Reforestation Forester

Mendocino Forest Products Company•Fort Bragg, CA

11d•Onsite

About The Position

Mendocino Redwood Company is seeking an experienced Reforestation Forester for its forestry team based in Fort Bragg, California. This exempt position plans, coordinates, and oversees reforestation activities from site preparation and planting through establishment of free-to-grow stands. The role covers vegetation management, planting-material sourcing, monitoring reforestation results, and ensuring forest productivity and sustainability. Work must be performed safely, comply with applicable laws and regulations, support company financial and operational objectives, and align with company values and Forest Stewardship Council certification requirements. The position oversees planting and vegetation-management contractors but does not directly supervise them. It also supports forestry operations through training, tours, project coordination, procurement, and assistance with timber-harvest planning and return-on-investment analyses as time and direction allow. The role is based in Fort Bragg and involves extensive outdoor fieldwork, rugged terrain, and regular local travel. The stated base salary range is $72,000 to $84,000. The final salary depends on factors including geographic location, skills, education, and experience. Applications are accepted until the position is filled, but no later than June 2027.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in forestry or a related field.
California Registered Professional Forester (RPF) license and California Pest Control Advisor (PCA) license, or ability to qualify for and take the RPF exam and obtain the PCA license within two years of hire.
Valid driver’s license and eligibility to operate a company vehicle under company policy.
Strong knowledge of California Forest Practices and Department of Pesticide Regulation rules.
Ability to work without supervision and manage multiple projects in a timely manner.
Good leadership and supervisory skills, and ability to maintain positive working relationships with company groups, state agencies, and concerned citizen groups.
Project experience involving planting, burning, pesticide use, pre-commercial thinning, and tree-improvement technology.
Knowledge of or proficiency with Geographic Information Systems, spreadsheets, and database software.
Ability to traverse uneven, steep, rugged terrain for extended distances.
Ability to stand, bend, kneel, climb, and move materials weighing up to 50 pounds.
Ability to safely operate or use hand tools, forestry equipment, and standard office equipment.
Ability to work outdoors for extended periods and work additional hours as operational needs require.
Vision abilities including close, distance, color, and peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
Manual dexterity to operate forestry tools and equipment, including chainsaws, hand tools, and data-collection devices.

Responsibilities

Promote a safe work environment, oversee safety programs, and develop Job Safety Analysis procedures for forestry-related hazards.
Develop and implement cost-effective vegetation-management prescriptions to control competing vegetation in young conifer stands; plan and budget work, ensure safety, inspect and monitor treatments, map activities, obtain government permits, update databases, and conduct experimentation.
Oversee planting and replanting to achieve desired stocking levels of appropriate conifers in compliance with California Forest Practice Act standards and company standards; plan and budget work, ensure safety, inspect and monitor work, map activities, update databases, and conduct experimentation.
Oversee or advise area managers and Registered Professional Foresters on site-preparation methods, potentially including broadcast or prescribed burning, brush piling, and soil ripping.
Conduct systematic surveys of random planting projects to assess company goals and compliance with California Forest Practice Act stocking standards; evaluate treatment efficacy, planting performance against financial expectations, clone performance, and the need for additional stand treatments.
Plan and oversee pre-commercial thinning in overstocked stands, including safety, planning, budgeting, contracting, conformance inspections, database updates, and experimentation.
Continue and expand the company tree-improvement program, including oversight and maintenance of hedge farms, clone collection and propagation, testing clone outplants, and coordinating with outside vendors and partners.
Conduct Federal Worker Protection Safety Standards training for employees and contractors.
Plan and conduct tours and address groups interested in company programs.
Coordinate with the Forestry department to support integrated, cost-effective project execution.
Assist the Forestry department with Timber Harvesting Plan preparation as time allows.
Purchase materials and equipment for projects.
Assist with return-on-investment analyses as directed.
Oversee subcontractors performing tree planting and vegetation-management projects without directly supervising them.