What are the responsibilities and job description for the CharBoss Technician position at Coeur d'Alene Tribe?
This is a seasonal full-time position for the Coeur d’Alene Tribe Natural Resource Department’s Fish and Wildlife Program in Plummer, Idaho. The primary responsibility is to operate an AirBurner CharBoss and maintain daily records of the time and energy involved in its operation and the amount of biochar produced from that operation. This is a new, mobile piece of equipment designed to burn slash and forest debris in a contained metal box to produce biochar. The Coeur d’Alene Tribe is testing the feasibility of producing biochar for the use in agricultural production, as biochar increases soil nutrient and moisture retention. The increases in nutrient and moisture retention could not only improve agricultural production but also improve native fish and wildlife habitats. The CharBoss Operator will work closely with the Coeur d’Alene Tribe’s Fire and Fuels Management to access and burn forest slash and harvest residue. The incumbent should be familiar with the five core values of the Tribe and how those core values are expressed within the actions of the department and the duties of this position. Those duties shall include, but not be limited to:
Summary of Job Duties and Responsibilities
Summary of Job Duties and Responsibilities
- Daily discussions with the IAMP Grant Manager and Fire and Fuels Management teams to schedule workloads and coordinate equipment movement placement and operation.
- Interpret aerial photos and topographic maps to determine routes of transport and potential CharBoss placement locations.
- Produce accurate records of CharBoss movements and locations of operation as well as amount and descriptions of slash and wood byproduct burned, estimates of fuels consumed, biochar produced, hours worked and problems encountered. Data entry will either be done in daily written logs or on a computer tablet that provides GPS locations in addition to data entry capabilities.
- Move the CharBoss to and placement at pre-selected operation sites. The CharBoss can be towed as a 17,500-pound trailer with a tongue weight of 1,400 pounds.
- Maintain the CharBoss, which may include but not be limited to daily inspection, lubrication, fueling, and function testing.
- Conduct controlled burns of forest slash and debris within the CharBoss and capturing the biochar that is produced from the controlled burns.
- Store biochar produced from controlled burns in pre-selected containers and/or at pre-selected locations.
- Attend all necessary and required training and staff meetings.
- Participate in safety trainings, burn review sessions and fire critiques.
- Ensure the safety and wellbeing of all Natural Resource Staff as well as observers and guests while operating or moving the CharBoss.
- Complete other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
- Must support the Coeur d’Alene Tribe’s vision, mission and core values per CDA Resolution 015 (2020).
- High school diploma or GED.
- Must have a valid Class A Commercial Driver License, good driving record, and be Tribally insurable.
- Must comply with all other Health policies established by the Tribe or the Natural Resource Department.
- Familiarity with local tree species and forestry practices.
- The ability to use or learn to use a tablet with GPS and data entry capabilities.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality of data and sensitive information.
- Work outdoors in rough terrain, inclement weather, and flexible hours.
- Ability to operate computers and complicated electronic equipment or willingness to learn.
- Ability to work and communicate with the public.
- Ability to learn how to correctly fill out necessary documentation for data collection as well as routine office paperwork (log sheets, timesheets, leave slips, etc.).
- Willingness to uphold attendance standards required of seasonal employees.
- Ability to work in both a team and individual environment and contribute to a positive work environment.
- Communicating or posting information or content on the Internet or using any social media platforms that adversely affects your job performance, the performance of co-workers, or otherwise adversely affects members, customers, or the Tribe and its administration negatively will not be tolerated and may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination.
- Must not have been convicted of a felony involving dishonesty in the last 5 years.
Supervision
- The IAMP Grant Lead will serve as the immediate supervisor for the CharBoss Operator and will provide direction on its use as well as the storage of the biochar that is produced from burning forest slash and harvest residue. However, the CharBoss Operator will work within the team of Fire and Fuels Management to maximize the production of biochar and will also need to cooperate and rely on the expertise of the Fire and Fuels staff.
- Work will be reviewed by the IAMP Grant Lead. The IAMP Grant Lead will need accurate and consistent field data and feedback from the CharBoss Operator and Fire and Fuels staff to meet the objectives of the CharBoss operation as well as assist with scheduling and directing the use of the CharBoss.
- The CharBoss is a recently designed burn box that can be moved with heavy duty 1-ton pickup. The use of a CharBoss is new to the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, therefore the CharBoss Operator will need to be willing to address unexpected complications that arise from the use of this unfamiliar equipment.
Physical Demands and Work Environment
- The work requires physical exertion, such as periods of standing, walking, and carrying boxes or packs weighing up to 50 pounds over rough, mountainous or rocky terrain
- According to qualifications and fire occurrence, the incumbent may be assigned to suppress or to support in local fire suppression, unless medically excused.
- Work is performed in indoor and outdoor settings. When outdoors, the incumbent will be exposed to a wide range of weather conditions, steep terrain, dust, noise, and related factors. Appropriate clothing and gear are required when working outdoors.
- The incumbent will be required to operate four-wheel drive vehicles, ATV, trackhoe and safely tow trailers in addition to operating the CharBoss.
Tribal Employment Policy
An applicant may be asked to participate in an interview to establish whether he/she meets the minimum qualifications. Interviews do not create a right to employment and provide no promise or guarantee of employment with the Tribe.
The Coeur d’Alene Tribe reserves the right to hire according to its Indian Preference Policy. Positions with the Coeur d’Alene Tribe are subject to a 6-month orientation period.
