Forest Operations / Lean-tos, Cabins & Trails Crews

Company: Paul Smith's College
Location: Paul Smiths
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

THIS POSITION IS ONLY AVAILABLE TO CURRENTLY ENROLLED STUDENTS AT PAUL SMITH'S COLLEGE WHO HAVE COMPLETED THE TIMBER HARVESTING CLASS . Position: Forest Operations / Lean-tos, Cabins & Trails Crews Status: Part-Time, Non-Exempt, Staff Department: Forestry Reports to: Forest Operations Compensation: Beginning crew members- $16.00 per hour Seasoned crew members- $16.50 per hour Crew Boss- $18.00 per hour Overall Position Description: Paul Smith?s College owns and manages 12,000 acres of forest lands. These lands are managed for timber/maple syrup production and recreation. Paul Smith?s College is instrumental in the management and direction of the Visitors Interpretive Center (VIC). Paul Smith?s College is also dedicated to providing extensive practical hands-on experiences for its students. It is with this focus, PSC is creating a joint entity which will incorporate aspects of timber harvesting, trail construction and maintenance, lean-tos and cabins construction and repair, as well as other duties as set forth by our missions as stated below. PSC welcomes those who wish to be involved in these specialized operations to apply. Please read through all the duties, requirements, and qualifications. Description - Forest Operations: This position will engage in all aspects of forest operations at Paul Smith?s College including, but not limited to, cutting, skidding, limbing, bucking, and selling round-wood forest products, assisting the Timber Harvesting class with felling, limbing, skidding, and production of sellable timber products, marking timber for commercial contract sale, and working in the Paul Smith?s College Sugar Bush. Description - Lean-tos, Cabins, & Trails (LTC&T): - Lean-tos, Cabins & Trails (LtC&T) : Paul Smith?s College Forestry Department?s Lean-tos, Cabins & Trails (LtC&T) crew is a fully functioning entity focused on creating, re-designing, and upgrading trails as well as repair and construction of existing lean-tos and cabins on PSC lands. Our mission is to extend our classroom and field instruction with real world applications thereof. This approach will set the standard for exceptional work moving forward regarding how PSC lands shall be developed, and also serve as a springboard for students wishing to continue in this profession and related fields. Accessibility in the form of ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliance will also be incorporated on a case-by-case basis. Students will also have the ability to continue in their positions during the academic semesters as the workload allows and will remain in good standing in academic studies. Advancement opportunities are also available. Duties and Responsibilities (LtC&T): Successful crew members will be instrumental in creating safe, functional, and aesthetically pleasing end products. They will also be responsible for aiding in design and development of projects, including estimating time & material costs needed as well as proper tool use and maintenance. Focus should also include the impacts to the natural environment, ecosystems, and visitor experience. Understanding and applying aspects of sustainability and accessibility shall always be in the forefront. Parks & Conservation students are encouraged to apply as well as those in the Forestry, Natural Resource Conservation Management, and Sustainability disciplines. Prior landscaping and/or construction experience, or the willingness and desire to grasp and excel in hands-on woods work. Currently possess or have the ability to acquire basic Red Cross First Aid. Experience using numerous landscaping and construction hand tools. (Chainsaw experience is not necessarily required; however, students who operate chainsaws must have Game of Logging levels I & II certifications) Understand and appreciate hazards and safety protocol involved in working in a natural environment. Capacity to lift, carry, and maneuver 50lbs, and perform other strenuous activities. Ability to work in inclement weather and on uneven terrain. Capacity to perform duties independently, proactively, and accept direction from crew boss and/or crew supervisor. Proof of health insurance Duties & Responsibilities (Forest Ops): Assist on-site Timber Harvesting class or similar harvesting operations. Assist with felling, skidding, limbing, landing, and other forest activities associated with the instruction and performance of forest operations on the lands of Paul Smith?s College. Perform mechanical brush control as needed. Perform landing maintenance and cleanup as necessary, including plowing. Maintain harvesting equipment and perform mechanical equipment repairs when needed. Perform timber marking. Perform GIS/GPS work. Participate in Sugar Bush production work as needed. Requirements (Forest Ops): Must be currently enrolled in the Paul Smith?s College Forestry program. Must have successfully completed the Timber Harvesting class. May not work over 20 hours per week between all Paul Smith?s College jobs when classes are in session. At minimum, a team will consist of at least three crew members when felling and limbing timber. Will work in teams of two while performing tasks on the landing, and when maintaining equipment. Ability to maintain and use tools and operate machines and equipment. Ability to perform physical labor as needed for work and equipment maintenance. Ability to successfully balance forestry work and academic workload. Comfortable working outdoors in all weather conditions Valid Driver?s License and a motor vehicle record that meets the College?s standard of ?approved driver.? Paul Smith?s College values diversity in the College community and seeks to assure equal opportunity through its continued Affirmative Action program. EOE/AA/M/F/D/V

Keywords: Paul Smith's College, Utica , Forest Operations / Lean-tos, Cabins & Trails Crews, Construction , Paul Smiths, New York