FORESTRY TECHNICIAN – CREW LEADSalmon Valley Stewardship (SVS) is seeking a responsible individual with crew leadership skills and  experience in tree identification and remote fieldwork to lead a small seasonal crew performing a variety of reforestation-related field work in partnership with the Salmon-Challis National Forest in 
the rugged and beautiful mountains and valleys of East-Central Idaho.

Location: Salmon, Idaho
Classification: Seasonal, full time (40 hr/wk)
Pay and benefits: $19-22 hourly, DOE; paid federal holidays, not eligible for paid leave or health care benefits
Position duration: April – mid-October, 2026; start date slightly flexible; possible extension into late fall or winter dependent on weather, project needs, funding

About us: 
Since 2004, Salmon Valley Stewardship (SVS) has promoted a sustainable economy and productive working lands in the Salmon River Region of Central Idaho. Our vision is that of a community where stewardship of our natural resources is at the core of the social, economic, and ecological vitality of the region. Since 2007, SVS has partnered with the USFS, BLM, state agencies, local entities, and nonprofit organizations to work collaboratively on vegetation stewardship, monitoring, and restoration. 

Our seasonal crews are a critical and productive component of this collaborative work, professionally collecting data that managers need to adaptively promote higher biodiversity, protect wildlife habitat, and increase ecosystem resilience. 

Position Summary:
The Crew Lead will lead a small crew of 2-3 other Forestry Technicians and will coordinate with Forest Service Partners and SVS Project Managers. The Forestry crew will focus primarily on conducting post-fire natural regeneration surveys, with the possibility of assisting with planting unit layout, thinning unit layout, pre- and post-prescribed fire monitoring. Other possible project work includes cone surveys, cone collection, whitebark pine surveys and other forestry related projects as needed. The majority of field work will be performing surveys to determine post wildfire stand conditions, identifying timber types, ground vegetation, insect and disease damage, etc. Other time will be spent entering and checking data or helping with other SVS natural resource program activities. The start and end dates for this position are dependent upon site access/weather conditions and the availability of the selected candidates. The field season will begin with 1 or 2 weeks of training with our Forest Service partners, and then SVS Forestry Technicians will be assigned field work locations and expected for the most part to work independently in the field

Primary Responsibilities:

• Work professionally to conduct detail-oriented, outdoor work
• Lead Forestry crewmembers on all day-to-day tasks
• Coordinate and communicate clearly and effectively with SVS Staff and our Salmon-Challis National Forest Service partners
• Conduct post-fire regeneration surveys independently or with the crew
• Data Entry associated with regeneration surveys – both electronically and by hand
• Conduct Pre and Post Prescribed Fire Monitoring plots.
• Safely travel by 4x4 vehicle and on foot (up to 10 miles/day) to plots using digital mapping apps and GPS in steep and variable terrain while carrying field equipment.

Minimum Qualifications
• Several years of relevant experience and/or a degree in Forestry or related natural resource management
• Demonstrated ability to perform detail-oriented work in challenging outdoor conditions
• Tree Identification Skills
• Demonstrated Leadership and Communication Skills

Preferred Qualifications:
We encourage interested individuals to apply even if only a few of the below qualifications are met

• Bachelor's degree in Forestry, Ecology, Environmental Science, Natural resource management, or similar field.
• Experience using field technology (GPS devices, tablets) and related applications (Field Maps, Survey123, MS Office Suite, etc) to record, organize, and quality-check data.
• Possession of physical fitness needed to hike up to 10 miles a day with a light pack in often inclement conditions.
• Willingness to occasionally perform overnight camping assignments and long days.
• Current certification in CPR/First Aid
• Possession of a valid driver’s license, safe driving record, and experience operating a 4-wheeldrive vehicle on rough roads.
• Ability to have a positive attitude and flexibility if unforeseen changes arise.
• Demonstrated ability to be accountable working independently or with a small team.

Housing Information: No housing or housing stipend is provided. Temporary summer housing options can be challenging to find in Salmon, however SVS staff strive to help new employees find housing options by sharing any known leads and contact information on current vacancies.