Full-Time/Permanent

 Forester – Natural Resource Specialist 3 – *02240-21

Wildlife Program – Lands – Land Stewardship and Operations

222 W. University Way, Ellensburg, WA 98807

WDFW staff comprise a talented and passionate group of people dedicated to protecting Washington’s Natural Resources.

This position provides forest project design and management on wildlife areas throughout Washington including forest management planning, project planning and project implementation.

Under the supervision of the Forest Management Team Lead, in Olympia, this position (Forester) supports the Department’s mission and goals by implementing sound ecological forest management within the constraints of policy, applicable legal requirements and applicable collective bargaining agreements.

This position independently develops, coordinates and implements forest management projects on wildlife areas throughout Washington consistent with the Management Strategy for the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Forests and wildlife area forest management plans where completed.  Treatments will occur in a wide variety of forest types but the majority of restoration projects are in fire dependent ponderosa pine and mixed dry conifer forests.

General duties include 1) developing and implementing forest restoration projects including commercial and pre-commercial thinning 2) inventorying forests and 3) developing/updating wildlife area specific forest management plans. In all cases, the forester must ensure compliance with applicable laws, rules, regulations and policies.

Serves as a designated expert within the Wildlife Program to provide statewide forest management and consultative services on wildlife areas including stand management, forest practices, timber sales and reforestation.

Primary duties may include but are not limited to:

Wildlife Area–Specific Forest Management Plan Development 

Tasks include: 

• Conducts research to identify historic ranges of variability, characterizes divergence from historic conditions and identifies desired future conditions.
• Quantifies timber volumes and values for areas where silvicultural treatments are warranted and viable.
• Develops both immediate and long-term strategies for restoring and maintaining desired future conditions.

Prioritizing and Implementation Strategy Development

Tasks include: 

Economic Analysis

Tasks include: 

Project Development and Implementation

Tasks include:

• Performs or coordinates completion of:  defining harvest units, locating boundaries, identifying harvest road access, designing roads, planning harvest systems, defining environmental prescriptions, (RMZ, leave trees, wetland considerations, wildlife mitigation, etc.).
• Completing required paper work (FPA, HPA, SEPA Checklist, EIS, Federal section 7 consultation/biological assessments, cultural resource reviews, etc.).
• Preparing contracts in cooperation with region staff, etc.  Incorporates complex sets of environmental, social/political, and operations issues into sale designs.
• Ensures that plans and projects are consistent with department policy and standards.
• Schedule and implement projects.
• Develop specific contractual prescriptions to implement the plan.
• While developing these contractual prescriptions, work with a wide range of individuals to ensure accomplishment of the planned activity.
• Coordinates internal project reviews via the Restoration Pathway process.
• Coordinated as needed with Department of Natural Resources staff, interest groups, industry and concerned individuals.
• Writes, advertises and administers contracts for timber sales, pre-commercial thinning, fuels management, road construction or repair, road maintenance, reforestation etc.
• Responsible for supervising contractors, monitoring timber volumes and slips, managing budgets including revenue/costs of timber sales and ensuring successful reforestation.
• Contract administration.   Responsible for supervising contractors, monitoring timber volumes and scale slips, managing project budgets including revenue/costs of timber sales and ensuring successful reforestation.

Evaluate the effectiveness of forest habitat manipulation strategies.

Tasks include: 

• Utilize ecological integrity monitoring approaches to evaluate project effects.
• Conduct tree seedling stocking surveys to ensure compliance with Forest Practices reforestation standards.
• Evaluates wildlife benefits as necessary.

 Interagency coordination. 

Tasks include: 

• Represents WDFW on interagency forums, such as the Tapash Collaborative, and in independent efforts with individual entities such as the USFS, BLM, DNR etc. to help promote coordinated or collaborative efforts for data sharing, project implementation and landscape level treatment.
• Evaluates research results for application on WDFW projects.

Other duties as assigned.

Tasks include: 

Working Conditions

Working setting, including hazards:  

Schedule:   

Tools and Equipment:  

• Forest management tools including relaskops, laser range finders, clinometers, diameter tapes, chainsaws, axes, drip torches, and power tools.
• ATV’s and snowmobiles may be used to access remote areas.

 Travel Requirements:  

 License:

• A valid unrestricted driver’s license.
• ATV Certification (training provided).

 Customer Interactions:

Or

And

Experience and competencies

• Two year of professional forest management experience.
• Knowledge of current forest management strategies and timber management planning.
• Working knowledge of Forest Practices rules and other regulatory laws and practices.
• Experience with logging and forest road construction equipment.
• Ability to inspect, instruct and work with contract crews to ensure compliance with contract(s).
• Ability to navigate and take measurements using GPS, maps, aerial photos, compass, clinometer, relaskop, radio, and laser rangefinder.
• Ability to traverse unit boundaries and accurately create a map.
• Proficient computer skills including MS Word, MS Excel, ARC-GIS ARC-View, with aptitude for learning new software programs.

Behavioral competencies:

• Creative and innovative thinking.
• Communication effectiveness.
• Organizational and political awareness.
• Adaptability and flexibility.
• Accountability.
• Leadership.
• Ethics and integrity.

Preferred/Desired work experience:

• Understanding and/or experience developing and implementing forest restoration projects (commercial and non-commercial) for wildlife habitat, forest health, wildfire risk abatement and hazard reduction.
• Experience in young stand establishment (tree planting) and maintenance (pre-commercial thinning).
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Understanding and/or experience with prescribed burning planning, preparation and implementation.
• Demonstrated ability to present proposed projects to public user (stakeholder) groups in a public meeting venue.
• Possess good listening and speaking skills, with the goal of positive interactions with neighboring landowners.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise high caliber skills in written communication.
• Record of accomplishments demonstrating strong project development and management skills.
• Observational and analytical skills to detect and assess problems in field settings, and ability to develop practical solutions to those problems.
• Experience with the operation and maintenance of essential equipment used in this position (various hand and power tools).
• Tree felling certification*
• Understanding or experience of grant application process
• National Wildfire Coordinating Group PM-310-1 Red Card certified or able to meet certifications*
• General understanding of Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife – Lands Division policies and procedures
• Certification as a cultural resources’ technician*
• Ability to safely operate motor vehicles on primitive roads and in inclement weather, including snow.

(* The successful candidate will be provided the necessary training to obtain this required certification).

In order to successfully apply for this position you MUST complete your profile at www.careers.wa.gov and attach the following to your profile before completing the online application:

• A detailed cover letter describing how you meet the qualifications for this position.  Please ensure your application reflects this experience.
• A chronological resume profile that includes education and employment history.
• Detailed responses to all supplemental questions.
• Three professional references.

NOTE:
The Department of Fish and Wildlife’s priority during the Covid-19 health crisis is to keep our staff, candidates, and the public safe.  We are hiring and encourage you to apply to open positions.  Many of our staff are currently working from home; we have transitioned to a virtual recruitment process, to include web-based interviews.

Learn about our agency and the perks of working for WDFW!
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has some of the most talented people in the natural resource field.  We celebrate and value diversity, appreciating that a workforce composed of those from different backgrounds and experiences creates an inclusive environment, strengthens positive relationships with the local community, and brings new perspectives and approaches to fulfilling the agency’s mission. We value demonstrated skill in living WDFW values of professionalism, accountability, empathy, integrity, service, and respect.

WDFW employees may be eligible for the following:
Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS),   Vacation, Sick, and other Leave, 11 Paid Holidays per year, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver,   Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP),  Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Employee Assistance Program, Commute Trip Reduction Incentives (Download PDF reader), Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth.

Union – WAFWP
This position is in the bargaining unit represented by the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals and is subject to the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the State of Washington, Department of Fish & Wildlife, and the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals.”

 

VETERAN PREFERENCE NOTICE: 
To take advantage of veteran preference, please do the following:

• Email a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22 or USDVA signed verification of service letter to RecruitmentTeam@dfw.wa.gov.
• Subject line should include recruitment number, position and Vet (for example: #10155 Biologist 1 – Veteran)
• Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov

MILITARY SPOUSE PREFERENCE NOTICE: 
To take advantage of military spouse preference, please do the following:

• Notify us of your military spouse status by email at RecruitmentTeam@dfw.wa.gov. 
• Subject line should include recruitment number, position and MS (for example: #10155 Biologist 1 – MS)
• Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov