Lead Ecological Forester

Job Announcement – Lead Ecological Forester

Overview

Lomakatsi Restoration Project, a non-profit forest and watershed restoration organization based in Ashland, Oregon, seeks a full-time Ecological Forestry professional with experience in project and program management to join our growing organization and leadership team. This position will have the opportunity to work across the diverse ecosystems of Oregon and northern California, and in partnership with federal, state, and municipal agencies, tribes, and nongovernmental organizations to design and implement landscape-scale stewardship initiatives. It is preferred that applicants have a MS degree in Forestry, Forest Ecology, or Natural Resources with job history as a practitioner in the fields of restoration forestry and ecosystem management.

Individuals are strongly encouraged to apply if they have documented experience in: technical writing and proposal writing; developing and managing implementation of restoration-based silvicultural prescriptions; supervising program staff; overseeing forest/fire monitoring and analyzation; ArcGIS mapping and database management; restoration program planning; and supporting collaborative Stewardship projects. The successful candidate will further develop and implement Lomakatsi’s Ecological Monitoring and Restoration Forestry programs and serve in a leadership and program management role within the organization.

Job Description

The Lead Ecological Forester (LEF) will develop, engage and work with partners to help lead restoration forestry stewardship initiatives and manage collaborative agreements and contracts with federal and state agencies, Native American Tribes, nongovernment organizations and industry partners. The LEF will also work with interdisciplinary collaborative teams to co-manage ecological monitoring, restoration planning, database management and reporting.

As a key member of Lomakatsi’s technical team, the LEF will report to the Program Director and work with the Restoration Operations Director and Implementation Specialist to manage the Ecological Monitoring and Restoration Forestry programs. The LEF will directly oversee 2-4 Restoration Technicians. This technical team is collectively responsible for planning, designing, implementing, managing and reporting on Lomakatsi’s ecological forestry and restoration projects. Work will be proportioned between the field and office, as needed, on a project-by-project basis. Duties are performed under the prioritization of Lomakatsi’s leadership team.

Program Areas

• Ecological Monitoring Program Management
• Restoration Program Development
• Collaborative Partnership Engagement
• Silvicultural Prescriptions
• Stewardship Initiative and Project Management
• ArcGIS Mapping and Database Management
• Funding Acquisition, Technical Proposal Writing
• Program and Project Budget Management

Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage and oversee Ecological Monitoring and Restoration Forestry programs staff, including 2-4 Restoration Technicians who will be direct reports to this position
• Work with partners to provide technical assistance in project development, planning, management, fine-scale ecological treatment design, monitoring, and implementation for ecosystem restoration projects
• Oversee the Ecological Monitoring Program, including managing the collection, processing and analysis of field data—as it pertains to prescription development, databases and reporting—by working with technical field staff in conducting forest inventories
• Prepare Forest Stewardship and Conservation Activity Plans, working with state and federal agencies, private landowners, and community members during restoration project development and planning
• Utilize ArcGIS to produce maps for restoration projects and co-manage associated databases
• Develop silvicultural and vegetation management prescriptions including mechanical treatment and/or prescribed fire (burn plans) for terrestrial restoration in a variety of plant associations
• Work with the leadership team and attend partner meetings to assist in the development of Stewardship and Cooperative Agreements
• Assist the Implementation Specialist with design of restoration-focused commercial thinning projects, and interpreting and developing complex ecologically-based silvicultural prescriptions Prepare status reports and other documents related to restoration projects
• Prepare technical documents and assist in proposal writing and funding acquisition for restoration forestry programs
• Provide site specific technical assistance, oversight, and consultation to Lomakatsi’s Restoration Technicians, Crew Managers, and subcontractor labor representatives

Qualifications, Experience and Skills

• Minimum of BS degree in Forestry, Forest Ecology or Natural Resources, with MS degree preferred
• At least 5 years of field work experience in applied forestry, with restoration-based forestry experience preferred
• Excellent writing skills and high degree of experience in proposal development
• Competent in the use of technical forestry equipment including GPS, ArcGIS, navigation, data gathering/processing, Relaskop, compass, increment borer, densitometer, and clinometer
• Project management and personnel supervision experience
• Excellent communication skills
• Experience with Microsoft Office—including Outlook, Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint—and work performed in a network environment
• Experience with Esri ArcGIS
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team
• Possession of a valid driver’s license
• Ability to orient, navigate, and hike in rough terrain using map, compass, and GPS
• Ability to identify native trees and shrubs
• Flexibility to work variable hours depending on project needs
• Detail-oriented, well organized, and able to juggle multiple priorities
• Ability to self-direct and take initiative
• Leadership skills along with a collaborative and collegial work style
• Ability to interact with diverse staff, community members and partners with kindness and Integrity—must be culturally agile
• Ability to think strategically about planning and management
• Spanish literacy a plus
• Experience working with Native American Tribes, traditional indigenous leaders, and tribal communities a plus

Benefits Package

Lomakatsi strives to provide competitive salaries and benefits within the nonprofit community.

• Salary $70,000 to $90,000 DOE
• Paid medical and dental plan
• Paid vacation
• 401K retirement plan

About Us

Lomakatsi is a non-profit organization that develops and implements forest and watershed restoration initiatives, programs and projects throughout Oregon and Northern California. Our mission is to restore ecosystems and the sustainability of communities, cultures, and economies. For over 28 years, Lomakatsi has implemented ecosystem restoration projects across thousands of acres of forests and miles of streams. We work closely with federal, tribal, state, municipal and non-profit partners to build innovative, collaborative stewardship initiatives across all-lands. Lomakatsi is currently managing eight landscape-scale terrestrial and aquatic restoration agreements with projects in various stages of development, working across watersheds in two states and ten counties. Our science-based restoration work enhances wildlife habitat, helps safeguard ecosystem services, and reduced the risk of wildfire to communities. We serve as a lead partner and sponsor on several nationally-recognized projects and initiatives.

Lomakatsi also brings added capacity to address socio-economic challenges for rural forest- and rangeland-based communities, by layering in our education, tribal partnerships, and workforce training and development programs into initiatives and projects. Through the operation of 10 programs, our staff of restoration practitioners, foresters, ecologists, workforce trainers and educators work to increase community understanding and involvement in forest and watershed restoration. Learn more at https://lomakatsi.org/.