Website link here: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/2779712/state-lands-forester-nrs2-nrs1-in-training
Description
Natural Resource Specialist 2/Natural Resource Specialist 1 In-Training
Pacific Cascade Region – Castle Rock and Battle Ground
Recruitment #2020-05-2850,3291,4653
Two full-time, permanent represented positions.
One full-time, non-permanent represented position, anticipated appointment July 2020 thru June 2021.
This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies in Castle Rock and Battle Ground within the next 6 months.
The mission of the Department of Natural Resources is to manage, sustain, and protect the health and productivity of Washington’s lands and waters to meet the needs of present and future generations. Management of trust assets is linked to decisions made during the presales, sales compliance, and silviculture functions of the Region team. The State Lands Forester position is a vital position that contributes to the success of meeting our goals and objectives both long and short term. This position provides professional forestry expertise on DNR uplands managed for current and future citizens of the state to 1) Sustain long-term ecosystem and economic viability; and 2) foster resilient forest lands and the benefits derived from them. This position works under the guidance of the Habitat Conservation Plan, the Forest Practice Rules, the Policy for Sustainable Forests, the Sustainable Harvest Calculation, the Endangered Species Act, and all other applicable laws, rules, regulations, and agency policies, procedures, and guidelines. This position reports to a State Lands Unit Forester and must interact with agency staff, the general public and other state, county, and federal agencies to achieve success on their projects.
What we will trust you with:
Presales
- Develop harvest designs using professional experience, judgement, and knowledge of natural resource management fundamentals, as well as GIS, field observations, and maps. This is done in conjunction with consultation with a Biologist, Geologist, Silviculturist, Engineers, other Foresters, and the Unit Forester for the purpose of timber sale design and road layout. This includes several aspects of Technical Forestry:
- Recon and confirm various elements of the timber sales paper plan utilizing field observations, GIS, preliminary cruising, growth model software, cable harvest analysis, and GPS equipment.
- Locate and classify streams and wetlands in accordance with appropriate HCP or forest practices requirements utilizing field observations, LIDAR, and consultation with biologist and/or forest practices.
- Delineate timber sale boundaries that are operationally feasible and comply with policies, rules, and regulations.
- Collect data for timber sale boundaries, streams, wetlands, leave trees, roads, etc. utilizing GPS (Garmin, Trimble, iPad, etc.), DNR Garmin software, or hand traversing.
- Process and analyze data to assist in timber sale harvest planning, ensuring harvest volume deliverables that meet landscape objectives and follow applicable policies, rules and regulations.
- Identify and layout road locations in a manner that produces practical and maintainable forest roads that comply with applicable policies, rules, and regulations.
- Assess and identify leave tree areas utilizing on the ground observations in combination with knowledge of the HCP, L&I regulations, Forest Practices rules, logging systems and consultation with biologists, geologists, silviculturist, and L&I consultants.
- Create standardized final map products utilizing GIS, local mapping protocols, and consultation with GIS specialists.
- Complete necessary permitting and paperwork utilizing applicable software and knowledge of standards, rules and regulations to create a timber sale document packet that complies with all procedures, policies, and state and federal regulations.
- Foster good working relations with community and adjacent landowners by being transparent about our operations. Consult with adjacent landowners and external stakeholders through various means including public meetings, site visits, and written and oral communication to resolve property line discrepancies, cost share agreements, and access for state lands projects.
- Ensure sale units are safe, economically viable and compliment long term objectives by analyzing ecological concerns such as unstable slopes, habitat, economics, and operational feasibility.
- Clearly communicate contractual requirements and sale processes to the public, purchasers, and internal stakeholders by utilizing professional communication skills including clearly written documents, meeting facilitation to internal and external stakeholders, and public outreach.
- Ensure environmental, social, political, contractual, and fiscal objectives are met by resolving disputes to the full extent utilizing an understanding of contractual obligations, clear written documentation and experience with prior compliance work.
- Provide trust beneficiaries with revenue by calculating payment securities and billing schedules utilizing a full understanding of fiscal principals associated with road construction and timber harvest.
- Consultation and coordination with resource specialists using HCP guidance, internal and external policy, interdisciplinary team meetings, and professional knowledge and experience.
- Appraise and evaluate the application and implementation of rules and regulations governing harvest and operations associated with timber sales. This will be achieved through site visits utilizing knowledge and experience with the objective of determining potential environmental and economic mitigation and/or compensation as needed.
- Evaluate current stand conditions and formulate a professional summary for the purpose of developing a long term management plan. This will be done in coordination with fellow professionals to develop prescriptions.
- Evaluate young stands using professional experience and knowledge of silviculture principles including but not limited to plant biology, tree growth and physiology, site productivity, forest stand dynamics and forest health. Implement statistically valid sample techniques to validate decision making and recommend treatment options to ensure proper stand management.
Natural Resource Specialist 1 (NRS2 In-Training) candidate has:
- Demonstrates leadership in the maintenance and development of a safe and healthy work environment by:
- Promoting safety as the most important consideration in all tasks and activities.
- Foster an environment where all employees want to contribute to a culture of safety.
- Being empowered to identify, resolve or mitigate observed safety concerns.
- Knowledge of general forest management theory (timber management planning, silviculture, appraisal techniques, timber sales, contract preparation and administration, forest fire prevention and suppression, logging and forest road construction, reforestation methods, public relations, statistical analysis).
- Knowledge of basic mensuration, forest biology, and silviculture.
- Proficient computer skills in MS Word, MS Excel, ARC-GIS, ARC-View, with aptitude for learning new software programs.
- Ability to navigate using maps, aerial photos, compass, orthos, clinometer, radio, laser rangefinder, GPS, and chain.
- Ability to inspect, instruct, and work with camp and contract crews to ensure silvicultural prescriptions are met.
- Ability to traverse unit boundaries and accurately create a map.
- Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills as demonstrated by the ability to resolve conflicts, write effectively, and communicate with diverse groups both internal and external.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team to develop and achieve department and project goals.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a WSDA Pesticide Applicators License.
- Ability to work on uneven terrain in all weather conditions.
- The incumbent in this position is required to travel.
- Must be at least 18 years of age at the time of hire.
- Must have a valid driver’s license and have two years of driving experience. This position requires driving as an essential function. Employees who drive for state business, whether in a state or privately-owned vehicle, are required to possess a valid license as defined in policy PO02-006 and abide by all other driver responsibility requirements. Finalists and/or interview candidates will be asked to provide a driving record from all states in which they have held a license during the past three years.
Natural Resource Specialist 2 candidates will meet the NRS 1 required qualifications in addition to the qualifications below:
- Demonstrate experience in general forest management theory (timber management planning, silviculture, appraisal techniques, timber sales, contract preparation and administration, forest fire prevention and suppression, logging and forest road construction, reforestation methods, public relations, statistical analysis).
- Demonstrate experience in basic mensuration, forest biology, and silviculture.
This level of knowledge and skill is typically achieved with:
- Completion of the Natural Resource Specialist 1 In-training plan or currently a Natural Resource Specialist 2 within the Department of Natural Resources.
- Bachelor’s degree in Forestry, which includes coursework in silviculture and mensuration. OR An Associate’s degree in forest management or related natural resource field; and one year of forestry experience at the entry level. Other natural resource related degrees or additional relevant, professional forestry experience may be considered in lieu of degree.
Desirable Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Forestry.
- One year of professional forestry experience.
- Knowledge of Policy for Sustainable Forests, Habitat Conservation Plan, and related agency policies.
- Knowledge of Forest Practice Rules and SEPA process.
- Experience using GPS and ArcGIS products.
- Experience in young stand establishment and maintenance practices and treatments.
- Experience with logging and forest road construction equipment.
- Experience with the timber sales process and contract administration.
- Knowledge of the theory, policy, principles and practices of the forestry profession as applied to Northwestern United States (i.e., fundamentals of: silviculture of Northwest species, markets and economics, cruising methods, sales layout, logging methods, engineering, plant nutrition, propagation and weed control, reforestation and intensive forest practices, recreation, multiple use, inventory, water quality, watershed management and basic principles of fisheries management).
- Working knowledge of forest Management objectives, silvicultural prescriptions and timber management planning.
- Working knowledge of Washington Forest Practices rules and regulations.
- Working knowledge of Logging systems (including cable systems) and forest road construction equipment and use.
- Working knowledge of Timber sale contract administration.
- Written and verbal communication skills
- The ability to use GIS software to create maps and manage data.
This may be filled as an in-training. The training plan is up to 24 months. If you complete all elements of the training steps in a shorter amount of time, we may waive the remainder of the time required. Candidates will be considered as Natural Resource Specialist 1 or Natural Resource Specialist 2, depending on qualifications.
The 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 Battle Ground is just north of the greater Vancouver area in Clark county and Castle Rock is right off the I-5 corridor north of Longview/Kelso in Cowlitz county.
At DNR, we value public service, innovation and creative problem solving, safety and well-being, and leadership and teamwork. At DNR you’ll support the vision of a sustainable future by using your skills to protect and manage the state’s natural resources for both current and future generations. As a DNR employee, you’ll work with the public’s interest in mind as we manage more than 5 million acres of state-owned forest, range, commercial, agricultural and aquatic lands. But managing lands is only half of our story. We house the Washington Geological Survey, a dynamic program that is the primary source of geological products and services in support of decision making in Washington. We also protect other public resources such as fish, wildlife, water, and provide public access to outdoor recreation. Two of our largest and most important state-wide resource protection responsibilities are fire prevention and suppression, and overseeing forest practices.
We are nearly 1,500 employees strong and dedicated to making DNR a great place to work. Our mission is to serve Washington’s lands and communities; build strong and healthy rural communities; enhance forest health and wildfire management; strengthen the health and resilience of our lands and waters; and increase public engagement and commitment to our public lands and resources. In partnership with citizens and governments, we provide innovative leadership and expertise to ensure environmental protection, public safety, perpetual funding for schools and communities, and a rich quality of life. At DNR we approach our work through the lens of making Washington a better place environmentally, economically and socially for current and future generations.
What makes DNR a great place to work?
- Transitioning to a modern work environment
- Mobile work
- Infants at work program
- Commitment to organizational health and wellness
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council
- Leadership that empowers and supports employees
- Work/life balance
- Leadership development opportunities
- Educational aid and career development stipends
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness Eligibility
- Opportunities to participate in wildland fire suppression assignments
- Opportunities to stretch your professional skills
- 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 Process
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.
- You must attach the following:
- A letter of interest describing how your experience and qualifications relate to the position profile, required and desired position qualifications, and special position requirements.
- A resume including the names of three to five professional references
Carefully review your application materials before submitting. If you fail to submit the required documents or complete the entire online application, you may no longer be considered for the position by the supervisor.
Application Status – once you submit your online application, you can check your status by logging into your account. Finalists for the position will be contacted by the hiring manager directly. Recruitment may be extended depending on the quantity and quality of the application pool.
Questions? Please contact Glynis Gordan at 360-791-4340, glynis.gordon@dnr.wa.gov / Meg Wallmow at 360-751-0764, megwallmow@dnr.wa.gov or e-mail us at DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov.
Washington State Department of Natural Resources is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities in a fair and impartial manner for all persons without regard to age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, creed, color, national origin, religion, pregnancy/parental status, genetic information, military status, political affiliation, criminal history or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability or the use of a trained service animal by a person with a disability. Persons with a disability who need assistance during the screening process or those needing this announcement in an alternative format may contact DNR Recruiting staff (360) 902-1350 or (360) 902-1139. DNR may be contacted using the Washington State Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) by dialing 711.