Cruising and Small Sales Forester
Natural Resources Specialist 2/ Natural Resources Specialist 1 In-Training
Recruitment #2021-05-7113
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 Northeast Region. We are seeking a Timber Cruiser/Small Sales Forester to join our State Lands Team and assist in the timber sales program. The timber cruiser assists the Forest Check Cruiser with gathering accurate volumes and log grades throughout the region for proposed timber sales. The timber cruiser will also have the opportunity to work with their local district as part of the timber sales program, with layout and compliance of small timber sales.

The Timber Cruiser/Small Sales Forester enjoys the opportunity to work throughout the entire Northeast Region and explore state lands by truck, ATV, snowmobile, and on foot.  The incumbent of this position must have the ability to work on uneven terrain in all weather conditions, using snowshoes 3-4 months out of the year.  This position requires trailer towing and the ability to safely use snowmobiles and ATV’s for field transportation.  This position requires overnight travel 30% of the year within Northeast Region.

• Acts as one of the regions timber cruising specialists.
• Reviews completed sales for possible problems in stand management objectives, operational impacts and recommends adjustments to district staff.
• Ensures timber cruises meet all agency policies and guidelines.
• Serves as the Project Lead on small timber sales and silvicultural activity proposals and contracts.
• Develops a harvest plan of operation using recon info, consultations with specialists, and other foresters that ensures the economic and operational viability of a timber sale or silviculture activity; and provides appropriate resource protections identified in DNR policies, procedures, and forest practice requirements.
• Independently recommend changes to project layout and design using professional experience of logging systems and equipment limitations including contractual constraints to reduce environmental impacts and minimize financial burdens to the State.
• Appraise and evaluate timber harvest or silvicultural proposals utilizing the residual value (RV) application accounting for current ecological conditions, rules, regulations and other potential impacts.
• Enforce all contracts and contract clauses ensuring contractual obligations are clearly understood by the contractor or purchaser.
• Verifies that sale acreages needed for accurate volume determination is correct.
• Independently performs timber cruises on timber sales (scale, lump sum and tonnage).
• Understands different cruise methods (i.e., 100%, variable plot, ITS, 3P, tariff, etc.) and applies appropriate method to each sale cruised.
• Determines cruise pattern, grades, and measures trees for gross and net volume by species.
• Delineate project treatment boundaries that ensures feasible operations that comply with all policies, rules, and regulations.
• Evaluate, classify, and delineate stream and wetland RMZ’s and WMZs’ to ensure streams and wetlands are typed accordingly and all boundaries are of the correct size and clearly marked.

Natural Resource Specialist 1 (NRS1 In-Training) required qualifications (Salary range: $3,446-$4,627 per month): 

• Knowledge of cruising and forestry.
• 6 months entry level forestry experience with primary duties involving forest inventory collection and statistical analysis.
• Ability to use GPS equipment.
• Knowledge of eastside forest management objectives, timber management objectives and silvicultural practices.
• 5% of work is performed in an office setting, with the remainder 95% of the work being performed in the field. Incumbent must be able to traverse uneven terrain in all weather conditions.
• Position requires approximately 20% of time traveling alone between timber sale activities and
  work center, and other locations for training and meetings. Position also requires
  approximately 30% time in overnight travel away from assigned duty station.
• 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.

Natural Resource Specialist 2 required qualifications (Salary range: $3,887-$5,229 per month): 

• All required qualifications listed above for the Natural Resources Specialist 1.
• Two years of cruising and forestry knowledge and experience at the entry level with primary duties.
  involving forest inventory collection and statistical analysis.
• Experience using GPS equipment and ESRI GIS program to map unit boundaries and road layouts.
• Logging and forest road layout experience.
• Proven written and verbal skills.
• Demonstrated experience using computers and programs including Word, Excel and Outlook.
• Ability to work independently or as part of a team on assigned tasks, and adapt to changing needs.
• Knowledge of contracting procedures.
• Knowledge of Cruising Principals and Theory; application of cruise design and method; statistics and analysis; cruising software applications; log scaling methods and principles.
• Knowledge of eastside forest management objectives, timber management objectives and silvicultural practices.

Our ideal candidate will also have the qualifications listed below:

• Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Resource Management with emphasis in Forest
  Management, silviculture and forest mensuration.
  OR, an Associate degree in Natural Resource Management with emphasis in silviculture and
  forest mensuration with two years of experience at the entry level with primary duties involving: forest inventory collection and statistical analysis.
  OR, four years of experience at the entry level ith primary duties involving: forest inventory
  collection and statistical analysis.
• Experience with Contract Development and Administration for Timber Sales, Road Construction,
  Reforestation, Thinning or other Silvicultural Practices.
• Previous wildland firefighting experience, prescribed fire implementation, burn plan development and hazardous fuels treatment prescription implementation.
• Knowledge of employment rules and regulations as they apply to permanent, seasonal career and seasonal DNR employees.

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.

Check us out on: DNR’s website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | WordPress

Questions?  Please contact Kevin Parkinson at 360-771-9876, Kevin.Parkinson@dnr.wa.gov or e-mail us at DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov