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“shadow on the ridge” – photo: Nick Meyers
Field Observer Position Open at the Mount Shasta Avalanche Center
Friends of the Mt. Shasta Avalanche Center/USFS Mt Shasta Avalanche Center
Position: FMSAC Field Observer position
Location: Mt. Shasta, CA
The Friends of the Mt Shasta Avalanche Center is looking to fill a part-time Field Observer position working in partnership with the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, Shasta-Trinity National Forest.
Details: Early-December to Early-April. Salary is $16.87/hour. Schedule is approximately 20 hours per week with early morning start times and weekend work required. Start date December 5th, 2016.
Interested candidates should submit a resume electronically including references and cover letter to the Friends of the Mt Shasta Avalanche Center by October 9th, 2016 at fmsac@fmsac.org
INTRODUCTION
Position is responsible for collecting field-based observations and data specific to snow avalanches, the mountain snowpack, and mountain weather conditions for assigned areas. Forest Service Avalanche Forecasters will use the information collected by the incumbent in the creation of avalanche forecasts and advisories.
MAJOR DUTIES
- Communicates routinely with local Forest Service Avalanche Center personnel to appraise weather conditions based on judgment and evaluation of relevant factors. Often drives over snow covered roads in a four-wheel-drive vehicle, operates a snowmobile in deep unconsolidated snow, and cross-country skis in steep backcountry avalanche terrain to do so.
- Conducts daily field based avalanche, snowpack, and basic weather watch to obtain, and record avalanche data.
- Interprets technical information to make stability evaluations for assigned area of observation, then records written summary of findings in a predetermined format.
- Reports findings to Avalanche Forecasters at the local Avalanche Forecast Center. Archives collected field data in the computer data base of avalanche, snowpack, and mountain weather information.
- At the request of the Supervisor, provides training on avalanches and avalanche rescue to Forest Service or other personnel; conducts preliminary avalanche incident investigation when Avalanche Forecast Center staff is unable to.
- Snowmobile patrol.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE
- Knowledge sufficient to select, extract, collect, and compile information from various sources taking into account the applicability of information, as well as characteristics and quality of the sources. Interprets information gathered in order to make assessments.
- Knowledge and ability sufficient to utilize instruments and techniques to measure wind speed and direction, cloud cover, precipitation type and amount, and temperature to aid in evaluation of weather conditions in a mountainous area. Interprets patterns of various meteorological systems to make evaluations of weather conditions that may affect avalanche behavior.
- Knowledge of the interacting effects of the mountain snowpack, mountain terrain, and mountain weather; the ability to adjust instruments or equipment when this requires considering the functioning characteristics of equipment.
- Knowledge of and familiarity with the principles, practices, equipment, and techniques of avalanche dynamics, avalanche fracture mechanics, snow stability evaluation, and mountain meteorology.
- Incumbent must possess preliminary avalanche incident investigation skills. Possesses skill in both the uphill and downhill travel techniques of alpine and cross-country skiing in steep backcountry avalanche terrain. Incumbent must have at least intermediate skill in cross-country snowmobile operations in deep unconsolidated snow; Incumbent must maintain a valid state driver’s license and have the ability to drive over snow covered roads in a four wheel drive vehicle.
- Knowledge of and ability to perform avalanche companion rescue to locate and extricate a buried avalanche victim (travel companion) in a timely manner.
SUPERVISORY CONTROL
Supervision is provided by Avalanche Forecasters of the local Avalanche Center. Forecasters will provide specific assignments outlining goals, priorities, and available resources. Incumbent will often plan, schedule, and perform work independently. Incumbent will interpret guidelines and select best proper methods for accomplishing field work. Incumbent’s reports will be evaluated for quality and program compatibility by supervisor(s).
GUIDELINES
Field work procedures will follow those outlined in the publication Snow, Weather, Avalanches: Observational Guidelines for Avalanche Programs in the United States and in published, peer-reviewed technical papers. Incumbent will interpret the guidelines and apply proper methods to varied situations as they arise. Judgment must be applied by the incumbent as to when adaptions are necessary. Incumbent will implement improvements when possible to improve program effectiveness.
SCOPE & EFFECT
The purpose of this position is to provide support to the field observation program of the local Avalanche Center. This support will further and improve the work of the local Avalanche Center to save lives from a reduced avalanche fatality rate and increased avalanche awareness within the agency, allied agencies, and amongst the general public.
PERSONAL CONTACTS
The incumbent will make a variety of personal contacts with agency employees both inside and outside the immediate organization. Personal contacts may also occur with the general public during field work sessions.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Field work for the assessment of avalanche, snowpack, and weather conditions often involves extreme physical exertion in severe weather at high altitude in mountainous backcountry terrain. This will require the incumbent to maintain excellent physical conditioning and mountain travel skills to manage the extreme environment and physical demands. Incumbent must be able to negotiate steep snow covered slopes on skis both uphill and downhill and be able to withstand prolonged physical stress. The duties require navigating rough, uneven or rocky terrain, carrying equipment/instruments, bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, and reaching to gather meteorological data from the air or the earth’s surface while standing on ground which may be uneven, unstable, or may be slick. Incumbent will occasionally work very long hours, conforming to agency guidelines.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work requires the incumbent to be exposed to potentially dangerous situations in mountainous terrain and extreme hot or cold temperatures. There are risks associated with a variety of circumstances, including avalanche occurrence, and conditions cannot be controlled.
Only a very small portion of each work day will occur in an office which is properly lighted, heated, and ventilated. The vast majority of each work day will occur in the field in a backcountry environment, frequently under adverse conditions involving poor visibility, blizzard conditions, rain, snow, and hurricane force winds.
Interested candidates should submit a resume electronically including references and cover letter to the Friends of the Mt Shasta Avalanche Center by October 9th, 2016 at fmsac@fmsac.org
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