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Central Cascades Field Forester

This job is no longer available

Cle Elum, WA, USA
Full-time

 

The Central Cascades Field Forester is responsible for executing forest stewardship and management activities on The Nature Conservancy’s Central Cascades forest holdings (40,000 acres) and on adjacent public lands, including those owned by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Washington Department of Natural Resources and the United States Forest Service.

Areas of Responsibility: 

The Field Forester works closely with staff, partners, and contractors to restore forest health and stream habitat at a landscape scale in the Central Cascades while also striving to deliver social and economic benefits to the surrounding community. They may also assist, as needed, with forest management on the Conservancy’s or Partner’s forest holdings in the Willapa Bay or the Olympics Rainforest areas where the Conservancy manages approx. 35,000 acres.  They work closely with a Washington forest management team to carry out the following essential functions: 

Land Management & Forestry
Plan, implement and monitor forest restoration projects on Conservancy and public lands including commercial thinning and pre-commercial thinning, reforestation, fish habitat improvement, fuels reduction and prescribed fire projects, invasive species monitoring and treatment, forest road improvements, road decommissioning, and road maintenance.

  • Collect field data on forest stand inventory and stream habitat conditions and may assist external scientific assessments.
  • Provide technical input to management plans, harvest prescriptions, road layout and engineering.
  • Implement property management activities, such as road, trail, and gate maintenance, garbage removal, and signing.
  • Support third-party audits for certification according to the Forest Stewardship Council’s standards.
  • Support management and reporting for a federal Habitat Conservation Plan covering the Central Cascades Forest.
  • Support Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data collection and management.
  • Maintain the Conservancy’s equipment, vehicles, and other resources.

Community Relations

  • Develop and foster strong community and partner relations. 
  • Process landowner use agreements and manage public access and recreational use as necessary.
  • Support the Washington Forest Manager and forest management team.

Project Management & Administration

  • Prepares, administers, and monitors contracts, and tracks spending against approved budgets.
  • Provides technical oversight for land management activities.
  • Writes proposals and reports progress and results of grant-funded projects.
  • Obtains necessary permits for forest management, harvest operations, and road maintenance and abandonment work.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE 

Level of Responsibility

  • This is a mid-level position that collaborates with senior staff to accomplish program goals.
  • Manages on-the-ground forestry operations primarily in the Central Cascades region.
  • This position reports to the Washington Forest Manager, and may supervise interns or volunteers.

Within the scope of this position, the Central Cascades Field Forester will:

  • Oversee forestry, logging, and heavy equipment contractors and ensure work is performed to meet TNC specifications.
  • Support the Washington Forest Manager and forest management team and build strong relationships with forest management partners.
  • Ensure program compliance with the Conservancy’s internal policies and values.
  • Perform tasks with minimal supervision and make independent decisions based on analysis, experience and judgment.

Work Environment and Schedule

  • This position often works in harsh weather conditions, at remote locations, on steep, difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.
  • This position often requires extended and/or varied work hours, including work outside of normal business hours and on weekends.
  • This is a field-based position with approximately 60% of the work occurring outside in the forest environment.
  • Overnight travel will be required for this position, primarily within Washington State.
Educational Background: 
Associate’s degree and 5 years’ experience in natural resource management OR Bachelor’s degree and 3 years’ experience in natural resource management OR equivalent combination of education and experience.
Skills/Experience: 
  • 3 years’ experience managing active logging projects, or commercial thinning and heavy equipment contractors.
  • Experience using ArcView GIS, GPS, data loggers, and proficiency in Microsoft Office (i.e., Word, Excel, and Power Point) software. 
  • Experience completing multiple tasks independently with respect to timeline(s), budgets and deliverables. 
  • Must have valid driver's license and experience operating four-wheel drive vehicles on remote forest roads.
  • Communication skills via written, spoken and graphical means in English and other relevant languages 
  • Experience communicating and negotiate under stressful situations with contractors, partners, forest users, and community members. 

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Knowledge and experience with forest restoration, fire management, and stream restoration in dry-mesic inland forests of California, Oregon, Idaho, Washington, or the Rocky Mountains. 
  • Experience in writing and managing contracts and grants for forestry work. 
  • Experience tracking finances and managing budgets. Self-starting, independent worker who can thrive in a decentralized organization.
  • Relationship building skills to work closely with a variety of partners, e.g., contractors, government officials, scientists, donors, tribes and the local community. 
  • Multi-lingual and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated. 
  • Experience with forest timber cruising and inventory techniques following common forest mensuration methods.
  • Current Washington Department of Agriculture pesticide applicator license or ability to obtain. 
  • Experience safely using and maintaining tools and equipment, including power and construction tools, chain saws, brush cutters, backpack sprayers, 4-wheel drive and all-terrain vehicles (ATV’s).
Compensation/Benefits: 

The Nature Conservancy offers competitive compensation, 401k or savings-plan matching for eligible employees, excellent benefits, flexible work policies and a collaborative work environment. We also provide professional development opportunities and promote from within. As a result, you will find a culture that supports and inspires conservation achievement and personal development, both within the workplace and beyond.

Estimated starting salary: $50,000 - $56,500 annually, dependent on qualifications and experience.

Organization Info

Nature Conservancy

Overview
Headquarters: 
Arlington, VA, United States
Annual Budget : 
More than $500M
Founded: 
1954
About Us
Mission: 

The mission of The Nature Conservancy is to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends.

Our vision is a world where the diversity of life thrives, and people act to conserve nature for its own sake and its ability to fulfill our needs and enrich our lives.

How do we achieve this mission and vision?

Through the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff, including more than 600 scientists, all of whom impact conservation in 69 countries.

With the help of our many partners, from individuals and governments to local nonprofits and corporations.

By using a non-confrontational, collaborative approach and staying true to our five unique core values.

That's how The Nature Conservancy has done more than anyone else to advance conservation around the world since our founding in 1951.

Listing Stats

Post Date: 
Aug 13 2019
Active Until: 
Sep 13 2019
Hiring Organization: 
Nature Conservancy
industry: 
Nonprofit