Forest Health Seasonal Forestry Technician

About Whitebark Institute  

Whitebark Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to addressing environmental challenges and fostering resilient communities in California’s Eastern Sierra. Our work prioritizes landscape and community adaptation to climate change, particularly wildfire risk reduction. We play a key role in advancing the region’s wildfire resilience efforts in communities throughout the Eastern Sierra by bringing together local scientists, environmental planners, government agencies, educators, communities, and businesses to collaboratively develop, plan, finance, and restore healthy landscapes in Inyo, Mono, and Alpine Counties.  

Whitebark Institute makes an impact in our communities and provides a great place to work. We are a small, growing organization with a skilled staff that brings experience from a multitude of scientific disciplines and applied areas of expertise. With an indescribable passion for the Eastern Sierra, Whitebark is made up of talented outdoor enthusiasts and working professionals who care deeply about where we work and live. Collaboration is one of our core values, and we recognize that a healthy work-life balance is essential to our long-term success.  

 About the Position  

The Forest Health Seasonal Forestry Technician will assist Whitebark’s Forest Health program to complete field and office tasks, largely related to forestry, to accomplish our program of work in 2026. Duties include all relevant work associated with monitoring, contract administration, preparation, and planning of forest health and fuels reduction projects. This will include various types of data collection, contract inspections, unit layout, timber designation, survey work, and other duties assigned.  

Forestry technicians are expected to work individually as well as in a collaborative team to achieve assigned tasks. This will require good inter-personnel communication, including coordination with outside partners such as the Inyo National Forest and the Town of Mammoth Lakes to meet project needs and deadlines. The use of forestry specific tools and related data collection software programs including ArcGIS Online, Survey123, GPS devices, and tablets to record spatial and tabular data will be required to successfully execute this position.  

This position requires a self-directed, highly organized professional who excels in collaborative and team environments. The ideal candidate will be proactive and have an interest in natural resource management, data collection, project planning, and forestry implementation. The Forest Health Seasonal Forestry Technician is a seasonal field-going position with an anticipated season of 5 – 7 months pending conditions. 

Duties  

The Forestry Technician will perform a wide variety of work to support the Forest Health program and initiatives within Whitebark Institute, including but not limited to: 

Project Preparation and Planning (40%) 

• Delineation, flagging, painting, and spatial recording of unit boundaries. 

• Designation of timber by marking individual trees for removal or retention. 

• Assessment of timber volume utilizing the USFS’s Region 5 standards.  

• Spatial delineation of infrastructure, control areas, and other implementation related requirements.  

Contract Administration (30%) 

• Inspection of completed and ongoing forestry work to determine compliance with contracts. 

• Natural resource specialist surveys to allow operations to commence (may include wildlife nesting bird surveys, and/or botanical surveys)  

• Post-operations contract area rehabilitation (removing flagging, painting over boundary trees, removing signage, etc.) 

Environmental Planning  (up to 20%): 

• Forestry data collection for common stand exams. 

• Botanical surveys. 

• Wildlife Surveys. 

• Other natural resource surveys as needed. 

Monitoring  (10%) 

• Pre and post fuels treatment photo monitoring plots.  

• Fixed and variable plot monitoring data collection related to fuels treatments. 

Miscellaneous/ Other Potential Duties 

• Work as needed with other Whitebark or partnering organization’s staff to accomplish tasks in a timely manner. 

• Utilize a variety of spatial mapping and information gathering technology including but not limited to: ArcGIS Pro, Survey123, ArcGIS Field Maps, FSCruiser, Exams Mobile, Microsoft Excel, and TwoTrails. 

• Utilize a variety of forestry specific tools and general data collection devices such as a wedge prism, relaskop, diameter tape, increment borer, range finder, clinometer, and compass.  

Desired Candidate Qualifications: 

Required:  

• Bachelor’s degree in natural resources or one year of prior experience working in environmental planning, forestry, natural resources, or related fields.  

• Physical ability to safely navigate steep, complex mountain terrain while timber harvesting operations are underway, carrying necessary field equipment between 2 and 10 miles per day with up to 30lbs of equipment.  

• Ability to work independently, manage time effectively, well organized, self-starter, detail-oriented, and adaptable with the ability to manage both routine and complex time-sensitive tasks simultaneously.  

• Dedication to effective collaboration across various teams and partners.  

• Competence in Microsoft suite of tools.  

• Strong writing and verbal communication skills.  

• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.  

• Ability to organize, collect, enter, and analyze field data.  

Preferred:  

• Specialized training and/or experience in forestry operations and project management. 

• Resource specific knowledge and expertise in botany, wildlife biology, hydrology, archaeology, and/or air quality and greenhouse gas emissions. Specialized training or experience in forest management or botany preferred.  

• Experience working in a field-based setting in support of forestry operations or other aspects of natural resource management.  

• Experience with ESRI applications (ArcGIS Pro, Field Maps, Survey123, ArcGIS Online, etc.), 

• Experience with US Forest Service forestry programs (FS Cruiser, TwoTrails, Exams Mobile) 

• Experience driving on unpaved roads and off-road trails. 

Work Environment  

This position primarily involves fieldwork; however, some office work may be required. Regular travel is required to visit field sites, participate in trainings, and collaborate with partners across the Eastern Sierra—often in remote locations. As such, a valid driver’s license, clean driving record, and personal vehicle insurance are required. Typical work weeks are Mon-Fri, four 10-hour days, or five 8-hour days. Hybrid remote work is acceptable when not performing field work.  

Reporting Structure  

This role is part of the Whitebark Forest Health team and reports to a Forest Health Project Manager. There may be instances where the employee is asked to report or receive direction from other Whitebark or partnering organization employees, depending on the project and the program overseeing the effort.  

Compensation & Benefits  

This is a seasonal position with an anticipated field season extending five to seven months, generally between early May and mid-November. However, season length is determined by field conditions and the program of work. This is an hourly position with a competitive hourly rate of $24 – $28 per hour depending on experience and academic background. Housing may be available.  

Benefits include:  

• Paid Time Off: Federally recognized Holidays (except Veterans Day) and paid sick leave.  

How to Apply  

To apply, email a resume, at least two professional references, and cover letter to administrator@whitebarkinstitute.org with the subject line: “Forest Health Seasonal Forestry Technician: [Your Name]”. Position will remain open until filled, and applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the ideal candidate is identified. The first round of application evaluations will begin February 23, 2026.  Please submit your application by the end of day on February 20, 2026 to be considered in the first round.