Fuels Portal

Overview:

This position will coordinate and enhance the on-going efforts of federal, state and private partners on the Indian Creek Woodland Savanna Restoration Initiative and the National Bobwhite Conservation Initiative (NBCI) Focal Area in South Carolina. Primary funding partners include The U.S. Forest Service Sumter National Forest (USFS), the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Quail Forever (QF). This individual will marshal efforts on the Indian Creek Initiative to coordinate habitat restoration and subsequent Northern bobwhite quail restoration for the area. The primary objective is to sustain and enhance project momentum.

Biologist Responsibilities:

• Work closely with the USFS, DNR, National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), QF local chapters, and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Farm Service Agency (FSA) to conduct landowner outreach and promotion of Farm Bill programs (e.g. CRP, EQIP, SAFE, CSP, etc.) primarily within the Indian Creek priority area.
• Assist USFS and other entities with habitat management planning and implementation on both public and private lands (burn plans, TSI/thinning, timber harvest, timber marking, quail surveys, habitat monitoring, etc.)
• Conduct habitat workshops demonstrating the need for management of our forested ecosystems and the methods that are effective to reach specific management goals (i.e. more diversity, more quail and other wildlife, better forest fuels management, improved aesthetics, etc.)
• Collaborate and serve as a liaison among QF, USFS, DNR, NWTF, FSA, and NRCS concerning the Indian Creek Initiative. Serve on the SC Prescribed Fire Council, SC Quail Council Technical Committee, and the NRCS State Technical Committee.
• Identify, develop, and implement new and innovative habitat initiatives and partnerships that accelerate habitat efforts (e.g. corporate land holders, energy industry, pollinator interests, philanthropic foundations and granting entities, agribusiness etc.) interested in maintaining a vibrant and diverse economy with high quality of life for current and future generations.
• Seek and administer grant and other funding opportunities that help deliver the QF and partner mission priorities. Write grant proposals to leverage funds for additional quail habitat restoration.
• Administer and serve as the local contact for the QF food plot seed and native seed programs.
• Work very closely with the QF Regional Representative and Regional Leadership Team to expand and strengthen QF chapters and provide leadership to chapters on state habitat and outreach initiatives and priorities.
• Work with QF staff and chapters to use the unique QF local fundraising/spending model to develop state and local habitat delivery programs similar to PF/QF’s “Adopt a Wildlife Area” or “Habitat Share” to generate nonfederal matching funds that leverage habitat improvement on State WMA’s and other priority public lands.
• Act as the project manager for current and future USFS agreements within South Carolina, which may include Challenge Cost-Share and/or Stewardship Agreements.

The Conservation Internship Program is designed to provide hands on training and experience to those interested in pursuing employment with land and water resource management agencies, and other outdoor careers. The program is a cooperative effort designed to address community, environmental, and resource management projects.  Through this program, public agencies and community organizations host a Conservation Intern to directly address pressing community resource needs for a three to ten month period.  Northwest Youth Corps supports the partnership by supplying placement, administrative, and training support.

Conservation Interns may work on the following types of projects:

   •      Improve and Restore Public Lands and Waters
   •      Habitat Restoration & Impact Mitigation
   •      Invasive Species Inventory and Treatment
   •      Trail Maintenance and Recreation Infrastructure
   •      Natural Resource Data Collection

The Internship program is an effective way for Federal, State, and Municipal agencies and Non-profit organizations to harness the passion and energy of interested in natural resources.  The program engages the citizen stewards of tomorrow on projects that will help them learn, grow, and gain valuable experience.

Employer: The Davey Tree Expert Company

Location: Northern and Central California (San Luis Obispo, Santa Cruz, Monterey, Santa Clara, San Mateo, Marin, and Napa Counties)

Starting Date: Immediately

What you’ll do:

• Primarily work in high fire risk areas, with work focused on protecting communities from the risk of wildfire.
• Successfully contribute to all aspects of vegetation management planning and analysis.
• Utilize innovative technology and practices to help major utility providers deliver safe and reliable power.
• Inspect and assess utility Rights of Way for vegetation requiring pruning or removal to reduce wildfire risk associated with overhead conductors.
• Inspect and assess vegetation to reduce wildfire risk.
• Work with landowners on fuel reduction and fuel modification.
• Assess terrain, habitat and environmental conditions.
• Coordinate with project managers, planners, and vegetation crews to achieve goals.
• Identify tree and brush control work and protection zone recommendations.
• Assist in problem analysis and development of compliance strategies with limited direct supervision or direction.
• Assist in the development of and conducting of environmental compliance training.
• Coordinate with Project Managers, Planners, and Vegetation Crews to create customized solutions.

Check out this fully online course on Wildland Fire Science and Management offered by Professor Kenn H. Clark via Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.

Responsibilities:

• Follow instructions issued in a timber cruise plan.
• Conduct sample measurements of forest stands to estimate the amount of standing timber.
• Use standard forest measurement tools such as diameter tape, tree calipers, clinometer, angle gauge, prism, compass, and increment borer.
• Determine area of timber resources by traversing harvest unit boundaries and road locations.
• Assess quality and determine defects in timber.
• Complete assigned resource management support tasks within established deadlines.
• Prepare, process, and interpret reports of timber cruise data using a computerized system.
• Apply silvicultural prescriptions and marking guides to designate harvest timber.