Teanaway Forester, Natural Resource Specialist 2
Recruitment #2021-04-7633
This is a Full-time, Permanent, Represented position.

Want to join something GREAT and make a difference?
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has an exciting opportunity within our Southeast Region. Are you a forester that is looking to be on the cutting edge of Washington State’s forest health initiatives? Do you want to work in one of the most beloved watersheds in WA, and are motivated by making positive impacts to your local communities? The Washington State Department of Natural Resources is looking for an experienced forester to step into the Teanaway Forester role.

This position provides professional level forestry expertise on DNR uplands managed for current and future citizens for the state to 1) sustain long-term ecosystem and economic viability; and 2) ensure long-term access to the forest lands and the benefits derived from them. This position helps Southeast region achieve the mission through cooperation, thoughtful decision making, and excellent planning.

The Teanaway Forester is responsible for creating and overseeing silvicultural projects in the Teanaway Community Forest. This position is unique in that it’s geographical work boundaries sit in the heart of Washington. The Teanaway Forester touches all aspects of Eastern Washington land management including responsibilities for recommending treatment options for both forest and range resiliency.

Responsibilities:

• Creates silvicultural prescriptions by reviewing and analyzing similar stand prescriptions and utilizing GIS, LRM, forest practice rules, and field observations while consulting with silviculture specialists to devise a plan to successfully manage stands for long-term sustainability.
• Ensures both operability and feasibility of harvest units by developing a logging plan using GIS, LIDAR, aerial photos, field observations, and maps through consultation with engineers, other foresters, and the unit forester for the purpose of presales, road layout, and harvest plan implementation.
• Produces professional documentation that complies with all state and federal regulations and completes all necessary project permitting and paperwork (FPA. SEPA), for review of supervisor, management, and/or Responsible Official, by utilizing excellent technical writing skills and review of previously completed documents.
• Analyzes data from models and inventory to evaluate proper silviculture treatments including reforestation and timely vegetation management to achieve acceptable survival, site occupancy and maximum tree growth rates.
• Uses professional experience, judgement, and knowledge of silvicultural prescriptions, plant biology, tree growth and physiology, site productivity, forest stand dynamics, and forest health, to plan and execute proper plot and sample design and measurement techniques for the collection of accurate survey data.
• Achieves habitat goals of the Teanaway Community Forest Mangement Plan through planning, assessment, and implementation of treatments that will incorporate long-term forest health, multi-rotational timelines, enduring stand resiliency, and potential future use.
• Communicates contractual requirements, notes and corrects any deficiencies observed or recorded, and addresses any concerns expressed by the public, co-workers, contractors, internal and external stakeholders, and regulators by utilizing clear written and oral communication, interpersonal skills, meeting facilitation, and public outreach.
• Builds and maintains public/private partnerships with the TCF user groups, regional recreational and outdoor interest groups.
• Ensures contractual obligations are understood by contractors and compliance staff and have reasonable and achievable results.

Required Qualifications: 

• Knowledge and experience with eastside forest management objectives and silvicultural practices.
• Knowledge of Agency policies and Forest Practices requirements for wetland and stream delineation for eastern Washington.
• Experience using forest measurement instruments such as compass, clinometer, GPS, laser rangefinder, etc.
• Knowledge of contracting procedures.
• Harvest unit and forest road layout experience,.
• Experience working independently or as part of a team on assigned tasks.
• Efficient in computer programs including Microsoft Suite and ArcGIS.
• Ability to work on uneven terrain in all weather conditions.
• The incumbent in this position is required to travel.
• A valid driver’s license and have two years of driving experience. This position requires driving as an essential function. Finalists and/or interview candidates may be asked to provide a driving record from all states in which they have held a license during the past three years.

Our ideal candidate will also have the qualifications listed below:

• Bachelor’s degree in forest management, forest operations, silviculture, ecology, or a closley related degree.
• Two years of professional forestry experience.
• Experience practicing forestry and silviculture tasks involved in the management of State trust lands.
• Experience with timber marketing and financial appraisals.
• Experience utilizing forest growth and yield simulators.
• Facilitation and negotiation skills.
• Knowledge and demonstrated application of the Incident Command System.
• Six months of supervisory experience with responsibility for assigning work to other staff, coaching other staff, and evaluating the work product of other staff.

Location: 
One of the world’s most scenic places, Washington State offers breathtaking discoveries for people who love natural beauty and outdoor recreation, from the Pacific Coast shores to the rugged Cascade Mountains to the rolling hills of the Palouse. Your office will be located in Ellensburg. For more information on this area visit, https://ci.ellensburg.wa.us/ 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, telework (mobile-work) is expected for most office activities. When approved to return, staff are expected to report to their assigned duty station for work activities or may be approved for telework based on DNR’s telework policy.

About the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). 
Our mission is to manage, sustain, and protect the health and productivity of Washington’s lands and waters to meet the needs economically and socially for current and future generations. At DNR we approach our work through the lens of making Washington a better place environmentally and are dedicated to serving Washington’s lands and communities through diversity, equity and inclusion. With nearly 1,500 employees in locations throughout Washington, we manage and protect more than 5 million acres of state-owned forest, range, commercial, agricultural and aquatic lands.

DNR provides excellent benefits, a few of those include:

• 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, visit here to learn more
• 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 benefit package that includes employer contributions toward health insurance, paid holidays, retirement plans, sick leave and vacation days. Visit http://careers.wa.gov/benefits.html for more information.

How to Apply: 
To be considered you must apply online at www.careers.wa.gov (Click on the APPLY button above). You must complete the entire online application to be considered for the position.

Once you submit your online application, you can check your status by logging into your account. If you experience technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application call NEOGOV toll-free at (855)524-5627 or email CareersHelp@des.wa.gov.

Application Requirements:

• Attach a letter of interest describing how your experience and qualifications relate to the position profile and the position required, desired and special requirements.
• Attach a resume describing your experience and qualifications.
• Provide three to five professional references – you may attach a document, use the References text field in the online application, or include with resume.
• Complete all supplemental questions.

Additional Information:
This recruitment may be extended and may also be used to fill future similar vacancies for up to sixty (60) days.

Veterans wishing to claim Veteran’s preference please attach a copy of your DD-214, NGB-22 or other verification of military service. Please black out your social security number prior to attaching.  We thank you and are grateful for your service!

Persons needing accommodation during the screening process or this announcement in an alternative format may contact DNR Recruiting staff at (360) 522-2500 or (360) 522-0143 or by email at DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov.  Those with a hearing impairment in need of accommodation are encouraged to contact the Washington State Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) at 1-800-833-6388 or www.washingtonrelay.com.

DNR is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind.

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Questions?  Please contact Larry Leach at 509-859-4791, Larry.Leach@dnr.wa.gov or e-mail us at DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov