Salary: $88,248.00 – $118,716.00 Annually
Location: Thurston County – Olympia, WA
Job Type: Full Time – Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Department: Dept. of Natural Resources
Job Number: 2022-12-7187-17855
Description
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has an exciting opportunity in the Forest Resources Division in Forest Informatics. DNR manages working forests on 2.1 million acres of state trust lands to provide quality habitat, clean water, and other public resources, as well as a stream of sustainable revenue to support public school construction and other trust beneficiaries. The maintenance of the balance between sustainable production of natural resource revenue, protection of public resources, and healthy natural habitats is a priority of the Division.
The talented and creative individuals within the Forest Informatics section support the sustainable management of DNR’s State Uplands programs by developing and delivering innovative technology and equipment, data and analyses.
We are looking for a candidate to fill the Senior Biometrician role, leading the State Uplands Forest Biometrics team. We are looking for a candidate to lead the research, design and development of growth and yield and forest estate models and tools, and partner with our Forest Inventory and Application Development groups to further enhance the development of DNR’s remote sensed inventory system and data collection applications. Data, information, and products derived from the systems and models overseen by the Forest Biometrics team are critical to supporting agency in the sustainable long-term management of state forested trust lands.
Duties
Responsibilities:
- Supervise staff in the Forest Biometrics team including staff assignments, staff development, performance standards and measurements, staff accountability and training.
- Oversee the design, development and maintenance of growth and yield models and long term strategic and tactical harvest planning models. Forest modeling improvements should reflect DNR policy objectives and advancements in the field.
- Oversee the design, implementation and maintenance of forest biometric data storage systems and custom modeling applications.
- Perform statistical analyses and generate reports on DNR’s forested state trust lands as it relates to forest inventory, sampling design, growth and yield and forest estate model projections.
- Work alongside team leads in Forest Informatics, other State Uplands programs, and colleagues in public and private institutions for designing, developing and implementing improvements to forest sampling and modeling approaches.
- Act as the contract administrator for internal modeling system development and external contractors.
- Provide clear communication and expert guidance for the agency on biometric questions, technology, and research. Leads committees that focus on discussing technical details of inventory, growth and yield and harvest planning outputs.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor degree in Information Technology with an emphasis on using computer technology in a natural resources setting, or in Natural Sciences (Geography, Forestry, etc.) with an information technology focus. As well as the following experience gained congruently.
- At least 7 years of professional experience in Forest Biometrics as well as demonstrated professional experience in custom software development, IT consultation, project management, analysis, design, programming, and technical support
- At least 4 years’ experience in designing, developing and integrating custom software using R, Python and/or SQL. Experience could include the creation of data collection systems, growth and yield model customization and creation, merchandizing software creation, and/or harvest scheduling with risk analyses.
- At least 4 years demonstrated experience in managing large disparate collections of LiDAR-based raw datasets and incorporating LiDAR derivative products into accessible datasets, analyses, and workflows.
- Expert-level understanding of scientific method and expertise in sampling, estimation, forest modeling, mensuration, biometrics, and projection.
- At least one year of experience or commensurate training in field measurements.
- DNR Core Competencies:
- Personal Accountability
- Value Others
- Compassionate Communication
- Inspire Others
- Commitment to Excellence
Working Conditions:
- The position’s assigned duty station is the DNR main Office in Olympia. About 90 percent of the work is conducted in the office and 5-10 % of the time will be spent traveling Statewide for meetings and field tours. No contact with hazardous chemicals.
- The position requires travel about 5-10 % of the time for field visits and to attend meetings.
- Employees of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are required to complete their primary series of COVID-19 vaccines (be fully vaccinated against COVID-19) or be approved for a medical or religious exemption and accommodation as a condition of employment. Please note, any offer of employment is contingent upon you providing verification of your vaccine status or having an approved medical or religious exemption and accommodation. No start date will be approved until you have either verified your vaccine status or have an approved exemption and accommodation. “Fully vaccinated” means the following: An employee is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 two weeks after they have received the second dose in a two-dose series of a COVID-19 vaccine (e.g., Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, Novavax) or a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine (e.g., Johnson & Johnson (J&J)/Janssen) authorized for emergency use, licensed, or otherwise approved by the FDA or listed for emergency use, or otherwise approved by the World Health Organization.
Desired Qualifications:
- An advance degree (MS or PhD) in Forest Biometrics or similar field with a focus on statistics and computation in natural resources.
- Experience or academic work using linear programming to develop harvest plans.
- Excellent organizational skills: Able to plan and implement interdependent tasks and to meet deadlines;
- Accountability: Can be relied upon to achieve results on time with little need for oversight;
- Independence: Able to organize and prioritize workload under general supervision;
- Creative and Innovative Thinking: Develops innovative ideas that provide effective solutions to specific information management problems;
- Effective Communication: Clear and concise communication. Conveys technical information to various users, adapts methods and information structures to meet program needs;
- Excellent interpersonal skills: Able to work well in a team environment and to provide effective customer support. Establishing and continuing essential relationships.
Supplemental Information
About the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) here.
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.
Our Vision – Our actions ensure a future where Washington’s lands, waters, and communities thrive.
Our Mission – Manage, sustain, and protect the health and productivity of Washington’s lands and waters to meet the needs of present and future generations.
Our Core Values:
- Safety and Well-Being —Our top priority is the safety of the public and our employees.
- Public Service —We value and respect the public we serve, and we value and respect the people of the Department of Natural Resources who step up to serve.
- Innovation and Creative Problem-Solving — We solve our state’s most pressing challenges through innovative thinking, dedication, and bold and creative vision.
- Leadership and Teamwork —We are committed to building leaders at all levels and building teams for success.
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.
Application Requirements:
- 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.
- 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!
The Department of Natural Resources is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans, military spouses or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.
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.
Questions? Please contact Kate McBurney at kate.mcburney@dnr.wa.gov, 360-867-8134 or e-mail us at DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov
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.
