Inventory Forester, Natural Resources Specialist 1
Recruitment #2021-05-7617,7618
These are Full-time, Permanent, Represented positions.

Want to join something GREAT and make a difference?
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has two exciting opportunities within our Forest Resources Division. Do you like travelling and working in the woods? Do you enjoy using state of the art technology and equipment? How does supporting a state-of-the-art forest inventory program sound to you? We are looking for an individual who possesses a strong “woods-sense” and is capable of driving forest roads and hiking across remote and difficult terrain towards the goal of collecting forest inventory data, which supports a remote-sensing program involving more than 2.1 million acres. This Inventory Forester position is largely field based,  year-round, with most of the time worked spent travelling, either locally or regionally, to DNR managed forest parcels for data collection. From this position, you would have the opportunity to work across the majority of the state and see a wide variety of forest types and conditions. On average, 3 out of 4 weeks in a given month are spent in travel status, meaning that the candidate would work in a team somewhere else in the state sampling inventory plots for our remote-sensing inventory, getting to see a ton of cool places, forests and cities across the state of Washington. The position has a four day work-week schedule of Monday through Thursday with a ten-hour work day, with some flexibility. Because of the nature of the sampling grid for the inventory plots, the data to be collected is always in a new spot; though some areas of the state hold more plots than others, the work takes place in unique spots every time we measure. You’ll see coastal areas, high-elevation stands, lowland valleys, and eastside forests. Wherever there is forested land that is managed by the Department of Natural Resources, we have plots in place waiting to be measured!

Responsibilities:
Typical duties involve using computer software such as ArcMap; operating handheld Android OS tablets, high-precision GPS systems, laser rangefinders; navigating to remote plot locations; training others in the field measurement protocol; and performing QA/QC on associated contractual work.

Required Qualifications: 

• A four-year college degree in a forestry or a natural resources related field OR a two-year degree in forest technology or a closely related field.
• At least one year of experience with field measurements using computerized systems.
• Professional working knowledge of environmental sampling and data gathering, e.g., forest mensuration.
• Experience using computerized systems in the field and office, e.g., tablets, radios.
• Experience with ArcGIS software.
• Experience using survey-grade GPS and processing coordinates obtained with this technology.
• Ability to navigate and hike rugged terrain and to cope with harsh outdoor conditions.
• Ability to drive a vehicle on unimproved roads and navigate unmarked road systems.
• Ability to identify common plant and tree species, e.g., botany and dendrology.
• Ability to use, field inspect, repair, and develop course of action recommendations towards mensuration equipment, e.g., compass, diameter tape, laser hypsometers, etc.
• Ability to work on uneven terrain in all weather conditions.
• The incumbent in this position is required to travel. On average, three work-weeks (M-Th) out of a month are spent traveling statewide.
• 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:

• R and/or SQL programming experience.
• Contract compliance work experience.
• Chainsaw use experience, particularly bucking downed logs.

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.

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

Questions?  Please contact Jacob Beard at 360-902-1679, jacob.beard@dnr.wa.gov or e-mail us at DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov