THE JMT WILDERNESS CONSERVANCY

OPEN POSITION: SEASONAL FIELD STEWARD

The JMT Wilderness Conservancy is seeking 8 Field Stewards to join our non-profit organization.  Field Stewards will be deployed in teams of two, in various regions along the John Muir Trail, in either the Inyo and/or Sierra National Forest(s).

The primary role of this position will be to implement restoration treatments for meadows and riparian terrain in Wilderness areas.  This position operates on a seasonal schedule, beginning June 1stand concluding October 16th. For at least half of the field season (June-September), Field Stewards will train, oversee and manage restoration work crews to complete the intended work. In addition to the primary restoration work, Field Stewards will assist with early season log outs, collaborate with Forest Service rangers to develop appropriate treatments, and complete more advanced restoration work independently when necessary.

ABOUT THE JMT WILDERNESS CONSERVANCY

The JMT Wilderness Conservancy is dedicated to the conservation of the wilderness, wildlife, and watersheds along the Sierra Nevada crest defined by the John Muir Trail (est. 1915).  Considering steeply increased recreational use and the compounding effects of climate change, our mission is to restore and conserve meadow ecosystems and riparian habitatalong the JMT corridor.  The region is roughly 20 miles wide and 220 miles north-to-south, running from Yosemite Valley to Mt. Whitney, and includes over 390 miles of trails and 2.8 million acres of surrounding wilderness.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Commitment: Employment is seasonal from June to mid-October each year.  Housing will be provided, in Mammoth Lakes and near Shaver Lake, for access to projects on the East and West side of the Sierra Nevada respectively. Because this position will require presence along the John Muir Trail, familiarity with the region, and/or familiarity with high Alpine terrain and climate is required. The work follows a 9 by 5 hitch schedule.  A typical 9-day work deployment will include 8 backcountry days and 1 administrative day, but there may be exceptions.  Attendance at orientation and training programs in June is required.  See below. 

Compensation :

• $25,000-$30,000 seasonal salary, depending on experience.
• Standard Federal Meal & Incidental Expense per diems paid for each day in the field.
• Compensation and per diem are processed and paid twice mon

Reporting: Field Stewards report to the Program Director and will work with the Field Project Managers in coordinating deployments, scope of work for each project, GIS data collection and utilization. Field Stewards will need to visit work sites and coordinate with restoration crews for final training and to ensure quality restoration techniques.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Attend required orientations and trainings in June One training will take place in Truckee as part of the JMT Wilderness Conservancy’s internal onboarding.  A second training may take place in Mammoth Lakes in coordination with Inyo National Forest's region-wide ranger training, contingent on federal partner capacity .  Additional professional development opportunities may also be offered throughout the season (e.g., C Sawyer certification).

Topics will include:

• The science and function of meadow ecology and riparian corridors and the history of their declining condition throughout the central Sierra Nevada.
• Restoration techniques and best practices, in accordance with the Conservancy’s Quality Control / Quality Assurance standards, restoration design plans, and the Wilderness Act.
• Training on ArcGIS and digital field tools (iPads, solar arrays, battery packs, Trimbles, etc.) to effectively collaborate, coordinate, and document project work in a remote Wilderness setting.
• Ecological monitoring data collection protocols and techniques.
• USFS and NPS Wilderness protocols and field expectations.
• Overview of past restoration projects and those planned for the current season, in each jurisdiction.

(ii) Plan, prepare, and debrief for each 9-day deployment:

• Work with the Program Director and the Field Project Team to develop routes in coordination with JMT Wild’s Ecological Monitoring Teams and sub-contracted restoration crew deployments.
• Managing your own seasonal provisions and gear, based on each field deployment.
• Assisting with pre-deployment training of the sub-contracted field crews, as needed.
• Provided: JMT Wild will provide each Steward with a lightweight tent, JMT Wild logo’d backpack, field uniforms (shirts, shell, pants, and hats), work gloves, hard hat, safety glasses, and field tools.
• Not provided: all other personal gear and supplies are to be furnished by Field Stewards (g.,sleeping bag and pad, other clothing and layers, work and hiking boots, heavy jacket, water filter, stove and cook set, etc.).

(iii) Deploy on the schedule confirmed with the Program Director and Project Managers, deployments may require some of the following tasks:

• Coordination with other JMT Wild staff, namely the Field Coordinator and Monitoring Cohorts, to meet at a given location for each project assigned in your area.
• Assist the Forest Service with trail work and trail logouts to access project sites and support pack-stock resupply.
• Oversee project starts with restoration work crews, and monitorthe quality of restoration work being performed to the conclusion of the work season.
• Hike to prior restored areas to check on restoration effectiveness, performing light restoration as needed, adjusting signage, and redirecting any people camping in restored areas.
• Hiking to potential future project areas, (g., a mega-campsite or remote meadow).
• Conduct advanced or remote restoration work independently when restoration crews are not deployed.
• Redirect visitors or campers away from decommissioned or actively restored areas.
• Supporting the USFS or NPS, as appropriate, in the event of early season impacts due to snowpack.

(iv) At season end, assisting with demobilization and the cleaning, inventory and packing of field equipment and gear for Field Stewards and the Monitoring Teams.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Field Stewards will be self-supported on multi-night backcountry tours and must be physically and emotionally fit to endure remote locations, rugged terrain, and inclement weather for extended periods of time in the high Sierra Nevada.  The ideal candidate will have a strong work ethic, be able to work as a team, and behave in a respectful and professional manner when engaged with partner crews, agency partners and the public.

Required Qualifications:

• 2 years+ experience as a wilderness ranger or trail lead with USFS or NPS, or 2+ years experience as a crew lead on a backcountry trail crew.
• Able to carry 40-50 lb. backpack, and hike 10 miles+ in and out of basecamp at high elevation
• Possess a WFR certification or willing/able to enroll in a WFR class in advance of job start date (JMT Wild will cover WFR certification / recertification expense).
• Leave No Trace certification (must be taken and/or recertified before start-date).

Not required, but preferred:

• BA/BS degree with emphasis in recreation management or environmental sciences. Field botanist with focus on meadow sciences a plus!
• Some experience with ArcGIS and GIS data collection for mapping field operations.
• Have an appreciation for biodiversity in plants and animals, and a passion for the environmental preservation of meadow ecology, and sustainable recreation in the central Sierra Nevada.
• Experience in environmental nonprofit organizations, helpful.

The JMT Wilderness Conservancy is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable nonprofit located in Menlo Park and Truckee, CA which does not unlawfully discriminate against employees or applicants because of race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition or any other basis protected by state or federal laws.