The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, in Wenatchee, Washington, is recruiting for one Lead Forestry Technician GS-0462-6/7 PSE (18-8) Timber Sale Preparation. The Official duty station is Naches, Washington on the Naches Ranger District.
About the Position
The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest is seeking a diverse and qualified applicant pool. This position serves as the primary assistant to the Presale Forester, working in Ecosystems Management. This workgroup includes timber sale planning and layout, fuels management, silviculture, and timber stand improvement. The selected candidate would apply a practical knowledge of the methods and techniques of forestry and other biologically based resource management fields to perform work in support of the District’s ecosystem management and restoration efforts. Key duties include timber sale marking, timber sale unit layout and design; develops and drafts timber cruise plans; provides field instruction to apprentice cruisers in cruise methods and techniques; GIS Coordination, and participation on Interdisciplinary Teams and landscape analysis teams. Knowledge of forest ecology and forest restoration objectives and methods is desired.
About the District
Located on the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountains at the southern end of the 4,000,000+-acre Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, the Naches Ranger District encompasses 518,983 acres. The District is west of Yakima with two major mountain passes intersecting it, Chinook Pass to the north and White Pass to the south. Our neighbors to the west and at the crest of the Cascades are Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Mt. Rainier National Park, and Mt. Baker/Snoqualmie National Forest. To the north is the Cle Elum Ranger District, the Yakama Nation to the south, and a mixture of private lands and Washington State Dept. of Wildlife lands to the east. There are checkerboard land ownerships on the fringes of the District to the north, east, and south.
The Naches Ranger District is part of the Snoqualmie National Forest, but is administered by the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. You will see this on maps and perhaps some signing.
After the formation of the Cascade Range, repeated lava flows and glaciations over the last few million years produced many lakes, deep canyons and unusual rock contours such as Kloochman Rock east of Rimrock Lake and Boulder Cave on the Naches River near Cliffdell. This variety of geology and a wide difference in precipitation across the forest has led to diversity in vegetation, which changes with elevation and moisture from grass and sage in the lowlands, through stands of heavy timber, to alpine meadows at the highest reaches. Areas of the Cascade crest can receive over 100 inches of rain and as much as 20 feet of snow each year. To the east, an average of 10 inches annually results in near-desert conditions.
From many vistas, there are spectacular views of Mt. Rainier, Mt. Adams, and other mountain peaks. Within our boundaries are 224,503 acres of Wilderness, established by Congress to preserve the wild character of the land. The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail winds in and out of the District on its way from Mexico to Canada. Wildlife is abundant and you might see elk, deer, black bear and mountain goats, as well as other species. Flower-filled meadows follow the receding snow, extending the season into late summer.
Our Ranger District has hosted many uses over the years. Historically, Indians hunted and fished while miners filed their claims searching for elusive minerals and trappers took their bounty to market. Huge bands of sheep roamed the hillsides tended by solitary herders. Today, a few cattle and sheep use the Ranger District for summer grazing, but the wealth of water, wildlife, and scenery attract mostly the recreation-minded travelers.
The District offers some unique opportunities for recreation and a variety of natural resources. The historic Naches Pass Trail, for both motorized users and hikers, traces the path that early settlers used to reach Seattle, the last stretch of their journey from back east. Boulder Cave National Recreation Trail is one of the most popular places on the District. Visitors enjoy the accessible trail along the river or hiking to the unique Boulder Cave. In the fall thousands of people come to experience white water rafting on the Tieton River. Both of the major highways that transverse the District are noted for their scenic quality. In 1931 the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture and Dept. of Interior established the Mather Memorial Parkway (a 50 mile stretch of State Route 410) for its outstanding scenic and recreational values. In 1998, the Federal Highway Administration dedicated State Route 410 as an All-American Road. U.S. Highway 12 has received the designation of Scenic Byway.
About the Community
Naches, nestled in a scenic valley at the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, is the gateway to Yakima Valley’s agriculture and winery attractions to the east and the beautiful Cascade Mountains to the west.
This conservative town with modern conveniences, old-fashioned values, and forward-thinking offers a quality of life that most seek, but rarely find when they move to a new community. From the country atmosphere to the outstanding “Blue Ribbon Schools”, many families choose to relocate to Naches for what the area has to offer their families. Most of the homes located in this rustic little jewel of a city were built 50-80 years ago. Homes in town are priced anywhere from $100,000 to $180,000.
Just minutes west of Naches, summer and winter recreation and unparalleled natural scenery abound on White Pass and Chinook Pass, leading to the Mt. Rainier National Park. Enjoy snow skiing, river rafting, hiking, hunting, nature walks, boating, snowmobiling, fishing, hunting, jeeping and many more outdoor activities.
The Naches Valley offers its residents a quiet, rural lifestyle, while enjoying proximity to the amenities in the nearby community of Yakima (population 70,000+). All these factors and more make Naches a great place to raise a family, retire, and enjoy an excellent quality of life.
With White Pass Ski Resort and Mt. Rainier located just 45 miles to the west on Highway 12, as well as the city of Yakima located just 10 miles to the east … whether you’re looking for outdoor recreation, a community college and higher education distance learning opportunities, quick access to the Yakima Air Terminal, or shopping at the local malls, your destination is close at hand.
Being centrally located in the state, Naches is 2-3+ hours away from Seattle, Spokane, or Portland.
While retaining the high quality of life offered with a small town feel, Naches’ proximity to the greater Yakima area allows residents quick and easy access to cultural, shopping, and medical facilities.
To see further information regarding the local area you can visit http://www.nachesvalleychamber.com/ and Yakima http://www.yakima.net/.
For additional information please contact:
Shan Madden, Zoned TMA
509-852-1031
Cle Elum Ranger District
803 West Second Street
Cle Elum, WA 98922