online application page for this position on our website. Early consideration will be given as applications are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact Tahoe Project Director, Al Richert, arichert@usaconservation.org.
EEO ACE participates in E‑Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I‑9 information when you are hired to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.
#J-18808-Ljbffr