State Lands Silviculture Scientist, Natural Resource Scientist 4
Recruitment #2021-05-4615
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 Forest Resources Division. If you enjoy working at the intersection between science and practice in natural resource management, this could be a great opportunity for you!  This position utilizes relevant research, literature, and methods to guide the practical application of silviculture on DNR managed state trust lands.  The incumbent will have the opportunity to conduct, oversee, and participate in silviculture across the Pacific Northwest with the goal of improving operational silvicultural practices, methods, and systems.  In addition, you will play a critical role in providing silvicultural expertise to support management of 2 million acres of forested trust land for revenue, ecological, and social objectives.

This position is the designated agency expert in production silviculture science.  The position designs, implements, and oversees research and monitoring projects contributing to the operational application of silvicultural science and the adaptive management process, and provides key consultative services to various DNR divisions and the regions.  The position is expected to conduct research of peer-reviewed quality, publish when results warrant, collaborate within the forest science community, and actively participate in professional meetings.  The position is responsible for evaluating existing literature, studies, and cooperative research data as well as the development of new data and guidance to facilitate silviculture operations and for communicating research findings to field operations staff.

Responsibilities:

• Identifying knowledge shortfalls, reviewing existing literature and assessing its relevancy to DNR State Lands, and defining research priorities;
• Conducting original research in the field of production silviculture science, and publishing results in refereed publications and in other formats for internal and external audiences as appropriate;
• Collaborating closely with researchers from DNR and other forest management organizations to develop mutually beneficial research projects and technology transfer;
• Serving as principal liaison to university research cooperatives in setting policy/direction to assure research efforts are beneficial to department objectives and are directed at providing the data needed to evaluate and develop silvicultural alternatives;
• Drafting Department guidance related to the development of silvicultural prescriptions and implementation of activities;
• Providing scientific consultation services to region staff on proper assessment of existing conditions; development of silvicultural prescriptions; and implementation of activities including site preparation, regeneration, vegetation and pest control, thinning (PCT and commercial), pruning, fertilization, as well as data collection and analysis;
• Conducting and providing guidance on modeling how management activities will impact stand development on individual sites, to inform the development of silvicultural prescriptions that meet site-specific objectives. Developing sample prescription scenarios for modeling purposes;
• Providing technical recommendations and guidance on issues relative to ecological and silvicultural principals and techniques to both internal and external scientists as well as region and division staff;
• Collaborating closely with genetic, seed, and nursery research and operations to ensure silvicultural systems are designed to effectively utilize limited reforestation and young stand management resources and treatments; and
• Providing training to division/region staff on various silviculture topics.
• Providing scientific expertise to develop forest health program objectives and implementation guidance;
• Supervising the State Lands Forest Health Program Manager, who provides resources, information, direction, and support to region programs to maximize program effectiveness;
• Defining monitoring priorities for forested State Lands in consultation with division/region staff;
• Supervising the Implementation Monitoring Program Manager, who is responsible for planning and conducting monitoring of forest management activities on DNR-managed lands;
• Reading scientific papers and reports, attending scientific conferences, and serving on scientific working groups to maintain technical proficiency; and
• Developing and maintaining a consistent scientific record of professional publications, presentations, and involvement.

Required Qualifications: 

• Master’s degree with major study in silviculture or a closely related field.
  AND Five years of professional field experience in operational forest management and silviculture.
  OR
  A Ph.D. of major study in silviculture, forest ecology, or other closely related field that emphasized principles of ecology or silviculture in the program of study.
  AND Two years of professional field experience in operational forest management and silviculture.
• Minimum of one year of experience planning, and implementing field research studies and work.
• Knowledge of statistics, experimental design, sampling, error assessment methods, data analysis procedures, and statistical techniques.
• Ability to write effectively and make effective oral presentations to both scientific and non-scientific audiences, peers, and executive management.
• Proven interpersonal and leadership skills to effectively supervise and lead others.
• Knowledge of and ability to apply and interpret results of single-tree growth and yield models, such as FVS.
• Ability to work on uneven terrain in all weather conditions.
• The incumbent is required to travel and stay overnight outside the Olympia area. Candidate must be able to drive a state vehicle and travel independently to those locations.
• 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:

• Doctoral degree in Silviculture or relevant field.
• A successful record of publishing peer-reviewed research papers and reports, and presentation of research at scientific meetings and conferences.
• Silvicultural work experience in both wet and dry forests of the US Pacific Northwest and/or British Columbia.
• Ability to use and adapt GIS technologies.

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 Olympia. For more information on this area visit, http://olympiawa.gov.

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.
• Attach a copy of your college degree certificate or an unofficial copy of your transcripts.
• 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 Calvin Ohlson-Kiehn at 360-701-1452, calvin.ohlson-kiehn@dnr.wa.gov or e-mail us at DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov