Berkeley Forests Crew Lead (Intern Forester) Position
Crew Lead (Intern Forester): One opening
Berkeley Forests manages multiple forest research stations throughout the state. Assignments may be at any one of these sites, but most will be at Blodgett Forest Research Station in El Dorado County, CA with trips of varying lengths to other properties. Potential for significant portions of the season to be spent at Flatwoods Research Forest in Shasta County, Grouse Ridge Research Forest in Nevada County, or Whitaker’s Forest in Tulare County. Forestry-related research in areas of forest ecology, fire ecology, ecosystem processes, silviculture, and forest management are conducted throughout the Berkeley Forests’ properties. This position provides broad support for achieving the mission of facilitating research, demonstration, and education. They will work closely with professional forestry staff on forestry projects and supervise field crews of 3 to 7 people. Additional information on the properties and their function is available at forests.berkeley.edu/forests.
EMPLOYMENT DATES:
Five to nine consecutive months, between April 2025 and December 2025 (specific start and end dates negotiable).
QUALIFICATIONS: A minimum of two seasons of fieldwork or coursework including field exercises covering the following:
- Supervising field crews while carrying out field work protocols
- Vegetation measurement techniques, including use of tree measurement tools and forest mensuration
- Safe use and maintenance of chainsaws, brush cutters, pruners, and forestry hand tools
- Identificaton of common Sierra Nevada plants
- Organization and analysis of data and report preparation
- Familiarity with spreadsheets, word processors, and forest vegetation simulators
- Fuels management, including prescribed burning and both mechanical and treatments
This position is full-time, temporary. Applicants must be physically fit and capable of sustained physical work during all seasons of weather conditions in rugged terrain. More than 75% of work is outdoors, and this position will include coordinating crew travel between properties including field work and camping. Work sites may be steep and dense, and there is a potential for encountering poison oak and hornets/bees.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: Assist with the following:
- Supervision of field crew and sampling protocol implementation, including ensuring adherence to safety and equipment maintenance standards during all projects
- Organizing field data and preparing technical documentation and reports
- Field layout of research treatments related to fuel projects and timber harvests, including flagging and timber marking
- Directing stand improvement practices, including pre-commercial thinning; hand, mechanical and chemical weeding; planting; and pruning
- Completing field work and project maintenance for various research studies
- Surveying and collecting GIS data for property boundaries, inventory/research plots, and project areas, using Avenza and Global Positioning System equipment
- Field supervision maintaining permanent forest and stream inventory system and regeneration plots, and helping with salvage operations and contractor oversight
- Varying degrees of infrastructure maintenance
SALARY: Min. $27/hour (dependent on experience/education)
[On-site housing at Blodgett Forest Research Station is provided with an expectation to help with chores (cleanliness, building maintenance, dump runs, etc.). Work schedule is typically 40 hours/week M-F but may be adjusted.]
CLOSING DATE: Applications accepted until filled. Interviews to start late January/February.
TO APPLY: When applying submit resume, cover letter, and contact information of two references. Include description of work experience and/or relevant class experience. Submit application materials and any questions to Ariel Roughton at athomson@berkeley.edu. In the subject for the email, please label as ”2026 BF Crew Lead Application.”
Berkeley Forest Crew Member Positions
Forest Resource Assistants: mulitple openings
Berkeley Forests manages multiple forest research stations throughout the state. Assignments may be at any one of these sites, but most will be at Blodgett Forest in El Dorado County, CA with trips of varying lengths to other properties. Potential for significant portions of the season to be spent at Flatwoods Research Forest in Shasta County, Grouse Ridge Research Forest in Nevada County, or Whitaker’s Forest in Tulare County. Forestry-related research in areas of forest ecology, fire ecology, ecosystem processes, silviculture, and forest management are conducted throughout the Berkeley Forests’ properties. These positions provide broad support for achieving the mission of facilitating research, demonstration, and education. A wide variety of work experience conducting both research and management activities is provided under the supervision of multiple registered professional foresters. Additional information on these properties and their function is available at forests.berkeley.edu/forests.
EMPLOYMENT DATES:
3 – 5 consecutive months, between May 2026 and December 2026. Start and end date are negotiable, but applicant must be available early-June through early August at minimum. Term not to exceed 900 hours total.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Work experience or coursework including field exercises covering the following:
REQUIRED:
- Vegetation measurement techniques, including use of tree measurement tools.
- Identification of common Sierra Nevada plants.
- Field orientation/surveying including use of a compass and maps.
PREFERRED:
- Safe use and maintenance of chainsaws, brush cutters or pruners, and forestry hand tools.
- Operation of automatic four-wheel drive vehicles and valid Calif. Driver’s license.
- Use of field data loggers and computers to collect research-grade precision data.
These positions are full-time, temporary. Applicants must be physically fit, situationally aware, and capable of sustained physical work during summer forest weather conditions. More than 80% of work is outdoors and may include camping and travel between properties. Work sites may in steep, rugged terrain, and there is a potential for encountering poison oak and hornets/bees.
DUTIES:
This position may include assisting with a range of forestry, fuels, and research projects including:
- Resource monitoring program, including measurement of permanent forest inventory plots, riparian research plots, and post-fire data collection.
- Various silviculture and ecology research studies with potential for student research opportunities.
- Aiding with preparation and implementation of pile and broadcast prescribed burns.
- Maintenance of field equipment, vehicles, and living spaces
- Mechanical and hand fuel management including: chainsaw thinning and hand pile construction, pre-commercial thinning, herbicide application, roadside clearing, etc.
- Reforestation and stand improvement practices including site prep, planting, and pruning.
- Surveying of and forest locations using Avenza and GPS Devices.
- Infrastructure maintenance
SALARY: Minimum $25 (depending on experience/education)
[On-site housing at Blodgett Forest Research Station provided with an expectation to help with chores (cleanliness, building maintenance, dump runs, etc.). Work schedule is typically 40 hours/week M-F but may be adjusted.]
CLOSING DATE: Accepting applications until they are filled. (Interviews to begin late Jan/Feb. 2026)
TO APPLY: When applying submit resume, cover letter, and contact information of two references. Include description of work experience and/or relevant class experience. Submit application materials and any questions to Ariel Roughton at athomson@berkeley.edu. In the subject for the email, please label as “2026 BF Crew Member Application.”
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. We offer a diverse working environment, competitive salaries, and comprehensive benefits.