Fall ‘26 Fieldcrew

El Bichólogo; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 25,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

El Bichólogo seeks dedicated field crew members for the Fall Season to perform demanding outdoors work on forest health, fuels reduction, prescribed fire, and watershed restoration. You will work in variable terrain and weather, collaborating to build wildfire resilience.

Strong physical stamina and safety focus are essential. Preferred qualifications include NWCG credentials (FFT1/FFT2) or willingness to obtain, plus experience with restoration, chainsaw operations, and field tools.

Qualifications

• Ability to perform strenuous physical labor 8–10 hours daily in rugged terrain.
• Valid Driver’s License and reliable transportation to Leavenworth, WA.
• Own sturdy leather work boots; PPE provided as needed.
• Experience in field restoration or wildfire operations preferred.

Responsibilities

• Forestry & Fuels Reduction: thinning, limbing, bucking, and hand-piling fuels.
• Prescribed Fire Operations: prep and assist with burns as conditions permit.
• Riparian & Ecological Restoration: assist plantings and restoration tasks.
• Tool & Equipment Care: operate and maintain chainsaws, brushcutters, hand tools, drip torches.
• Safety & Teamwork: maintain crew communication and PPE adherence.

Skills

Chainsaw proficiency

Physical stamina

Safety & teamwork

Education

NWCG credentials (FFT2/FFT1/FAL3/2)

S-212 Wildland Fire Chainsaws certification

Tools

Chainsaws

Brushcutters

Hand tools

Drip torches

Job description

About the Position:

We are seeking dedicated, hardworking individuals to join our field crew for the Fall Season. This position involves physically demanding, hands-on field work focused on forest health, fuels reduction, prescribed fire, and watershed restoration. Crew members will work collaboratively in outdoor, variable terrain and weather conditions to implement projects that build wildfire resilience and restore ecosystem health.

Key Responsibilities

• Forestry & Fuels Reduction: Perform small-diameter tree thinning (low-impact hand thinning), limbing, bucking, and hand-piling of woody fuels to improve forest structure and reduce wildfire risk.
• Prescribed Fire Operations: Prepare burn units (fuel breaks, blacklining prep, containment prep), and participate in prescribed broadcast burns and pile burning as conditions permit.
• Riparian & Ecological Restoration: Assist with fall riparian zone plantings, native revegetation, and low-tech process-based stream restoration tasks.
• Tool & Equipment Care: Safely operate and perform daily field maintenance on chainsaws, brushcutters, hand tools (pulaskis, McLeod tools, hand saws), and drip torches.
• Safety & Teamwork: Maintain high standards of crew communication, situational awareness, and adherence to Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs) and personal protective equipment (PPE) guidelines.

Qualifications & Skills

Preferred / Ideal Qualifications:

• Chainsaw Proficiency: Demonstrated experience in chainsaw operation, felling, bucking, limbing, and field maintenance (sharpening, troubleshooting). S-212 Wildland Fire Chainsaws or equivalent certification is a plus.
• NWCG Qualifications: Current or prior National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) credentials (e.g., FFT2, FFT1, FAL3/2) and experience with prescribed fire or wildfire operations.
• Restoration Experience: Prior field experience with native planting, ecological restoration, trail work, or conservation corps.

Required Qualifications:

• Ability to perform strenuous physical labor for 8–10 hours a day in rough, steep, and variable backcountry terrain and changing weather conditions.
• Ability to safely lift, carry, and pack up to 45–50 lbs.
• Strong work ethic, reliable attendance, positive attitude, and commitment to crew safety.
• Valid Driver’s License and reliable transportation to the shop/meeting site in Leavenworth, WA.
• Must provide own sturdy, leather work/wildland boots (other required PPE will be provided/discussed).

Work Environment & Schedule

• Schedule: Typically 4 x 10-hour or 5 x 8-hour days per week (approx. 40 hours/week). Prescribed fire days may require flexible start/end times depending on weather and burn windows.

• Field Conditions: Primarily outdoor work in temperatures ranging from late-summer heat to late-fall cold/rain/light snow.