Ancestorial Oak Restoration Apprenticeship

Job Title: Ancestor Oak Restoration Apprenticeship

 

Position Term:  Seasonal, part time

 

Overview: The Ancestor Oak Restoration Apprenticeship is a seasonal position that has been created to offer involvement of the Esselen Tribe of Monterey County, and its allies, specifically in the areas of forest restoration, wildfire resilience, and natural resource management. The effort is funded by Cal Fire through the Esselen Tribe of Monterey County’s “Wildfire Resilience, Forest Health, Indigenous Food Sovereignty and Cultural Resource Revitalization Project.”

 

Successful applicants will be able to demonstrate earnest personal and professional interest in forestry, natural resource management, fire service, community wildfire resilience, Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), and cultural resource revitalization.

 

Direct Report: The Ancestor Oak Restoration Apprentices report directly to the Project Manager, Dr. Lee Klinger, Department of Natural Resources, Esselen Tribe of Monterey County.

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Job Duties: The paid responsibilities include but are not limited to the following. 

• Actively participating in grant-funded fuel reduction, fire mimicry, oak tree restoration, and Tribal wildfire resilience work

• Attend periodic ETMC Department of Natural Resources (DNR) meetings upon request

• Assist with the  coordination of volunteer work days  and community outreach events 

 

Requested Experience/Qualifications: The apprentice should have professional experience in the following areas: 

• Safe operation and maintenance of chainsaws and other power tools

• Wildland firefighting and fire lighting

• A demonstrated interest in tree and forest health, fire science, cultural/prescribed burning, and/or natural/cultural resource management and protection

• A valid CA Driver’s License

 

 

Physical Requirements: 

Candidates must be able to 

• ascend and descend steep and uneven terrain

• have a very low reactivity to poison oak

• work in proximity to loud equipment

• able to lift and carry or otherwise move 50 pounds regularly

• identify and respond to dangerous situations

• speak, hear, and respond to spoken words, including radio traffic

• comfortably wear personal protective gear most of the day

 

Nondiscrimination: ETMC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, marital status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. Notwithstanding the above, per our grant agreement with Cal Fire funding this project, ETMC may exercise hiring preferences under a Tribal Employment Rights Ordinance (TERO) or similar formally adopted Tribal law or policy as allowed by Federal law.

 

Hourly Rate: $35-$50/hr., depending on experience. All income is taxable.

 

Employment Status: Hourly, non-exempt from overtime. 

Time Commitment: The Ancestor Oak Restoration Apprenticeship position is a seasonal position. The estimated number of hours to be worked in a given season will be identified when a candidate is provided with a position offer letter. Except for ETMC recognized holidays, the time commitment will be a minimum of 1 day/week and a maximum of 3 days/week from December 2024 – June 2024.