WHO WE ARE
The Forest Stewards Guild, a national organization of foresters and allied natural resource professionals, is dedicated to practicing and promoting responsible forestry as a means of sustaining the integrity of forest ecosystems and the human communities dependent upon them. You can learn more about the Forest Stewards Guild at foreststewardsguild.org.

POSITION DESCRIPTION
The Forest Stewards Guild, in partnership with the Penobscot Nation, is hiring a Forest Stewards Apprenticeship (FSA) crew. Apprentices will work alongside Penobscot Nation (PN) forestry staff to complete forest stewardship projects such as boundary line maintenance, pre-sale cruising, forest thinning, and prescribed fire if conditions permit. FSA provides professional certifications, training, and experience to further participants’ future employment opportunities in forestry and natural resources. Apprentices are not required to have any previous experience but must be willing to learn new skills and work effectively as part of a team.

This position normally works four (4) 10-hour days, Monday through Thursday. Occasional travel is required including, if funding allows, travel out of state to participate in prescribed burns and training opportunities. The apprenticeship will last 26 weeks between September and the end of February. Exact program dates are still TBD. The hourly rate for this position is $18.84 per hour.

DUTIES INCLUDE:

• Work as a crew on forest stewardship projects, which may include, but are not limited to:
     o Brushing out, blazing and painting boundary lines
     o Pre-sale timber cruising (i.e., tree identification and basic tree measurements)
     o Pre- commercial thinning treatments and thinning block layout
• Operate a chainsaw and/or brush saw to perform thinning and roadway clearing
• Work outside in steep and uneven terrain, including during inclement weather conditions
• Prescribed fire implementation, as conditions permit
• Prepare and complete weekly activity reports
• Work safely and harmoniously as part of team to achieve Penobscot Nation goals
• Performs other related tasks, as requested

TRAINING PROVIDED

• First Aid + CPR
• Certified Logging Professionals
• National Wildfire Coordinating Group Firefighter Type 2
• Tree Species Identification & Forest Ecology
• Forest Stewardship and Restoration
• Digital Mapping Techniques (e.g., GPS units/Avenza maps)
• Job Readiness Skills (e.g. Resume Building, Job Interviewing)
• Leadership skills
• Chainsaw safety and use

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• High school diploma or equivalent is required
• No previous forestry experience is required but an interest and passion for forestry, conservation, and/or natural/cultural resource management is strongly encouraged
• Willingness to learn new skills related to forest stewardship
• Ability to follow instructions, adapt to changing circumstances, and prioritize safety
• Reliable, self-motivated, and able to work effectively in a team to accomplish tasks
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
• A willingness to work long physical days in the field and hike with heavy loads on steep and uneven terrain, sometimes in inclement weather conditions
• Physically fit and able to lift up to 100lbs

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Knowledge of Northeastern forests and tree identification of common species
• Knowledge of Penobscot Nation’s land holdings
• Ability to use a map, compass, and power tools
• Previous experience with physically demanding outdoor work

LOCATION
This position will report daily to 27 Wabenaki Way Indian Island, ME 04468. Crew Members are expected to provide their own transportation to work every day. Transportation is provided from the duty station to project locations.