Wilderness Stewardship Specialist -FT – Taylorsville

Overview

The Sierra Institute for Community and Environment (Sierra Institute) is looking for a
Wilderness Stewardship Specialist to coordinate, support, and work alongside wilderness
field crews. The position will work closely with National Park Service and US Forest Service
staff to support the success of a wilderness fuels module working in wilderness areas within
Lassen Volcanic National Park and a wilderness trail crew working Ishi Wilderness on the
Lassen National Forest. During the field season, this position would be expected to work
primarily in the field, with office days interspersed as needed. This is an exciting opportunity
to support innovative stewardship in some of our wildest places!

The Wilderness Stewardship Specialist reports to the Stewardship Project Manager and may
assist in the supervision of up to 14 seasonal staff members. The position requires an
individual with the technical knowledge to advise crews, leadership skills to motivate, and a
collaborative spirit to work effectively with Sierra Institute staff and partners. Applications
will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Position is open until filled.

The selected applicant will have the opportunity to grow and develop as a Wilderness
Stewardship Specialist under the guidance of, and with support from, an existing
management team with extensive experience and training in natural resource management
as well as restoration crew deployment and management.

This position will be responsible for supporting field crew operations – before, during, and
after the field season. Job duties include but are not limited to: scouting and planning for
projects; seasonal staff recruitment and hiring; maintaining tools, field supplies, and vehicles;
providing and/or coordinating crew trainings; overseeing day to day operations of field crews;
ensuring crews meet production rates; quality control; staff performance evaluations; tracking
project accomplishments and data collection; assisting in the development and
implementation of seasonal staff policies and procedures; and engaging in other field crew
support needs as identified.

Once established, the Specialist will be expected to work with the Stewardship Project
Manager to identify and develop additional opportunities that increase the pace and scale of
landscape restoration, with a particular emphasis on expanding Sierra Institute’s
implementation workforce.

This position collaborates with other Sierra Institute staff including; the P-CREW Youth Corps
Coordinator to provide opportunities for youth to work alongside professional crews; and
other staff to support training, forest health, fire management, and developed recreation
projects.

This position works primarily outdoors alongside wilderness crews during the field season
with some office days for administrative work. While in the field, the Wilderness Stewardship
Specialist will be expected to work alongside crews and stay overnight at project sites
(oftentimes in the backcountry). Outside of the field season this position will work
predominantly from the office with sporadic field work to assess project sites or attend
meetings. During the field season, work will fall primarily within the hours of 7:00 AM and
6:00 PM Monday-Thursday, though the field season work schedule will require flexibility to
accommodate supporting crews, field work and other needs. An alternate schedule may be
adopted during the off season upon mutual agreement.

Qualifications
● Experience leading and coordinating field crews such as fuels management and trails;
or comparable work or professional education experience;
● Strong ability and willingness to mentor staff and manage crew dynamics;
● Ability to create a culture of safety, feedback, and continuous improvement within
crews;
● Ability to live and work in wilderness backcountry settings;
● Experience with hand and power tool use and maintenance (chainsaws, crosscut
saws, brush cutters, loppers, axes, mc leods, and other hand tools);
● Ability to lead and/or coordinate training (safety, tool use/maintenance, field skills,
leadership/crew dynamics, working in the backcountry, Leave No Trace);
● Ability to manage tool and gear maintenance, organization and procurement;
● Proficiency in mapping/navigation and satellite communication systems;
● Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate with federal, state, and other
partners;
● Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel);
● Basic understanding of land management policies, and natural resource issues such
as climate change, wildfire, forestry, wilderness stewardship, recreation
impact/conflict, and ecological restoration;
● Interest in reimagining and developing the ecosystem restoration workforce of the
future;
● A willingness to work and live in a rural, mountainous area that receives snow and ice
in winter;
● Team-oriented and self-motivated;
● An ability to bring critical thinking skills, creativity, and laughter to the workplace;
● A personal vehicle for transportation outside of work;
The following qualifications are not required but preferred:
● Current Wilderness First Aid or higher, however training may be provided;
● Experience with workforce development;
● Experience using ESRI ArcGIS or other geospatial platforms.
Candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Skills or experiences that can fill
in for desired qualifications may be considered.

Compensation: Salary will be $46,000 to $57,000 commensurate with experience. Sierra
Institute offers a competitive benefits package. Staff housing may be available.

EOE

https://sierrainstitute.us/new/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Position-Description_Wilderness-Stewardship-Specialist_2023_FINAL.docx.pdf

Current Wilderness First Aid, ESRI ArcGIS or other geospatial platforms

Minimum Education and Experience