Forestry Specialist

Forestry Specialist

Position Description

Job Summary

Forestry Specialists report to the District Forester and will assist with the successful administration, facilitation, and implementation of District operations in the Forestry Department.

Forestry specific job duties include but are not limited to; reforestation projects (including but not limited to seedling placement, dispersion, survivability, and species composition), inventory data collection and data management, seed collection, seedling procurement and care (including storing seed, germinating, calculating seed need for density, and cold storage), stocking surveys and stand assessments, timber cruising and marking, unit layout (GPS, flagging, painting), and assisting in additional forestry applications as needed.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is expected to effectively work collaboratively with others as well as unsupervised. The job will require regular hiking and navigating difficult terrain in inclement, hot, or smoky weather; use electronic devices such as computers, tablets, phones, GPS, or data collectors; and will occasionally need to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

Job Core Responsibilities

• Excellent communication, organizational, and leadership skills
• Communicate regularly and effectively with Project Managers and District Forester
• Interact positively and professionally with landowners, locals, and agency employees
• Communicate regularly and effectively with Crew Leader(s)
• Help ensure crew provides quality work
• Ability to make decisions and promote a safe and efficient work environment
• A strong work ethic and enthusiasm conducting fieldwork
• Use of handheld GPS devices/programs (e.g. Trimbles, Garmins, Allegros, Two Trails, Field Maps, Avenza, etc)
• Use of forestry tools (e.g. Spiegel relaskop, Laser rangefinder, compass, logger’s tape, clinometer, etc)
• Operation of manual and gas powered hand tools while following District safety protocols
• Operate 4 wheel drive vehicles and vehicle/trailer combinations in a competent and safe manner while respecting the equipment and CA vehicle codes.
• Collecting accurate and thorough data for defensible space, fuels reduction, timber and silviculture projects, and other forestry related projects.
• Assisting in implementing layout for defensible space, fuels reduction, timber and silviculture projects, and other forestry related projects. Knowledge of forest practive rules and logging operations.

Job Duties

PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION:

Assist the District Forester and/or District Manager with:

• Scheduling of field staff for implementation of Forestry or Watershed Projects.
• Contract development for project implementation.
• Quality assurance and ensure environmental mitigation measures are being followed.
• Ensuring permit requirements are being followed.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT:

• Adhere to contract funding terms and conditions.
• With assistance from the District Forester and Controller, develop and monitor adherence to project budgets.
• Assist in monitoring progress of projects (i.e., inspecting for design adherence, directing activities of consultants and contractors, and ensuring timelines are followed).
• Complete project related administrative tasks, reports, invoices, etc.
• Requisition goods, materials, and services for projects, following District procedures and contract budget parameters.

GRANTS AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS:

With assistance from the District Forester:

• Help design projects.
• Seek and write grant proposals to fund projects.
• Develop Cooperative Agreements for project work with agencies.

INTERAGENCY RELATIONS:

• Coordinate with local, state, or federal agencies involved in projects.
• Promote contacts and positive relationships between agencies and District.

COMMUNICATION WITH BOARD:

• Attend board meetings as requested.

PLANNING:

• Co-develop with District Forester and Project Managers internal project management tools.
• Coordinate with project partners and consultants to develop environmental compliance documentation and permits, including the templatization and creation of relevant CEQA and NEPA materials, and become proficient in pertinent codes and policies.

WATERSHED AND FORESTRY GROUPS:

• Collaborate with project partners and stakeholders to develop, fund, and implement existing and new forest health and fuels reduction projects, specializing in strategies such as defensible space, fuel breaks, and prescribed fire.

EDUCATION & OUTREACH ACTIVITIES:

• Effectively engage and participate in outreach activities (e.g., making community contacts, attending stakeholder meetings, etc.).
• Represent and promote the District within the community at all times.

OTHER:

• Attend conferences, retreats and any other travel as assigned by District Manager/Forester.
• Attend natural resources and GIS training as assigned by District Manager/Forester.
• Keep Fire Fighter 2 certification current and attend any burning opportunities as directed by District Manager and/or District Forester
• Other duties as may be assigned by the District Manager/Forester.

Qualifications

AS or BS Degree in Natural or Applied Sciences (e.g., Forestry, Geography/GIS, Watershed Management), or equivalent education and experience to perform the job duties.

Demonstrated experience working in forestry projects with significant experience in the implementation of “on the ground” projects.

Proficient knowledge of fire weather, fire behavior, communication and firing operations.

Experience in the execution of grants and contracts. Experience and knowledge in accessing funding sources, detailed grant writing, and contract creation and interpretation highly preferred.

Strong computer skills required: Word, Excel, GPS applications required. ArcGIS and Project Management software capabilities are desirable.

Must possess strong verbal and written communication skills, including technical writing, to communicate with the public and other resource professionals.

Demonstrated ability to coordinate with private landowners, private contractors, non-profit groups, and local, state, and federal agencies.

Valid California driver’s license, insurable driving record, automobile insurance (in the event a personal car might be used for work purposes), and ability to pass a drug-screening test (RCDTC does not screen for THC per CA law).

The successful applicant will also have:

§ Ability to multi-task, think and act "on the fly" as project circumstances change often with little notice, and adapt quickly and easily to a variety of ever-changing work duties.

§ Demonstrated ability to work with a variety of people with diverse interests.

§ Demonstrated ability to be a self-starter and work independently

§ HIGH level of organization

§ Creativity, a sense of humor, "can do" spirit, collegiality.

Position is full-time salaried (exempt). Evening and weekend work may be required occasionally to attend meetings, community engagement or trainings, dependent on project timelines and requirements. Some North State travel may be required, with occasional overnights should a training or meeting require. Travel will be in a District vehicle or, if the occasional use of a personal car is required, mileage is reimbursed at current IRS rates. A variety of field work will be a part of the job and the ability to work in varying terrain in varying weather conditions is required.

Excellent Benefit package includes

• Health insurance (with family option)
• Dental insurance (with family option)
• Vision insurance (with family option)
• Life insurance
• Long Term Disability/ADD insurance
• 8% Retirement matching contribution (after probationary period)
• Cell phone stipend
• Holiday leave (10 per year)
• Sick leave (80 hours earned annually)
• Vacation (104 hours accrued 1st-3rd year; 160 hrs after)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Casual work environment
• Positive work environment
• Salary: Starting wage is highly dependent on experience, skills licensing, and qualifications.
• Range $68640 to $79040 (equivalent 2080 annual hours @ $33-$38 hrly).

To apply, please send a resume. Clean drug screening (excluding marijuana per CA law) and background check will be required prior to employment. A conviction is not necessarily disqualifying. No phone calls, please. EOE, Veterans encouraged to apply.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $33.00 - $38.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Work Location: In person

Salary : $33 - $38