South Alpine Forester, Natural Resource Specialist 2 (NRS2)

South Alpine Forester, Natural Resource Specialist 2 (NRS2)
Recruitment #2024-1-7154
Full-time, Permanent, Represented position
Location flexibility may be available and considered: Southeast Region-Naches or Yakima, WA.
Relocation Compensation may be available and considered
Salary: $4,174.00 – $5,615.00 Monthly 

CLOSING DATE EXTENDED! Review of applications is ongoing. We reserve the right to make a hiring decision or close this recruitment at any time after 2/15/24. It is in your best interest to submit materials as soon as possible. 

Want to join something GREAT and make a difference?
Are you interested in a career that allows you to manage forested landscapes to promote a healthier ecosystem, quality wildlife habitat, and long-term sustainability? The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is looking for a Forester (Natural Resource Specialist 2) to assist in the management of State trust forest lands in east/central Washington.

The South Alpine Forester is responsible for project management and planning of commercial timber harvest, silvicultural projects, and fuels treatments on DNR-managed lands within Yakima and parts of Kittitas counties. This position develops management plans based on all state and federal regulations to support habitat, ecological, and revenue-generating objectives. This requires an individual to be creative and who works well individually and as part of a team in remote areas. This position also has the ability to assist the Wildfire program in response to wildfires.

Responsibilities:

• Ensures both operability and feasibility of harvest units by developing a logging plan using GIS, LIDAR, aerial photos, field observations, and maps through consultation with engineers, other foresters, and the unit forester for presales, road layout, and harvest plan implementation.
• Creates silvicultural prescriptions by reviewing and analyzing similar stand prescriptions and utilizing Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Land Resource Manager (LRM) software, forest practice rules, and field observations while consulting with silviculture specialists to devise a plan to successfully manage stands for long-term sustainability.
• Fosters good working relations with the community and adjacent landowners by being transparent about DNR operations and consulting with adjacent landowners and external stakeholders through various means including; field site visits, and written and oral communication.
• Resolves property line discrepancies, trespasses, cost-share agreements, and access for state lands projects, by consulting with rights-of-way staff, region engineering staff, and local landowners.
• Produces professional documentation that complies with all state and federal regulations and completes all necessary project permitting and paperwork including Forest Practice Applications (FPA), State Environmental Policy Act checklists (SEPA), and HCP checklists. Provides these for review by supervisor, management, and/or Responsible Official.
• Evaluates current and future stand needs to ensure necessary silvicultural treatments are properly scheduled, budgeted, and executed, and assess the success or failure of completed activities using professional experience and knowledge of silvicultural prescriptions, plant biology, site productivity, and forest health. Uses production software to organize and track silvicultural treatments.
• Ensures environmental, social, political, and department objectives are met and any problems or complications are addressed through coordination and consultation with resource specialists (silviculturalist, geologist, biologist, etc.), forest practices, and/or Timber Fish and Wildlife (TFW) partner agency staff. Facilitates consultation through the use of HCP guidance and internal and external policies and rules.
• Achieves habitat goals of the Policy for Sustainable Forests and HCP through planning, assessment, and implementation of treatments that will incorporate long-term forest health, multi-rotational timelines, enduring stand resiliency, and potential future use.
• Communicates contractual requirements, notes and corrects any deficiencies observed or recorded, and addresses any concerns expressed by the public, co-workers, contractors, internal and external stakeholders, and regulators by utilizing clear written and oral communication, interpersonal skills, meeting facilitation, and public outreach.
• Ensures contractual obligations are understood by contractors and compliance staff and have reasonable and achievable results.

Required Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in forestry, natural resources management, or closely related field AND 2 years of professional forestry experience
  OR an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
• Familiar with theory, policy, principles, and practices of the forestry profession as applied to the Northwestern United States (i.e., fundamentals of silviculture of Northwest species, markets and economics, cruising methods, sales layout, logging methods, engineering, plant nutrition, propagation and weed control, reforestation and intensive forest practices, recreation, multiple use, inventory, water quality, watershed management, and basic principles of fisheries management).
• Familiar with developing forest management objectives and timber management planning in practice, and as it relates to associated agency policies and rules.
• Familiar with forest mensuration and survey tools such as GPS, laser measurement devices, compass, clinometer, and other forestry equipment.
• Familiar with software including ArcGIS, cruising software, standard office (Word, Excel, etc.) programs, and mobile devices.
• Timber sales contract preparation and administration experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.