State Forest Geneticist, Natural Resource Scientist 4 (NRSci4)

State of Washington•Thurston County – Olympia, WA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has an exciting opportunity within our Forest Resources Division as the State Forest Geneticist. This role is crucial for maintaining healthy, productive, and diverse forests. The Forest Geneticist works closely with the Seed Center and Nursery to ensure a reliable and genetically appropriate seed supply for State forests. The position provides leadership within the Department on the management of forest genetic resources, especially as it relates to reforestation decisions. As adaptation to climate change becomes a larger focus, this work increasingly requires regional collaboration across administrative boundaries. The Department manages 2.1 million acres of State forest land, which includes a wide variety of forest types. The position directly supervises 4 full-time employees while leading a staff of 8.

Requirements

Master’s degree in forest genetics or silviculture, with graduate-level coursework in forest genetics and tree breeding, AND (4) four years of professional experience working in a forest genetics breeding and testing program or a forest seed orchard; OR an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
Experience with experimental design, measurement, and analysis of research results related to forest genetics and seed production.
Experience managing data, analyzing data, and/or scripting using MS Access, R, SAS, Python, or other software.
Operational experience with forest regeneration.
Reason logically, draw valid conclusions, and make recommendations.
Communicate ideas clearly and effectively through speaking and writing.
Commitment to fostering and supporting an environment that honors diversity, equity, inclusion, and environmental justice practices.
Perform assigned duties in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and public records retention requirements, and ensure requests for public records are followed.
Ability to work alone in remote locations and in inclement weather.
Arduous physical tasks, including hiking long distances on difficult terrain, sometimes carrying heavy objects.
Occasional overnight travel throughout the state can be frequent during peak seasons.
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.
Finalists and/or interview candidates will be asked to provide a driving record from all states in which they have held a license during the past three years.

Nice To Haves

Three years of supervisory experience, ideally including supervision of first-line supervisors.
Familiarity with forest types and practices common in the Pacific Northwest.
PhD in forest genetics or silviculture, ideally with graduate-level coursework in forest genetics and tree breeding. A PhD counts for 2 years of the required experience.
A Washington state pesticide handler’s license.

Responsibilities

Provides leadership in Washington for the forest genetics research cooperatives, with emphasis on the Douglas-fir tree breeding and testing program.
Represents DNR in regional forest genetics research cooperatives and other forums related to forest genetics.
Develops testing goals (tree species and areas) and experimental parameters (what traits will be emphasized and measured) and builds support among cooperators for these decisions.
Develops test installation and maintenance procedures, and trains and supervises staff in this work.
Develops and maintains seed orchard capacity for species and seed zones needed to support DNR’s operational planting program.
Determines for which species and areas seed orchards will be established.
Works cooperatively with other landowners to support adequate regional seed production and supply.
Analyzes results from research trials to decide which trees to include in seed orchards.
Designs orchard layout and composition.
Conducts surveys and analyzes results from trials to inform innovation of new techniques and methods for improving yields and quality.
Trains and oversees staff in orchard management techniques.
Develops climate change adaptation strategies relevant to DNR’s reforestation operations.
Develops experimental designs and implements research studies to evaluate potential changes to seed source choices to adjust to climate change.
Participates both internally and externally in multidisciplinary efforts to develop effective adaptation strategies.
Decides upon adjustments to the genetics program needed to implement adaptation strategies.
Devises and implements the gene conservation strategy for forest trees on State Lands.
Makes decisions about orchard composition to ensure sufficient conservation of genetic diversity to support the agency’s mission.
Monitors the integrity of the Gene Pool Reserve (GPR) system.
Considers additional approaches to support gene conservation across the agency’s entire forested land base.
Consults with DNR staff of all levels and external partners on questions related to forest genetics and seed source management.
Assists with determining structure and guidelines for managing seed source choices.
Provides advice regarding seed transfer when seedling availability precludes using preferred choices.
Advises upper managers when questions come up related to genetics and seed source.
Gives presentations on forest genetics to both internal and external audiences.
Develops biennial budget, approves expenditures, and monitors spending to ensure adherence to approved budget.
Hires, trains, supervises, and evaluates direct reports.

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
Leadership that empowers and supports employees
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.