Forest Inventory Analysis Member Anchorage Forestry Sciences Lab

Summary

American Conservation Experience a nonprofit Conservation Corps in partnership with US Forest Service Anchorage Forestry Sciences Lab (AFSL) is seeking THREE Forest Inventory Analysis Members to contribute to forest inventory projects.

For more information about ACE please visit our website.

Start Date: April 27 2026

End Date: October 9 2026

*a 24-week minimum commitment is required*

Location Details/Description: Anchorage Forestry Sciences Lab Anchorage AK

Anchorage Forestry Sciences Laboratory (Anchorage Lab) traces its roots to Juneaus Institute of Northern Forestry where in the 1950s forest surveys were led by the Pacific Northwest Forest and Range Experiment Station. The lab moved to Anchorage in the 1970s as the National Forest System ramped up partnerships with Anchorage-based partners. By 1979 the Alaska Forest Inventory Program was up and running at the Anchorage lab. Scientists and staff churned out air photos and other survey data in partnership with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Bureau of Land Management National Park Service U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and state agencies. Lab scientists and staff manage both the immensely large forests of Interior Alaska which alone account for 15% of the total U.S. forested area to Hawaii and US Affiliated islands of the Pacific basin including Guam Palau and Micronesia. Major partnerships with the State of Alaska Universities in Alaska Hawaii and Guam and other federal partners as well as private industry expand the labs reach and footprint. Lab scientists frequently go mobile with aircraft plying the Alaskan skies across both the interior and coastal regions.

Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) is a nationwide program which collects processes analyzes evaluates and publishes comprehensive information on forest and other related renewable resources. The Anchorage Forestry Sciences Lab (AFSL) is part of the US Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station (PNWRS) and is responsible for the inventory of Alaska Hawaii and US affiliated Pacific islands. The Alaska FIA program conducts forest inventories and forest health monitoring on forestlands of all land ownerships. FIA installs permanent research plots that are measured on a 10-year cycle. A wide range of forestry variables are collected on each plot in addition to forest health measurements that can include vegetation lichens soils fuels and crown measurements. The inventory data are widely used by forest managers local and state governments and federal agencies in making policy decisions.

For more information about the Anchorage Forestry Sciences Lab please visit the US Forest Service website.

Position Overview:

• The primary responsibilities of this position include photo interpretation locating inventory plots in remote settings measuring various forest and site attributes and supporting the safety program.
• Field measurements taken by crews include: tree sapling and seedling data (species diameter height defect insect & disease identification crown condition damage etc.); understory vegetation structure and composition assessments; down woody material measurements (line transects litter depth and fuels measurement etc.); and site index and site attribute assessments (site tree selection slope aspect topographic position site description etc.).
• Crews use portable handheld computers to collect data in the field and then process the data later using laptops to address any inconsistencies or errors in field data collection. Duties include daily documentation downloading and editing of field data.
• In Alaska interns will work as part of a larger team of 10-12 scientists and technicians during the field season stationed on the research vessel and each day will visit one or more research sites with a smaller subset of that team consisting of between 2-4 individuals.
• During the Alaska field season fieldwork is conducted from a live-aboard research vessel and field sites are visited via helicopter on a daily basis.
• Transportation lodging and meals are all provided during periods of travel away from Anchorage for fieldwork.
• While in Anchorage members will need to provide their own ground transportation for travel to/from the office and for personal use.

Schedule: The work schedule during this period is typically about 10 days in the field working 8-14 hours per day followed by about 6 days off back in Anchorage. Typical work weeks ranging from 50-60 hours/week. Bonus pay is available for certain projects throughout the season.

Following the Alaska field season members may be eligible to perform additional forest monitoring work in small teams traveling across Oregon Washington or California through mid October. All travel expenses during this period would be covered.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute 40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $874/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses dispersed bi-weekly.

Housing: Housing in Anchorage is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or the Forest Service. While in Alaska a reimbursable housing allowance up to $200/wk is available. After Alaska (last 6 weeks of term) a reimbursable housing allowance up to $770/wk and 42 nights of per diem at $70/night will be available.

Wellness: A wellness reimbursement up to $150/month is available to help members offset the costs of health insurance.

Gear: An equipment reimbursement up to $600 is available to ensure members are capable of purchasing appropriate rain gear for work in the temperate rainforest environment.

Relocation Assistance: Relocation assistance up to $500 is available to support members needing to relocate for this position.

Provided Training/Orientation: ACE members will receive position specific training and an orientation outlining ACE policies and procedures clear guidance on prohibited activities and networks for support. Interagency aviation safety bear and wildlife safety shore survival and vessel safety. Forest ecosystem measurement trainings and certification in FIA protocols

Qualifications

Required:

• Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident as required by U.S. government contracts
• Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional positive and enthusiastic manner.
• Ability to be both self-directed/work alone and be a positive contributing member of a group.
• A valid drivers license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required criminal history checks
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• ACE Members will need to complete bi-weekly timesheets beginning of term feedback forms end of term evaluations and for longer terms a mid-term evaluation.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements please visit our website located on our Indeed homepage.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for these positions may hold or be pursuing a bachelors degree in a natural resources or scientific field and have experience spending extended periods outdoors for recreation or work.

• This is a highly physical outdoor position that requires substantial physical fitness and mobility and a tolerance for extreme weather and demanding conditions.

• Strong experience hiking over long distances in steep rocky and brushy terrain and in adverse weather conditions (off-trail)

• Competency with data entry

• Ability to navigate in remote areas using GPS mobile devices and/or paper maps/compass

• Ability to work as part of a team to meet project goals as well as independently to complete survey tasks

• Experience conducting field work and biological surveys with established protocols either through hands-on coursework or through work or internship experience.

• Ability to work independently and in small groups with minimal supervision including hiking driving and following survey protocol

Physical Demands Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting standing walking hiking carrying using hands to handle or feel reaching with hands and arms talking and hearing. Manual dexterity required for handling small animals and plants and for use of various tools computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop kneel climb stairs and/or crouch. Ability to hike over rough terrain carrying up to 40 lbs. and camp overnight under field conditions.
• Vision Requirements: Requires close distance peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 40 lbs. ability to move up to 50 pounds.
• Environmental: Work will be mostly outdoors. Outdoor conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions such as snow heavy rain and extreme cold is expected.
• Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise such as helicopters gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools.
• Travel: This position may require domestic travel.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold rocky terrain swamp or wetland conditions biting insects potentially dangerous wildlife working in burned forest conditions in dense brush/trees and loose footing and hazardous trees. The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self fellow staff/members or resources.

Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety: If a vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties one will be provided by the US Forest Service. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the US Forest Service. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) typically provided by the US Forest Service will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to US Forest Service and ACE equipment training certification and safety protocols is required.

To Apply: Please submit your resume a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience and contact information for three professional/academic references to ACEs online application page for this position on our website. Early consideration will be given as applications are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact Senior Member Manager Caris Hill.

If you meet at least 70 percent of the qualifications we want to hear from you!

ACE participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information when you are hired to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

EEO: Employment or Service with ACE is based upon ability qualifications attitude and job-related factors. Every qualified employee member or applicant has the same opportunity for recruitment hire training transfer promotion compensation demotion termination benefits employee activities and general treatment without regard to race color religion age sex creed national origin pregnancy ancestry citizenship status genetic information veteran or military status physical or mental disability sexual orientation medical condition marital or parental status political affiliation ethnicity hair texture or style arrest record caste hereditary status endogamy or any other classification protected by applicable local state or federal law.