Presales Forester, Natural Resource Specialist 2 (NRS2)/NRS1 In-Training

Presales Forester, Natural Resource Specialist 2 (NRS2)/NRS1 In-Training
Recruitment #2024-2-2133
Full-time, Permanent, Represented position
Location flexibility may be available and considered: Northwest Region- Arlington or Granite Falls, WA 
Work Hours and Partial Telework flexibility may be available and considered
Salary: $3,700.00 – $5,615.00 Monthly 

Want to join something GREAT and make a difference?
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has an exciting opportunity within our Northwest Region. The successful applicant will become part of a team of outstanding natural resources professionals dedicated to the sustainable management of DNR trust lands and our fiduciary responsibilities to the trust beneficiates, and the development of restoration projects on federal lands through the Good Neighbor Authority. This position provides forestry expertise on DNR-managed state lands and federal lands to achieve agency goals and deliverables. Sustaining long-term ecosystem protection and productivity is achieved through careful planning, diligent project management, and active coordination of input from specialists and stakeholders.  The economic viability of these working forests will be maintained by robust communication and teamwork to maintain or enhance revenue-generating activities on trust lands. This position helps the Northwest Region achieve its mission through strong leadership, thoughtful decision-making, and excellent planning. The incumbent plans, coordinates, and manages timber sales and silvicultural activities on trust land, under the guidance of a unit forester. This position works in the office and in the field, implementing DNR policies and procedures including the Habitat Conservation Plan (1997), Policy for Sustainable Forests (2006), relevant WACs including the Forest Practices Rules, and the Multiple Use Concept (RCW 79.10.120).Duties

Responsibilities:

• Research and analyze the operability and feasibility of harvest units. Develop a timber harvest plan using GIS, LIDAR, logging system analysis software, aerial photos, field observations, and maps and consult with engineers, other foresters, and the unit forester to implement prudent harvest systems and road locations.  
• Foster positive, professional working relations with community members and adjacent landowners and be transparent about our operations.  Communicate and negotiate with adjacent landowners and external stakeholders through various means including public meetings, and field site visits, and use written and oral communication strategies to outreach regarding planned projects, clarify property line discrepancies, discuss cost-share agreements, and discuss access for state lands projects.  
• Implement Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) requirements and Policy for Sustainable Forest (PSF) requirements such as legacy cohorts and sensitive area protections like potentially unstable slopes, riparian areas, old growth, and cultural resources, all while maintaining a feasible harvest operation by coordinating site visits and consulting with biologists, geologists, archeologists, and silviculturists.  
• Analyze and ensure all planned sale units are safe, meet economic and fiduciary requirements, complement long-term watershed and landscape objectives, and protect or mitigate environmental concerns. Harvest units will be examined and selected by analyzing ecological constraints, economic constraints, and social constraints.
• Appropriately assess, classify, delineate, and buffer all waters and wetlands within and adjacent to the harvest area.  Field observations, LIDAR, biologist consultation, and informal training will be utilized to apply the appropriate buffers per the department’s Habitat Conservation Plan, Policy for Sustainable Forests, and Forest Practices Rules.
• Delineate a timber sale boundary that allows for feasible harvest operations that comply with all policies, rules, and regulations.  GPS points will be collected to create shapefiles in GIS. The HCP, Forest Practices Rules, and all other applicable rules and regulations will be followed and specialists will be consulted.
• Use GPS to collect data for boundaries, streams, wetlands, leave trees, and road locations. Flag and traverse new forest road locations that comply with all rules and regulations. Consultation with specialists, including engineers, geologists, and forest practices foresters is required and projects will utilize LiDAR, GIS, and specialized roads training and forestry equipment such as the GPS, clinometer, compass, maps, string box, and laser to achieve this objective.  
• Create final professional-level timber sale packet and maps that comply with all state and federal regulations and department protocols. Using professional experience, complete all necessary documentation and paperwork (maps, notices, contracts) while reviewing previously completed documents for similar projects.

Qualifications

This may be filled as an in-training position. This is designated as a 12-24 month training plan. If you complete all elements of the training steps in a shorter amount of time, we may waive the remainder of the time required. Candidates will be considered as Natural Resource Specialist 1 (NRS2 In-Training) or Natural Resource Specialist 2, depending on qualifications.

Natural Resource Specialist 1 (NRS2 In-Training)  
(Salary range: $3,700 – $4,968 per month):

• Associate degree in forestry, natural resources, environmental science, or similar area of study and one year of experience in a natural resource field
  OR a combination of education and/or experience equivalent.
• Knowledge of laws, policies, and practices related to timber harvesting.
• Knowledge of timber and land management planning and practices.
• Knowledge of timber sale and silvicultural contracts.
• Written and verbal communication skills.

Natural Resource Specialist 2  
(Salary range: $4,174-$5,615 per month):

• Bachelor’s degree in forestry, natural resources, environmental science, or similar area of study and one year of experience in a natural resource field OR a combination of education and/or experience equivalent.
• Experience with timber sale boundary identification and marking, critical features identification and marking, and plot data gathering.
• Knowledge of forest management principles, silvicultural prescriptions, and timber harvesting operations.
• Knowledge of the Washington Forest Practices Rules.
• Knowledge of timber harvesting systems (including cable systems) and forest road construction principles.
• Knowledge of timber sale and silvicultural contract administration.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.