UCC Timber Crew Member - Utah State University

Overview:

The Utah Conservation Corps (UCC) in partnership with the Ashley National Forest is hiring UCC Timber Crew Members. This is a (3+ month) full-time professional development and work experience opportunity that runs from approximately end of May through October.

 

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.

 

The Utah Conservation Corps 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.

 

NOTE: Individuals who are selected for these positions will be employed by UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY as non-benefited hourly employees through the Utah Conservation Corps as UCC Timber Crew Members. https://www.usu.edu/policies/397/

 

Apply by: April 8, 2024*
*Application review begins April 8, 2024. Preference will be given to applicants who submit a complete application packet by April 8.

 

Employment Period: Late May to Mid-October* (exact dates determined at time of employment)
*Depending on work access and projects, along with individual availability.

 

Schedule: The position will work four days a week, 10 hours a day for a 40-hour week. 30-minute lunches do not count toward work-day hours. Occasional OT (Overtime) may be required.

 

Position Locations: Vernal, UT

Responsibilities:

The UCC Timber Crew Members will be placed with and work alongside the Forest’s Timber Crew. Crew Members will perform assignments in support of the Timber Program located at the Ashley National Forest, Supervisor’s Office in Vernal, UT. It is preferred (but not required) that candidates have basic knowledge of Forestry or related ecological field of study. Assignments are designed to provide training for the timber functions for which the unit is responsible. Crew Members will 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. This position will be mentored by the Forest Silviculturist & Crew Foreperson.

 

Crew Member duties include the following:

• Assist with timber marking (painting), traversing, and basic tree measurements.
• Assist with Common Stand Exam (CSE), KV Exams, & Others.
• 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.
• Serve as a 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.
• Under close supervision, crew members 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.

 

What this position is NOT:

• Leadership and project management. This is a crew member position and the selected individual(s) will be assisting the Forest Service, and not expected to lead crews, develop, or manage projects.
• A Forest Service position. This position is a Utah State University Hourly employee with the Utah Conservation Corps.
• An AmeriCorps Position.

 

TRAINING / PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

• Tree species identification (required)
• Stand Exam and Timber Cruising techniques, testing, and certification (required).
• First Aid training, evaluation, and certification (required).
• FS vehicle operation (truck) (required)
• Networking and collaboration with professionals in the field.
• USU position-specific training (pending).

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• $16.95/hour (taxable) along with health care coverage (if requested during onboarding process via the requisite ACA form), worker's compensation, and FICA/Medicare. https://www.usu.edu/policies/397/
  
  • USU pay periods run from the 1st-15th and 16th-end of each month.
  • USU pay dates fall on the 10th and 25th of each month (or next business day if holiday or weekend).
  • USU non-benefited hourly employees do not receive holiday pay.
  • There is limited overtime available for this position (4 days’ worth of OT). OT is based on the USU definition of a work week (12:01 a.m. on Saturday and ends at midnight the following Friday). https://www.usu.edu/policies/378/
  • There is per diem available for this position ($35 per day when traveling away from duty station).
    
    • Be prepared: Camping on or near fieldwork sites may be required. Camp Trailers and Equipment MAY be provided when camping is required. You must agree to the FS Terms of Use.

HOUSING:

• Seasonal government housing NOT available in Vernal. Employees must secure their own accommodations/housing near the duty station.
• However, there is a possibility of staying the FS bunkhouse in Duchesne ($185/mo. which employee pays to Forest Service). This is based on availability. If the employee opts to stay at the bunkhouse, they are personally responsible for time and transportation to Vernal before the workday starts.
  *Contact Sam or Kristin ASAP to discuss that option.

 

 

HOW TO APPLY
Research shows that candidates from underrepresented populations often don’t apply for positions if they don’t meet all position qualifications and skillsets. We strongly encourage you to apply if you are interested.

Application Deadline: April 8, 2024*
Interviews: These will occur as qualified applications are received.
Service Dates: Late May - October
Length of Term: Up to 100 workdays

*Application review begins April 8, 2024. Preference will be given to applicants who submit a complete application packet by April 8.

 

The positions will be posted on jobs.usu.edu (https://hr.usu.edu/jobs/). Click 'JOIN US' to search for the position and apply online.

For your application to be reviewed, you MUST submit the following while applying:

1. Resume to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV” 
2. Cover letter to be typed/pasted at the end of your application.
3. Three professional references with both phone and email.

In addition to submitting your online application, please send an email to the contact below to notify them of your intent to apply for the position. Write “UCC Timber Crew Member” in the subject line of your email.

Sam Nielsen, Silviculturist on the Ashley National Forest
samuel.nielsen@usda.gov

 

If you have questions about the UCC Timber Crew Member Position, please contact:
Sam Nielsen, Silviculturist on the Ashley National Forest
samuel.nielsen@usda.gov
435-781-5148

Or

Kristin Smithmyer
Timber Crew Foreperson
kristin.smithmyer@usda.gov

 

If you have questions about the application process, please contact:
Greta Schen of the Utah Conservation Corps, greta.schen@usu.edu, (435) 220-7222.

Qualifications:

Minimum Requirements

 

• Must be 18 years old

• Valid Utah driver’s license to perform essential job responsibilities and a good driving record. Drive government vehicles as required for the position.

• United States citizen, national or lawful permanent resident.

• Utah State University promotes a safe environment for its students and staff. As an employee of Utah State University in a non-security sensitive position, you must submit a Self-Disclosure of Criminal Background. If hired, you agree to conform to University Rules.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

 

• An independent, self-motivated, creative, and resourceful individual able to work with diverse groups of people.

• A cooperative manner and the ability to serve as part of a team, but the ability to work independently.

• Ability to commit to and complete the service dates.

• Regular and reliable attendance and dependability.*

• Strongly prefer experience in working outdoors. *

• Prefer experience with ATVs or UTVs.*

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.*

*Research shows that candidates from underrepresented populations often don't apply for positions if they don't meet all position qualifications and skillsets. We strongly encourage you to apply if you are interested.

Required Documents:

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. Cover letter to be typed/pasted at the end of your application.
3. Three professional references with both phone and email.

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

Advertised Salary:$16.95 per hourADA:

This position requires considerable physical activity.  Employees must have sufficient strength to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position including heavy lifting (up to 75 lbs.) and/or pushing and pulling of heavy objects. Employees must be prepared to assume uncomfortable positions, such as crawling, kneeling, and squatting.  Employees work outside and will not be protected from weather conditions, including extreme cold and extreme heat for extended periods.   

College/Department Highlights:

About the Utah Conservation Corps
The Utah Conservation Corps (UCC) is an AmeriCorps program dedicated to developing the conservation leaders of tomorrow. We’re a non-residential AmeriCorps program composed of AmeriCorps members, non-AmeriCorps hourly employees, staff, and partners dedicated to service to our community, the environment, and regions requiring disaster response efforts.

Additionally, as an organization, we seek to provide a more welcoming environment for people of all backgrounds and experience levels to ensure a healthy, vibrant, innovative, and sustainable corps. The UCC is committed to an inclusive culture of community and service and to recognizing and addressing our shortcomings. Our goal is to help our members become the conservation leaders of tomorrow.

 

Diversity Statement
Utah Conservation Corps is an equal opportunity program. Qualified applications will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran, or disabled status. UCC is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for application and service with our programs.

 

UCC’s Zero Tolerance Policies
The following behaviors will result in immediate termination. At no time may the UCC AmeriCorps member:

• Engage in activities that pose a significant safety risk to others or physically or emotionally damage members of the program or community, such as harassment, hostile work environment, or bullying;
• Possess, consume, or be under the influence of illegal drugs or alcohol during the performance of service activities or while living and working at the UCC project site, campsite, or in UCC vehicles (which includes showing up to work hungover); and
• Fail to notify the UCC of a criminal arrest or conviction during their term of service.

 

Land Acknowledgement Statement
As part of Utah State University, a land grant-institution, UCC acknowledges Utah State University campuses and centers reside and operate on the territories of the eight tribes of Utah, who have been living, working, and residing on this land from time immemorial. These tribes are the Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Indians, Navajo Nation, Ute Indian Tribe, Northwestern Band of Shoshone, Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah, San Juan Southern Paiute, Skull Valley Band of Goshute, and White Mesa Band of the Ute Mountain Ute. Along with USU, we acknowledge these lands carry the stories of these Nations and their struggles for survival and identity. We recognize Elders past and present as peoples who have cared for, and continue to care for, the land. In offering this land acknowledgment, we affirm Indigenous self-governance history, experiences, and resiliency of the Native people who are still here today.
We acknowledge Utah State University Uintah Basin resides on the traditional and ancestral homeland of the Ute Indian Tribe. We recognize the enduring relationship that exists between the three bands of Utes that comprise the Ute Indian Tribe: the Whiteriver, Uncompahgre, and Uintah. We respect the sovereign relationship with and confirm our commitment to a partnership with the Ute Indian Tribe and their community through research, education, and community outreach activities. In offering this land acknowledgment, we affirm Indigenous sovereignty, history, and experiences.

 

The Ashley National Forest
http://www.fs.fed.us/r4/ashley/

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 has a population of approximately 8,000 people and the surrounding Uintah Basin population is approximately 20,000 according to 2000 census bureau data. The Uintah Basin is greatly influenced by the oil and gas industry, which is in the middle of a job boom, so the population numbers have noticeably increased over the past 6 years. Vernal is situated in northeast Utah about 35 minutes from the Colorado border (and Dinosaur National Monument) and 1.5 hours south of the Wyoming border. Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area on the Ashley National Forest is a neighboring district that is a good reference point for locating the area since it is easily discernable on most maps. Vernal is approximately 2 hours from ski resorts such as Park City, UT, and Steamboat Springs, CO; and approximately 3-3.5 hours from cities along the Wasatch front like Salt Lake City and Provo, UT. The Vernal area has year-round recreation throughout the Uintah Mountains and Uintah Basin including fishing, hiking, mountain biking, whitewater rafting, motorized and non-motorized boating, camping, hunting, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and more. Vernal City has recreation leagues for sports such as basketball, softball, volleyball, tennis, soccer, and other activities like yoga and table tennis. For more information go to: http://www.vernalchamber.com/

 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination on all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

University Highlights:

Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s premier land-grant, public service university, with a strong commitment to excellence, access, and inclusion, empowering people to lead successful lives of involvement, innovation, and impact. Utah State provides high-quality education to 27,500-plus students locations throughout the state, including at three residential campuses, eight statewide campuses, and 23 education centers. USU Online educates students from all 50 states and 55 countries. For over 25 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns in all of Utah’s counties. As an R1 research institution, Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge through research and scholarly activities, providing a high-quality undergraduate and graduate education at an affordable price.

 

Utah State is committed to cultivating a community of inclusive excellence where all perspectives, values, cultures, and identities are acknowledged, welcomed, and valued. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Forbes recognized our commitment to employees when they named Utah State the best employer in Utah in 2023. Learn more about USU. 

 

The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Programto support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university’s ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at (435) 797-0122 or hr@usu.edu. 

 

About the Region

U.S. News and World Report ranked Utah first for its strong economy, fiscal stability, education, and health care. Outstanding outdoor recreational opportunities abound throughout the state, including five national parks, 43 state parks and recreation areas, and 15 alpine ski resorts. The home of USU’s main campus, Logan, is a city of 54,000-plus people in a picturesque mountain valley 80 miles north of Salt Lake City. The Logan metro area claimed the top spot in the Milken Institute’s 2022 ranking for best-performing small cities in the nation. 

 

*updated 04/2024

Notice of Non-discrimination:

In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:

 

Executive Director of the Office of Equity Matthew Pinner, discrimination@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 401, 435-797-1266

Title IX Coordinator Cody Carmichael, titleix@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 404, 435-797-1266

Mailing address: 5100 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit https://equity.usu.edu/, or contact:

U.S. Department of Education, Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 800-421-3481, OCR@ed.gov

*updated 09/2023