Area Forester - MTT

Green Diamond; Kalispell (MT); On-site; USD 62,000 - 93,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/vision and dental

Life and disability Insurance

401(k) plan with match

Paid time off

Parental leave

Bereavement

Company vehicle

Volunteer day

Job summary

Green Diamond in Kalispell, MT, is seeking an operational forester to plan and execute harvest and silviculture work across northwest Montana, based in Libby or Kalispell. You’ll lead field crews, assess roads and stream crossings, and ensure projects meet safety, environmental, and regulatory standards.

The role centers on identifying harvest opportunities, laying out units and haul roads, administering contracts, and coordinating with contractors, agencies, and community stakeholders in a

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in Forest Management, Natural Resource Management, or a related field is preferred.
• Approximately 3–7 years of operational forestry experience is preferred; equivalent industry experience may be considered.
• Valid driver’s license and strong Microsoft Office skills; GIS experience and road maintenance knowledge are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Actively support a safe workplace and participate in the company safety program.
• Identify timber harvest opportunities and silvicultural investment areas.
• Assist with the layout of harvest units and haul roads to support productive operations while minimizing environmental impacts.
• Help plan harvest operations to reduce moves and maximize capacity.
• Oversee contract logging, road construction, and road maintenance; conduct field checks for compliance.
• Oversee site preparation, planting, and other silviculture projects.
• Plan, coordinate, and implement pile burning and hazard-abatement activities with attention to smoke and public concerns.

Skills

Operational forester

Field operations

Leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Forest Management or related field

Tools

GIS

Microsoft Office

Job description

Location

2050 US Highway 2 W, Kalispell, MT, 59901, United States

Job Category

FORESTRY

Employee Type

Full Time

Contact Information

Name: Ursula Walters

Phone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

This is an in‑person role based out of our office located in Libby or Kalispell, MT

Who You Are

You're an operational forester who likes seeing plans turn into well‑run work in the field. You understand harvest and silviculture operations, can balance productivity with safety and environmental responsibility, and take pride in work that meets a high professional and ethical standard.

You're comfortable working independently in remote areas, making sound decisions, and building strong relationships with contractors, agencies, and community members. You're safety‑minded, practical, organized, and willing to step in wherever needed—unit layout, road assessments to overseeing planting, pile burning, or responding during a wildfire.

What the Job Is

This position supports the planning and execution of harvest and silviculture operations in northwest Montana, based in either Libby or Kalispell. You’ll work in a beautiful forest alongside a close‑knit group of experienced team members who care deeply about safe, responsible forest management and natural resource use.

The work centers on identifying harvest and investment opportunities; laying out harvest units, pre‑commercial thinning units, haul roads, and related infrastructure; administering contracts; and ensuring operations comply with company standards, regulations, the Native Fish Habitat Conservation Plan, Best Management Practices, and Sustainable Forestry Initiative requirements. A portion of the job will be working with rock pit and grazing leases.

This is primarily a field‑based role. You’ll spend most of your time on the ground supporting active forestry operations, checking work performed by contractors, assessing roads and stream crossings, and helping ensure projects are completed safely, efficiently, and responsibly.

What the Department Is Like

You’ll be part of a forestry team responsible for managing almost 300,000 acres of working forestlands with a focus on safe, productive, and sustainable operations. The work is collaborative, but it also calls for someone who can take ownership of projects, manage competing priorities, and work independently without immediate supervision.

You’ll work regularly with foresters, logging and road contractors, regulatory agencies, leaseholders, and members of the community. Some days will involve planning and administration; others will have you traveling woods roads, walking units, inspecting operations, or working in rugged terrain and changing weather conditions.

What You’ll Do

• Actively support a safe workplace and participate in the company safety program.
• Identify timber harvest opportunities and silvicultural investment areas.
• Assist with the layout of harvest units and haul roads to support productive operations while minimizing environmental impacts.
• Help plan harvest operations to reduce moves, maximize capacity, and provide accurate production information and log sales forecasts.
• Administer and oversee contract logging, road construction, and road maintenance work; conduct timely field checks to confirm compliance with contracts and harvest plans.
• Oversee site preparation, planting, and other silviculture projects.
• Serve as the primary contact for rock pit leases, permitting, and compliance, and help manage grazing leases and other minor forest product agreements.
• Conduct ownership‑wide road and stream‑crossing assessments.
• Plan, coordinate, and implement pile burning and hazard‑abatement activities with attention to smoke, public concerns, and operational impacts.
• Ensure operations comply with SFI policies, Forest Practices requirements, local ordinances, and applicable state and federal regulations.
• Provide leadership during wildfire events.
• Communicate clearly and professionally with coworkers, contractors, agencies, community members, and other stakeholders.
• Represent Green Diamond at public meetings and community events as needed.

What You’ll Bring

A bachelor’s degree in Forest Management, Natural Resource Management, or a related field, along with approximately three to seven years of operational forestry experience, is preferred. Equivalent industry experience may be considered in place of a degree.

You’ll need a valid driver’s license, strong Microsoft Office skills, and the ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team. Experience with road maintenance, Forest Practices laws, and GIS. Those with a Montana Private Applicator License or UAG License—is preferred.

Most importantly, we’re looking for someone who is self‑directed, dependable, organized, and comfortable managing multiple priorities in a changing field environment. You bring good judgment, strong communication and leadership skills, a positive problem‑solving approach, and a genuine commitment to safe, responsible forestry.

Compensation Details

The wage for this position is $62,056.00 to $93,084.00 and is based on your experience and demonstrated skill level. The wage is just one part of Green Diamond’s total compensation package. Other rewards include eligibility to receive an annual company financial bonus and a bonus based on your own performance.

Benefits

• Medical/vision and dental
• Life and disability insurance
• 401(k) plan with match and profit sharing
• Paid time off includes 9 designated and up to 2 personal holidays
• 10 vacation days
• 10 sick days
• 30 days parental leave
• 3 days bereavement
• An extra 2 days bereavement unpaid
• Jury duty
• 1 volunteer day
• 5 days family care
• Company vehicle for business use

Who Green Diamond is:

We grow and nurture forests, a renewable resource to build homes, schools, and household necessities; sequestering and storing carbon every single day we operate. We’re a 6th generation family‑owned company that is guided by our values of environmental stewardship and supporting our local communities. The history of our Company spans over 130 years. We do what’s right, even when it is the harder path to follow. We focus on the health and safety of our people first – by taking care of all our resources, we plan to be here for another 130 years.