Natural Resource Specialist, Special Uses

Position Description Summary:  

Working with the USDA Forest Service, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, the Social Scientist/Natural Resource Specialist is based at the Supervisor’s Office in South Lake Tahoe, CA. The position serves as an advanced trainee performing work in Forest resource (minerals, lands, recreation, trails, and special uses) programs. As an advanced trainee, the incumbent performs productive natural resources work and receives advanced training pertaining to Forest resources and activities. Assignments consist of varied continuing and special assignments which are designed to provide diversified experience and a foundation for future responsibility. Work requires familiarity and judgment in selecting alternatives from among a number of standard principles, methods, and practices to solve problems.

The effect of the work is to increase the efficiency of the incumbent in performing natural resource duties and to facilitate the work of the unit, in collaboration with leadership. The supervisor provides assignments with general instructions as to the objectives and procedures to be used along with quality, quantity, and timeliness expected. Work is reviewed on completion for technical accuracy, conformance to instructions, and to ensure that objectives are met. 

This position works with multiple contacts to inspect work, conduct training, coordinate lands and recreation use with other resource uses, explain conservation or use requirements, monitor user activities, obtain compliance with permits and contracts, ensure protection of the Forest areas, and to receive input on assigned projects. They may also work with the public to provide information concerning Forest special use permit requirements, or with contractors to administer contracts for compliance with contact specifications. 

A Temporary Special Assignment (TSA) employee is one who is hired for a specific temporary assignment external from the institute’s administrative operations with one of GBI’s partners for 52 weeks or greater or less than 52 weeks and may work full-time (30 or more hours per week) or part-time (less than 30 hours per week).

Essential Job Functions may include the following:

1. 30% Proposal Writing. Assists in developing environmental documents including impact of statements concerning special use permit proposals and other project proposals.  
2. 30% Application Permit Review. Processes special use applications including on-the-ground investigations of site suitability, preparation of associated NEPA and environmental assessment reports, and special use permits in final form for the supervisor's review.  
3. 30% Communication & Monitoring. Uses applicable databases to maintain unit information in order to monitor resources program activities. Communicates program information to the public regarding the agency's management practices, rules, and regulations relating to special use permits.  
4. 10% Administrative office support. Tasks such as copying, printing, and general office management.

LOCATION
This position works in-person in South Lake Tahoe, CA. The city of South Lake Tahoe is the largest metropolitan area within the Lake Tahoe Basin, nestled between the Sierra Nevada mountains to the west and the Carson Range to the east. Summers are typically warm and dry, while winters are characteristically precipitous and cold. The alpine community sits at an elevation of 6,237ft while nearby Lake Tahoe reaches 6,224ft. The region is a popular destination for both domestic and international travelers partaking in outdoor recreation activities such as hiking, boating, and skiing.

WORK SCHEDULE

5 days of the week (Monday-Friday), 8 hours per day. Temporary Special Assignment employees holiday schedule will comply with the project partner holiday schedule, unless otherwise specified in their employment offer. TSAs working five (5) eight (8) hour days per workweek will be paid eight (8) hours for all holidays. 

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Salary: $26.54/hr
Start Date: May 19, 2025
Position End Date: Oct. 18, 2025
Benefits: Benefits  include Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance at no cost to the employee, effective from the first of the month after employment begins. Paid Leave accrues at 4 hours for every 80 hours worked, starting from the first day of employment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS  

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands, stand, walk, bend, and have specific vision abilities to include close and distance vision, and ability to adjust focus working with computer business equipment and other job/industry specific equipment. The noise level in the work environment is usually low.

The work regularly requires demanding physical exertion such as long periods of standing, walking over rough, uneven, slippery, or rocky terrain, possible skiing expert groomed and non-groomed slopes (when applicable), recurring bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, or reaching, or recurring moving, lifting, and carrying of moderately heavy items, tools, and packs for extended periods of time.

Work will be performed in an office and field environment.  Field work hazards include risk of injury from falls, strains, and striking against brush and over-hanging branches.  Work includes occasional exposure to inclement weather such as rain, cold, and heat.

NOTE:  This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the organization's ongoing needs.

Disclaimer: Although the organization has attempted to accurately and thoroughly describe this position, GBI reserves the right to change the same, including to change, add to or subtract from the duties outlined, within the sole discretion of the organization, at any time, with or without advance notice.

To perform this job successfully, employees must be able to satisfactorily carry out each essential duty. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
   1. Professional knowledge of basic principles, concepts, and methodology of a biological or social science, as would typically be acquired through a bachelor's degree program within one of these two occupational groups. 
   2. Skills and knowledge gained through additional work experience, that provides the ability to perform recurring assignments independently.
   3. Communication skills, both verbal and written, are required as this position works in contact with the public and with individuals from many different backgrounds, including but not limited to: tribal members and staff, coworkers, volunteers, conservation, environmental and permittees representatives, and less frequently, state, county, and local officials. Contacts frequently include recreation users and the general public
   4. Ability to work independently and follow supervisory directions. Tasks of a repetitive nature may be performed independently without detailed instructions or established procedure.
   5. Sound decision-making and judgement skills
   6. Knowledge of Microsoft Office.…other computer programs?
   7. Valid Driver’s License for duration of the position 
2. Education: Bachelor’s degree in biological or social sciences preferred
3. Experience: 0-2 years. Experience as an intern, or undergraduate/graduate work qualify as work experience.