Heavy Equipment Operator/Land Rehabilitation Technician (Seasonal) - Fort Hunter Liggett, CA

POSITION
A Seasonal full-time (40 hrs/week) hourly Land Rehabilitation and Equipment Operation Technician position is available with the Center for Environmental Management of Military Lands (CEMML). The work site is at Fort Hunter Liggett (FHL), CA, Monterey County. The position cannot exceed 9 months, but opportunities for permanent positions may become available during or after a temporary assignment. These positions are contingent on continued project funding at FHL.

Desired start date is March 3, 2025, and applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

ORGANIZATION
CEMML is a research, education, and service unit within the Warner College of Natural Resources at Colorado State University (CSU). CEMML applies the latest and most appropriate science to promote the sustainable management of natural and cultural resources on Department of Defense (DOD) and other public lands. We provide technical support, conduct applied research, and offer career development and learning opportunities to support resource stewardship. We collaborate with our sponsors and within CSU to resolve complex environmental issues, leaving a legacy of science-based decisions that sustain our resources for future generations.

To learn more about CEMML’s contributions to land management, our mission, vision, and values, visit http://www.cemml.colostate.edu/.

LOCATION
The base is in the central coast region of California. Nearby towns include King City and Paso Robles. Covering 161,000 acres (251.5 mi2), Fort Hunter Liggett is the largest Army Reserve installation in the continental United States.

RESPONSIBILITIES
The Technician supports a variety of tasks related to land rehabilitation and maintenance on lands used for training by the U.S. Army at Fort Hunter Liggett. Day-to-day direction and oversight is provided by federal employees. Working with other project staff and federal employees, the Technician operates light and heavy equipment to stabilize soil and maneuver lands, help maintain maneuver trails and manage vegetation. Heavy equipment may include dump trucks, dozers, graders, front-end loaders, agricultural tractors, back hoes and other equipment. Other duties include conducting field assessments to evaluate best management practices or prescriptions, collecting data regarding land condition and rehabilitation success, clearing debris, mowing, removing invasive species, removing dead and downed tree using chainsaws, and other assigned duties. This position may also require tracking daily activities. The successful candidate is required to work on-site at Fort Hunter Liggett, telecommuting is not available for this position.

REQUIRED JOB QUALIFICATIONS
• Ability to work in-person at Fort Hunter Liggett, CA.
• High school Diploma, GED, or equivalent.   
• 2 or more years of experience in heavy equipment operation for land rehabilitation/restoration sites or similar activities. This may include experience with the use and maintenance of heavy equipment typically associated with land rehabilitation projects (e.g., dozer, grader, seed drill, hydromulcher and/or straw-mulcher, front-end loader, water truck, dump truck agricultural tractor, backhoe, trucks and trailers.
• Experience using light equipment such as chainsaws, string trimmers, mowers and other motorized equipment.
• Ability to work outdoors and perform strenuous labor under all weather conditions (e.g., heat and humidity, rain).
• Ability to lift up to 40 pounds repeatedly without assistance. 
• Ability to follow directions, work collectively with others as a team, and maintain safe working standards.
• Proficient verbal and written English communication skills.
• Must have a valid U.S. state driver’s license or the ability to obtain a driver’s license by the employment start date. 
• The successful candidate must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. by proposed start date; CEMML will not provide visa sponsorship for this position.
• Basic proficiency with Microsoft Office applications such as MSWord, Excel and Outlook (mail/calendar).

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
• Knowledge and experience with land rehabilitation, revegetation, watershed management and erosion control practices, techniques and best management practices (BMPs) commonly applied by county, state and federal agencies. 
• Familiarity with Central California vegetation or similar vegetation types.
• Experience with digital field data collection and GPS.
• Experience working on military lands.
• Experience operating 4WD vehicles on unpaved roads and trails.

DIVERSITY STATEMENT
Reflecting departmental and institutional values, candidates are expected to have the ability to advance CSU’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

SALARY and BENEFITS
The hourly pay rate is $28.00-$30.00 per hour. Hourly employees are eligible for sick leave benefits plus dental and health insurance. Employee benefit information can be found at:
https://hr.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/25/2021/02/benefits-summary-hourly.pdf https://hr.colostate.edu/current-employees/benefits/.

APPLICATION
Submit questions and applications to David Jones:  David.Jones@colostate.edu).

Applications must include the following:

1) Cover Letter addressing the job description 
2) Resume
3) References (contact information for 3 professional references, including at least one supervisor) supervisors)

CSU is an EO/EA/AA employer. Colorado State University conducts background checks on all final candidates. Candidate must be able to comply with all applicable regulations to obtain a Common Access Card (CAC).

For a complete listing of all open CEMML positions, please visit https://cemml.colostate.edu/careers/