As a designated expert within the Wildlife Program, this position provides statewide forest management and consultative services on wildlife areas including stand management, forest practices, timber sales and reforestation.
 
Under the supervision of the Wildlife Area Forest Management Lead, this position (Forester) supports the Department’s mission and goals by implementing sound ecological forest management within the constraints of policy, applicable legal requirements, and applicable collective bargaining agreements.
 
Key responsibilities include:

• Serves as a designated expert within the Wildlife Program to provide statewide forest management and consultative services on wildlife areas including stand management, forest practices, timber sales and reforestation;
• Develops wildlife area-specific forest management plans.
• Identifies statewide management priorities and develops implementation strategies to address priorities.
• Conducts economic analyses to optimize project and program effectiveness.
• Plans and implements wildlife habitat improvement and maintenance projects including pre-commercial thinning, commercial thinning, and reforestation.
• Negotiates and monitors contracts on behalf of the state with private and governmental agencies on issues of land use and habitat management.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of forest habitat manipulation strategies.
• Represents WDFW on interagency forums, such as the North Central Washington Forest Collaborative, and in independent efforts with individual entities such as the USFS, BLM, DNR etc. to help promote coordinated or collaborative efforts for data sharing, project implementation and landscape level treatment.

Bachelor’s degree in forest management.
 
Experience and competencies

• Five years of professional experience in forest management.
• Knowledge of forest management objectives and timber management planning.
• Working knowledge of Forest Practices rules and other forestry laws and practices.
• Experience with logging and forest road construction equipment and use.
• Ability to inspect, instruct and work with contract crews to ensure silvicultural prescriptions are met.
• Ability to navigate using GPS, maps, aerial photos, compass, clinometer, radio, laser rangefinder, and chain.
• Ability to traverse unit boundaries and accurately create a map.
• Proficient computer skills including MS Word, MS Excel, ARC-GIS ARC-View, with aptitude for learning new software programs.

Behavioral competencies:

• Creative and innovative thinking.
• Communication effectiveness.
• Organizational and political awareness.
• Adaptability and flexibility.
• Accountability.
• Leadership.
• Ethics and integrity.

A valid State driver’s license

Preferred experience includes:

• Experience developing and implementing forest restoration projects (commercial and non-commercial) for wildlife habitat, forest health, wildfire risk abatement and safety hazard reduction.
• Experience in young stand establishment and maintenance.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Experience with prescribed burning planning, preparation and implementation.
• Demonstrated ability to present proposed projects to public user groups in a public meeting venue.
• Possess good listening and speaking skills, with the goal of positive interactions with neighboring landowners.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise high caliber skills in written communication.
• Record of accomplishments demonstrating strong project development and management skills.
• Observational and analytical skills to detect and assess problems in field settings, and ability to develop practical solutions to those problems.
• Experience with the operation and maintenance of essential equipment used in this position (various hand and power tools).
• Tree felling certification*.
• Experience developing grant applications.
• National Wildfire Coordinating Group PM-310-1 Red Card certified or able to meet certifications*.
• Understanding of Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife – Lands Division policies and procedures.
• Ability to safely operate motor vehicles in field situations including snow.

Working Conditions
Position is a combination of office and field work.  Incumbent must be willing to work alone and traverse steep, uneven terrain in all weather conditions. The employee is expected to spend their time working in the field under sometimes difficult conditions.  Weather conditions can vary from freezing to over 100 degrees F, and terrain is steep and rocky.  Other hazards include poisonous reptiles, insects and plants.  Employees must be capable of lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds over steep, rugged terrain in hot or cold weather.
 
Position requires the ability to drive a vehicle on primitive roads during all weather conditions in 4 wheel drive trucks and ATV’s. Incumbent utilizes agency radio equipment and/or cell phone for communication in the field. Office duties require use of standard office furniture and equipment (e.g. desks, files, cabinets, computers, telephones, fax machines, copy machines, etc). Field duties require frequent use of GPS, topographic maps, aerial photos, compass, clinometer and chain.  Field duties also require use of hand and motor-driven cutting equipment such as axes, saws and chainsaws.
 
Union
This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement between the State of Washington, Department of Fish & Wildlife and the Washington Association of Fish and Wildlife Professionals (WAFWP), which contains a “union security” provision.  This means that, as a condition of employment, you must either join the union and pay union dues, or pay the union a representation or other fee within 30 days of the date you are put into pay status.
 
How to Apply:
To apply for this position you MUST complete your profile at www.careers.wa.gov and attach the following to your profile before completing the online application:

• A cover letter describing how you meet the qualifications of this position (generic cover letter will not be accepted)
• A current resume (please make it succinct)
• Three professional references (personal references do not count as professional)

Please note:  Failure to follow the above application instructions will lead to disqualification. Please do not include any attachments other than the ones requested above. E-mailed documents will not be accepted after the closing of the recruitment or in lieu of attaching your documents to the online profile.
 
Upon submission of your online application, you will immediately receive a confirming e-mail.  You will then be notified via e-mail of your status during the process.  In addition to the e-mail notifications, you can check the status of your application at any time by visiting your online profile at www.careers.wa.gov.  Due to the high volume of applications that we receive, we ask your understanding and encourage you to use the online process and avoid calling for information.
 
Please note that initial screening will be solely based on the completeness of application materials submitted and the contents and completeness of the “work experience” section of your application in NeoGov. A resume will not substitute for the “work experience” section of the application. The information provided in your application must support your selected answers in the supplemental questions. Responses not supported in your application may disqualify you from consideration for employment in this position. All information will be verified and documentation may be required.
 
The Department of Fish and Wildlife 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, disabled and Vietnam era veterans and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 902-2276 or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at (800) 833-6388.