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

About the position

The State Lands Forester position, classified as a Natural Resource Specialist 2 (NRS2) or NRS1 (In-Training), is a full-time, permanent role within the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in Washington State. This position is responsible for managing, sustaining, and protecting the health and productivity of Washington's forests and lands. The role involves providing senior-level forestry expertise, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations, and fostering community relations. The position requires a combination of fieldwork and office tasks, with opportunities for flexible and hybrid work arrangements.

Responsibilities

• Develop harvest designs using professional experience and GIS.
• Research timber sales paper plans utilizing field observations and GIS.
• Locate and classify streams and wetlands according to regulations.
• Delineate timber sale boundaries that comply with policies and regulations.
• Collect data for timber sale boundaries and other relevant features using GPS and software.
• Identify and layout road locations for practical and maintainable forest roads.
• Assess leave tree areas using on-the-ground observations and regulations knowledge.
• Create standardized final map products using GIS and local mapping protocols.
• Complete necessary permitting and paperwork for timber sale documents.
• Foster good working relations with the community and adjacent landowners.

Requirements

• An associate degree in forest management or related natural resource field; OR a combination of equivalent education and/or experience.
• Knowledge of general forest management theory and practices.
• Knowledge of basic mensuration, forest biology, and silviculture.
• Computer skills including MS Word, MS Excel, ARC-GIS, and ARC-View.
• Experience using GPS devices and navigating using various tools.
• Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.

Nice-to-haves

• Bachelor's degree in forestry including silviculture and mensuration.
• One year of professional forestry experience.
• Knowledge of Policy for Sustainable Forests and related agency policies.
• Experience with logging and forest road construction equipment.

Benefits

• Employer contributions toward health insurance
• Paid holidays
• Retirement plans
• Sick leave and vacation days
• Professional development opportunities
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Eligibility