Forest Wildlife Technician – Forester

Forest Wildlife Technician – Forester
Southwest Virginia – National Forest System lands
Location: Within 30 miles of Marion, VA
Employer: Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society
Starting Date: August 2025
Term of Position: Two months from start date

Background and Primary Duties:

The Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society (RGS & AWS) are a national, nonprofit organization with a 63-year record of forest wildlife conservation. In partnership with the George Washington & Jefferson National Forests (GWJEFF), we are seeking a dedicated forester technician to assist with planning and implementing active forest management projects on National Forest System lands in Virginia, with a focus on the Clinch Ranger District, Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, and Eastern Divide Ranger District. The Forest Wildlife Technician will function as a resource for increased capacity to assist with hardwood management projects on the GWJEFF. Roles will include but are not limited to service work project layout, flagging and painting project boundaries, GIS reconnaissance, old growth stand reconnaissance, project inspection, and other supportive duties. The position will focus on aiding RGS & AWS in restoring forest age-class and structural diversity to achieve objectives from the GWJEFF’s Forest Plan and to assist in the recovery of Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) from Virginia’s State Wildlife Action Plan, including ruffed grouse, American woodcock, and golden-winged warbler.

The Ideal Candidate Will Possess the Following Qualifications:

• A degree or projected degree in forestry with experience in forest operations and coursework in applied silviculture and dendrology. Equivalent years in experience will also be accepted by situation.
• In-depth understanding of connections between active forest management and wildlife habitat needs, forest harvesting systems, forest ecology, and environmental regulations.
• Technical skills and experience in field forestry, including forest inventory design and implementation, timber marking and cruising, project layout, GPS data collection, map making in ArcGIS Pro, and data analysis.
• Excellent spoken and written communication skills, networking skills, well organized, and ability to work well with partners and co-workers.
• Willingness and ability to travel frequently throughout Southwest Virginia and perform arduous field work on steep terrain and a variety of weather conditions fully independently throughout the day.
• Applicant must have a valid U.S. Driver’s license.

Position Summary:

The Forest Wildlife Technician will provide field work assistance in the layout and implementation of active forest management projects on the GWJEFF’s National Forest System lands. Specifically, the Forest Wildlife Technician will:

• Provide project planning support, including GIS assessment, stand reconnaissance, common stand exams, old growth surveys, GPS data collection, and GIS mapping of treatment areas.
• Assist in on ground layout of projects by flagging and painting boundaries of treatment areas.
• Cruise selected forest stands on the GWJEFF to collect overstory and regeneration data to develop reports and resources for the silviculturists on the districts.
• Perform GIS analysis on areas throughout the districts for implementation of service work projects.
• Provide support in inspecting completed units of forest management of the GWJEFF for approval.

Compensation:

The position rate is $15 per hour. Housing will be provided. The Technician will be given access to a work vehicle or reimbursement for personal vehicle mileage incurred during work activities.