Forestry Intern

2025  Forestry Intern, Olympic Region – Exempt
-Full-time to Part-time (Minimum 16 hours and up to 40 hrs/week), Flexible start date with 3-5 month duration.
-Anticipated employment is May-September, 2025
-Location: Olympic Region – Forks, WA.
-Salary: 
Sophomore and below: $17.00/hr.
Junior: $18.00/hr.
Senior: $19.00/hr.
Graduate Students: up to $22.00/hr.
1-year Graduate program $20.00/hr.
2-year Graduate program $21.00/hr.
Higher $22.00/hr. *Housing stipend of up to $1,000/mo. may be available

Join something GREAT and make a difference!
Are you a student who enjoys spending time outdoors and is passionate about the sustainable management of forest resources? Do you want real, “boots on the ground” experience working for a leader in responsible forestry? The Olympic Region of Washington DNR is seeking a summer intern eager to get out in the woods and be immersed in all things forestry on the Olympic peninsula. This position will provide invaluable experience in forestry’s many disciplines: timber sale layout, contract administration, road engineering, GIS, wildlife, hydrology, geology, and cultural resources. You will be in the field daily working with foresters, engineers, specialists, and loggers helping facilitate the sale and harvest of wood products from State Trust Lands. This position will be working in the forests near Forks and Port Angeles, Washington. 

This internship is a great way to get an introduction to both the Department of Natural Resources and working in a professional natural resource field. You will be supported, mentored, and coached to have the best possible summer intern experience possible, with a wide variety of learning opportunities. Additionally, working as an intern enables both you and the DNR staff to build professional relationships that will help as you advance in your education and future career.

Responsibilities:

Assist foresters with the following:

• Timber sale layout and design
• Planning and designing forest roads
• Locate and classify streams and wetlands following appropriate Habitat Conservation Plan or forest practices requirements utilizing field observations, LiDAR, and consultation with biologist and/or Forest Regulation forester
• Collect data for timber sale boundaries, streams, wetlands, leave trees, roads, etc. utilizing GPS
• Schedule and meet with specialists regarding fish streams, wetlands, wildlife, unstable slopes, and cultural and historic resources.
• Foster good working relations with the community and adjacent landowners by being transparent about DNR operations.
• Complete necessary permitting and paperwork utilizing applicable software and knowledge of standards, rules, and regulations to create a timber sale document packet that complies with all procedures, policies, and state and federal regulations
• Compliance with road building and timber harvesting contracts.

Required Qualifications: 

• A current student in an undergraduate or graduate program majoring in Forest Management, Forest Operations, Forest Science, Silviculture, Forest Engineering, or a related field.
• A licensed driver with two years of driving experience. Employees who drive for state business, whether in a state or privately owned vehicle, are required to possess a valid license and abide by all other driver responsibility requirements.
• At least 18 years of age at the time of hire.
• Maintain high standards for safety
• Maintain high standards of personal, professional, and ethical conduct
• Contributes to a work environment that embraces diversity and brings together the strengths and perspectives of diverse groups.
• Conveys a clear desire and ability to learn new concepts and skills.
• Shows the ability to turn learned conceptions into practical application.