Service Forestry Specialist, Natural Resource Specialist 2 (NRS2)

State of Washington • Clark County – Other, WA

13h • $4,517 - $6,075 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has an exciting opportunity within our Pacific Cascade Region as a Service Forestry Specialist. The mission of DNR is to manage, sustain, and protect the health and productivity of Washington’s lands and waters to meet the needs of present and future generations. DNR has an exciting opportunity within the Pacific Cascade Region’s Forest Resilience Program. This role is for someone who loves the outdoors and is passionate about restoring the ecology of forest ecosystems, enjoys working with diverse landowners and partners to find solutions in forest management, and is passionate about forestry and helping small landowners.

Requirements

• Associate degree in forestry, forestry education, or other closely related field AND (3) three years of field experience in forest management in the Pacific Northwest or similar environment; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in general forest management activities such as forest road design and construction, timber management planning, silviculture techniques, reforestation methods, and timber harvest boundaries.
• Experience using forestry tools such as measuring and hand tools.
• Proficient with computers, Microsoft Office applications, and SharePoint.
• Experience with Geographic Information Systems (GIS), including ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, Survey123, FieldMaps, and other mapping tools to document work and convey information to non-technical audiences.
• Accustomed to working independently.
• Accustomed to a high level of Time management.
• Effective oral and written communication skills and can convey messages clearly and persuasively.
• Excellent public speaking skills.
• Organizational management - has a strong understanding and ability to organize efficiently and the ability to develop or use systems for tracking implementation and accomplishments of several complex projects.
• Commitment to fostering and supporting an environment that honors diversity, equity, inclusion, and environmental justice practices.
• Perform assigned duties in a manner consistent with applicable laws, regulations, and public records retention, and requests are followed.
• Ability to walk over steep, uneven terrain in a variety of forest environments, year-round, statewide in a variety of weather conditions is required.
• Position requires extensive travel to provide technical expertise to landowners and occasional travel to meetings, training, and outreach events.
• Some overnight stays may be required.
• The ability to drive long distances in a variety of weather conditions, year-round, is required.
• A current, valid driver’s license and two years of driving experience.
• DNR requires state drivers to possess a license that is not suspended, revoked, or restricted (for example, Occupational/Restricted Driver Licenses or requiring ignition interlock devices).
• This position requires driving as an essential function.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor of Science in forestry, natural resources, or closely related field from an accredited program AND 2 years of field experience in forest management in the Pacific Northwest or similar environment.
• Working knowledge of silviculture and forest management practices in the Pacific Northwest or similar environment.
• Experience teaching or providing group presentations.
• Experience working in a positive, responsive, cooperative, collaborative manner with the public and other professionals (both inter-organizational and interdisciplinary).
• Experience with government procurement rules, contracting, and administration.
• Experience providing technical assistance, education, and educational materials to non-professional audiences, especially forest landowners.
• Current knowledge of Forest Practices rules; Forest Practices Board Manual guidance; and DNR Forest Practices policies, procedures, and practices.
• Previous experience working with small forest landowners.
• SAF Certified Forester and/or FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot certification.
• Valid Public Pest Consultant and Certified Tree Farm Inspector certification.

Responsibilities

• Solicit candidates for participation through formal and informal opportunities such as public education events, media opportunities, partner engagement, and other related activities.
• Accept and return phone, email, and other inquiries from forest landowners regarding financial assistance opportunities.
• Schedule site visits with landowners for on-the-ground review of their project area to ensure landowner objectives are compatible with program and funding criteria.
• Work with landowners to complete and submit all required documents such as financial assistance application, W-9, Statewide Vendor Form, etc.
• Review financial assistance applications for completeness, accuracy, and applicability to available funding sources.
• Incorporate landowner objectives into standard mitigation actions to develop property-specific land management prescriptions.
• Coordinate with the Service Forester in the development of site-specific resource management plans/reports and/or forest stewardship plans.
• Plan and prioritize assigned field work for fuels reduction and forest health; site-specific coordinate or facilitate contractor selection and ensure planned activities will meet all applicable agency guidance as well as State and federal requirements.
• Perform periodic progress checks to ensure compliance and take corrective actions if required.
• Perform sign-off inspection upon completion of work to determine if contractual obligations, goals of the program, and applicable conditions were met.
• Gather spatial data and other required attributes to accurately and completely catalog activities performed.
• Provide data to Service Foresters or others to facilitate aggregation for periodic accomplishment reports such as monthly and annual grant performance reports, final grant close-out accomplishment reports, quarterly performance measures, deliverable accomplishments, etc.
• Respond to and provide low-complexity technical expertise and advice to forest landowners regarding forest management practices, diagnosis and recommendations for forest health problems, animal damage and competing vegetation control, wildland fire risk reduction, and other resource issues and opportunities.
• Engage appropriate subject matter experts (Service Forester, entomologist, pathologist, wildlife biologist, Regulatory Assistance Forester, Service Forestry Coordinator, Community Resilience Specialist, etc.) when knowledge or experience level is exceeded.
• Provide technical specifications for forest management practices and silvicultural treatments.
• Monitor and report on treatment implementation.
• Deliver information and stories about service forestry work in assigned area to the public and DNR staff in coordination with supervisors and Communications staff.
• Coordinate with and provide consultation to other forest health improvement projects (such as organized by Planning, Science, and Monitoring or Cross-Boundary Restoration) within assigned work area as requested.
• Make educational presentations to family forest landowners, natural resource professionals who advise them, contractors, and other audiences regarding forestry topics.
• Author educational and informational articles on program-related topics for Stewardship Notes, Small Forest Landowner Newsletter, and other publications.
• Teach forestry-related topics for WSU Extension and other education programs including Forest Owners Field Days, Forest Stewardship Coached Planning Courses, Family Forest Advisors Workshops, Contract Trainings, Conservation Districts, colleges, and others across western WA.
• Participate in training, professional development, and continuing education to maintain credentials such as SAF Certified Forester, Certified Tree Farm Inspector, Public Pest Control Consultant, or others.
• Collaborate with staff to maintain and update knowledge related to technology, data collection, and other job duties.
• Complete special projects as assigned.
• Respond to informational requests for program information, accomplishment data, staff, and budget needs, etc.

Benefits

• Commitment to organizational health and wellness
• Work/life balance
• DNR Employee Resource Groups (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council, Women’s Employee Resource Group, Veterans Employee Resource Group, etc.)
• Statewide Employee Business Resource Groups
• Professional development opportunities
• Educational and career development aid
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Eligibility
• Opportunities to participate in wildland fire suppression assignments
• A comprehensive benefits package includes employer contributions toward health insurance, paid holidays, retirement plans, sick leave, and vacation days.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree