The Stephens Wildland Fire lab at UC Berkeley is hiring for multiple seasonal positions on 2 field crews to conduct fire and forest ecology surveys in northern California for the summer of 2025. The work will support several fire ecology studies and represent an opportunity to gain varied experience in some of California’s most dynamic and beautiful landscapes. 

Crew A: Prescribed fire effects in Calaveras Big Trees Grove

This crew will be dedicated to investigating the effects of prescribed fire on mixed-conifer giant sequoia forests in/around the Calaveras Big Trees Grove. The crew will establish plots in pre-burned areas as well as monitor post-fire plots and will collect data on fuels, forest composition and structure, and understory vegetation characteristics. Results from this project will inform management and policy strategies to increase resilience, health, and biodiversity of our fire-adapted ecosystems.

Crew B: Fire ecology of non-conifer forests in northern California

Ecology and management of pygmy forests at Jackson State Demonstration Forest

This study seeks to evaluate the effects of forest treatments and prescribed fire on the pygmy forests at Jackson State Demonstration Forest. These forests occur on a series of terraces formed by geologic uplift and sea level change, where each terrace is 100 feet higher and 100,000-200,000 years older than the one below, and the trees have stunted growth due to very poor growing conditions (extremely acidic, low fertility, and shallow hardpan soils). Pygmy forests are unique and important in California, but we know little about their ecology or management response. The crew will establish permanent monitoring plots and collect data on tree species composition and structure, understory vegetation, and surface fuels to inform management to conserve these endemic forests. 

Fuel treatment effectiveness in coastal mixed hardwood forests

This project will evaluate differences among fuel treatments (including control/no treatment, mechanical thinning, pile burning, and/or broadcast burning) in coastal mixed hardwood stands post-wildfire. These forests are on private land in Sonoma County, and land managers are interested in learning how to manage these understudied forest types to be more resistant or resilient to future disturbances. The crew will establish monitoring plots and collect pre-treatment data including tree species composition and structure, canopy cover, understory vegetation composition and abundance, and surface fuel load.

Employment Duties: 

For crew A (prescribed fire effects), one crew lead and three crew members will be hired to work from May through November 2025. For Crew B (non-conifer fire ecology), one crew lead and three crew members will be hired to work from mid-May through August 2025 (to align with UC Berkeley’s academic calendar), with possible extension into the fall semester to conduct data entry and processing.

Crews will assist in field preparation, data collection, and data management. Field methods, equipment, and safety training will be provided. The work schedule will either be four 10-hour days followed by three days off or eight 10-hour days followed by six days off. Car camping, in designated or dispersed campsites, will be required during the work days. Field sites will be in remote areas, and crew members must be willing to work in inclement weather conditions and be familiar with, or willing to learn, backcountry navigation and safety procedures. Candidates should enjoy the perks of backcountry field work (alpine sunsets and swimming in creeks) and hardships (mosquitos and bushwhacking through dense shrubland) alike. 

Lodging (in a campground or field station accommodation) and a reliable vehicle will be provided to the crew during work weeks. Reimbursement at federal rates for vehicle wear and tear plus gas costs will be provided for any personal vehicle use for work purposes. Housing will likely be available for the off days; this will be determined based on group needs. Group cooking equipment will be provided, but crew members are responsible for their own food. Camping and outdoor equipment will be provided if crew members do not have personal supplies they wish to use.

Qualifications: 

Crew Member

Required:

• Coursework and/or demonstrated skill in forestry, botany, wildfire, fire ecology, or related fields
• Strong teamwork and communication skills, ability to work well with colleagues from diverse backgrounds
• Ability to operate a vehicle safely
• Enthusiasm and ability to maintain a positive attitude while working long, physically challenging hours in the field, often in rough terrain and variable weather conditions
• Basic equipment and data management skills
• Flexibility will be essential; schedules will be variable
• Adherence to Covid-19, public health, and other UC Berkeley guidelines

Desired:

• Medical training such as Wilderness First Aid or Responder, and experience applying these skills in field settings
• At least two full years of undergraduate work completed
• Experience conducting ecological or forestry field work
• Experience identifying trees, shrubs, forbs, and grasses

Crew Lead

Required:

• All of the required experience above for crew member, plus:
• Minimum of one season of related field work, including adapting to unexpected circumstances
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills

Desired:

• Leadership or managerial experience, especially in field situations, and ability to make decisions for the crew on your own
• Experience working with or teaching students

Compensation: 

• Crew member: $20/hr
• Crew lead: $22/hour