We are looking for a resourceful, technically-skilled, and field-savvy team player who can support our multi-disciplinary teams to advance high priority forestry management work. The ideal candidate is someone who can provide high-level technical forestry support for both WLRD and DNRP Parks Division (PD), with time spent approximately equally between the two divisions.  WLRD responsibilities will include technical support for private forest landowners, staff liaison to the Rural Forest Commission and general forestry support for the Division.  Responsibilities within PD will include development and implementation of forest stewardship plans and general forestry support to staff responsible for management of the PD portfolio. The Senior Forester will report directly to the AFI Program Manager and initially will have no direct reports but may supervise temporary staff and interns; indirect supervision will also be provided by the PD Open Space and Natural Lands Program Manager. For more information about the Forestry program, please visit our website at https://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/dnrp/wlr/sections-programs/rural-regional-services-section/forestry-program.aspx.

WHO MAY APPLY: This position is open to the general public.

King County values diverse perspectives, life experiences and differences.  The Water and Land Resources Division encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, men, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, and veterans.  We are committed to being equitable and fair in providing equal access to opportunities for all.

WORK LOCATION:  King Street Center-201 S Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98104.

REQUIRED MATERIALS TO APPLY: Applications without the following required materials may not be considered for this position.

• King County application
• Resume
• Cover Letter detailing your background and describing how your education and experience meets the qualifications and has prepared you to perform the essential functions of the job (please limit to no more than two pages)

WORK SCHEDULE: This full-time position is exempt from the provision of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not overtime eligible. The typical work schedule is 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.  Weekend, holiday and evening work will be required from time-to-time.  After completion of the 6-month probationary period, work schedule may be modified to provide needed flexibility.

• Assist private forest landowners who are considering forest management options.  Issues include timber harvesting for income generation or forest health improvement, forest management for non-timber values, noxious weed control and property tax incentive programs.
• Assist private landowners to develop forest management plans that are required for enrollment in King County’s Public Benefit Rating System and Current Use Taxation programs.
• Provide landowners with information on county and state forest management regulations and assist landowners to access federal, state and local cost share programs.
• Collaborate with WSU Extension and King Conservation District forestry staff to coordinate and teach forest stewardship planning workshops (“coached planning”) and mentor landowners participating in workshops.

Forestry Leadership for Parks Division:

• Assist with development and implementation of forest stewardship plans that contribute to meeting Parks Division objectives.
• Develop and manage contracts for forestry services, which will include commercial harvests and thinnings, site preparation and tree planting; perform necessary compliance oversight.
• Provide leadership to develop long-term forest management goals and translate goals into actionable work plans.
• Coordinating various permitting processes, including permits required under the Washington Forest Practices Act.
• Present at community and public meetings about forestry-related work.

Technical Support for Water and Land Resources Division:

• Assist Forest Conservation Coordinator with implementation of King County Forest Carbon Program, which may include plot inventory, data analysis and growth/yield modeling.
• Lead development of performance measures that assess and monitor progress on forest health-related objectives.
• Provide technical support to WLR units engaged in forest restoration and management activities.

Economic Development:

• Work with members of the Rural Forest Commission and non-industrial private forest landowners to better understand barriers to private forest management in King County and develop recommendations for actions to enhance the economic viability of forestland and thereby reduce the threat of conversion to non-forest uses.

Constituent Services and Outreach:

• Respond to calls, emails and other inquiries related to forest conservation in King County.
• Participate in outreach efforts to educate communities, landowners and the general public about King County forest conservation efforts.

• Bachelor’s degree in forestry, natural resource management (or related fields) or a combination of education and experience with program and project management that demonstrates the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties described in this job announcement.
• Experience and knowledge of technical forestry skills necessary to provide assistance to property owners interested in management for timber and/or non-timber values.
• Proven success leading forestry projects, including managing forestry contractors and successfully completing commercial-scale forestry operations.
• Experience with development and implementation of forest stewardship plans at various scales.
• A solid understanding of King County Zoning Code (KCC 21A) as it pertains to rural land management, Washington Forest Practices Rules (WAC Title 222), and land management implications associated with state and federal natural resource policies (e.g., Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act).
• Intermediate to advanced skills with current version of ArcGIS and forest growth and yield models (e.g., FVS).
• Intermediate to advanced skills using Microsoft programs for document and spreadsheet production, presentation development, project management, data analysis, and online document collaboration and planning (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and SharePoint).
• Ability to communicate effectively with public and private partners and private landowners. Ability to write and edit information in a clear and concise manner and to communicate verbally with stakeholder groups, agency partners and private landowners.
• Experience working in teams and supporting the management of one or more workgroups.
• Ability to work collaboratively across a variety of DNRP work programs.
• Ability to take initiative within the scope of the position and to exercise strong time management skills.
• Ability to act in a tactful and diplomatic manner and work on sensitive issues with diverse groups of individuals.
• Ability to multi-task accurately and quickly in a high-pressure environment.
• Strong skills in making presentations at community and public meetings.

DESIRED EXPERIENCE, QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS:

• Familiarity with Western Washington forest product markets and timber values.
• Knowledge of western Cascade forest ecosystems and issues affecting forestry in King County.
• Knowledge of regulatory and permitting challenges faced by private forest landowners and experience supporting landowners to overcome those challenges.
• Successful history of grant proposal writing and grant/contract administration.
• Fluency in spoken Spanish.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Heavy workloads, deadline pressure and interruptions due to changing priorities are not uncommon. Work is performed in both office and field settings, often in the company of partners and private landowners, and with frequent office time to manage data and write reports. This position is an integral part of the Agriculture, Forestry and Incentives (AFI) Unit and projects frequently require collaboration with Parks Division staff as well as members of other DNRP units and partner organizations.  Projects may require extended work days, occasionally in excess of the typical 8-hour work-day, and will require occasional evenings, weekends and holidays.

Necessary Special Requirements: 

• A valid Washington State Driver’s License or the ability to obtain within 30 days of hire.
• Ability to travel throughout King County or adjacent counties or other travel destinations in a timely manner.
• An offer of employment will be contingent on successfully passing a pre-employment physical to ensure candidate is capable of performing the duties of the position.

SELECTION PROCESS: Application materials will be screened for clarity, completeness, and responsiveness to the list of qualifications, skills, and abilities. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in one or more panel interviews. Reference checks will be conducted before the final offer of employment.

UNION MEMBERSHIP: Positions in this classification are represented by International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Local 117, Professional & Technical and Administrative Support Employees.

For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact: 
Calvin Rivers
Human Resources Senior Analyst
Email: crivers@kingcounty.gov
Phone: 206-263-1986