Job Training Program

An employee at Summit Land Management will be exposed to all aspects of a forest management operation. Our focus is hazardous fuels reduction for wildfire prevention. In addition to the hands on work of project site safety, running chainsaws, operating heavy equipment, building slash piles and maintaining equipment, an employee will also gain an understanding of GPS technology and interpreting written forestry project specifications. Through our contracts with Cal Fire and the U.S. Forest Service there is potential to respond, with our haul truck and heavy equipment, to wildfires in California. This is an opportunity to experience the operational logistics of a large and extended emergency incident response. After several months of working with us an employee could gain skills as a forestry ground crew/equipment operator. In addition he/she could be exposed to several career pathways: Forestry Technician, Registered Professional Forester, Fuels Specialist, Soil Conservationist, Wildland Firefighter, Heavy Equipment Operator, General Engineering Contractor.

Arrive at the job site in proper work attire: minimum - ankle high boots and long pants + climate appropriate items - water bottle, hat, jacket, etc... Participate in & lead daily safety talk and project site briefing. Prepare project site with signs and flagging, unload tools and safety gear. Safely operate forestry tools: chainsaw, pole saw. Follow all safety regulations when operating tools including proper and consistent use of safety gear. Manage slash burn piles, being mindful about personal & environmental safety. Assist in fueling, maintaining and repairing forestry tools & heavy equipment. Communicate with heavy equipment operators using hand signals and hand held radios. Create & use GPS maps. Maintain job site awareness - man made & natural hazards. Read & interpret project specifications in order to keep project on track. Heavy equipment training & operation. Assist in estimating future forestry projects.