Assistant Forest Resources Manager

Sacbar; California (MO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

University of California, Berkeley's Berkeley Forests center seeks a senior on-site administrator to lead daily operations, research support, facilities management, and field cultivation at Blodgett Forest in El Dorado County.

The role focuses on implementing long-term forest management objectives, ensuring compliance with CA rules, and coordinating with researchers and staff to advance campus forestry research.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Forestry, Natural Resource Management or related field.
• Licensure: RPF or ability to obtain within two years.
• Driver's license with acceptable driving record (CA Employer Pull Notice).
• Strong knowledge of safety, regulatory forestry requirements (CA Forest Practice Rules, CEQA).
• Experience in field station/facility management, analytical problem-solving, computer competency.

Responsibilities

• Provide daily supervision, operational direction, and performance evaluations for staff and volunteers.
• Coordinate forestry activities, silvicultural treatments, and timber harvest procedures to support campus research goals.
• Participate in prescribed burn program and train staff for fire operations.
• Provide technical expertise in Wildlife Management, Fuels/Fire Management, GIS/Database or Public Outreach/Education.
• Supervise maintenance and safety protocols, manage records, and assist with annual budget planning.

Skills

Field station management

Analytical problem-solving

Computer literacy

Education

Bachelor's degree in Forestry/Natural Resource Management

Job description

About Berkeley & Rausser College

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. As the bearer of UC's historical land-grant mission, the Rausser College of Natural Resources generates and disseminates knowledge to protect Earth's natural resources and ensure economic and ecological sustainability for future generations.

Berkeley Forests, a center within the College of Natural Resources, facilitates research, extension, and education across seven field stations in California (Contra Costa, El Dorado, Tulare, Plumas, Trinity, Shasta, and Nevada Counties). This role provides essential leadership, operational management, and research support primarily based at Blodgett Forest in El Dorado County.

Position Summary

This position involves daily on-site administration, research support, facilities management, and cultivation functions involved in establishing and maintaining the research forest.

The supervisor develops and carries out long-term forest management objectives reflecting diverse resource values—including fire restoration, water quality/quantity, wildlife habitat, timber production, diversity, forest health, and carbon sequestration—while ensuring full compliance with state, federal, and campus policies.

Key Responsibilities

Supervision & Team Leadership (20%)

• Provide daily supervision, operational direction, and performance evaluations for seasonal workers, volunteers, student staff, and support personnel.
• Assist management with hiring, team development, and general operational planning.

Silviculture, Field Operations, Compliance, and Planning (40%)

• Coordinate and oversee forestry activities, silvicultural treatments, and timber harvest procedures to support campus research goals.
• Solicit, evaluate, and select bids for contract work; administer approved vendor contracts.
• Prepare regulatory reports, Timber Harvest Plans (THPs), CEQA documentation, and grant proposals.
• Ensure operational alignment with California Forest Practice Rules and university protocols.

Fire & Fuels Management (10%)

• Participate in and support the prescribed burn program as experience allows.
• Train subordinates to take on primary responsibility over prescribed fire operations.

Domain Expertise & Research Support (10%)

• Provide technical expertise in at least one key area: Wildlife Management, Fuels/Fire Management, GIS/Database Management, or Public Outreach/Education.

Facilities, Safety Management & Administration (20%)

• Supervise maintenance, modifications, and infrastructure improvements across field stations.
• Implement field safety protocols, adhere to regulatory standards, and train staff on safety procedures.
• Keep precise records of labor, equipment, materials, and production.
• Assist with annual budget preparation and operational planning.

Required:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in a related eld (e.g., Forestry, Natural Resource Management) or equivalent experience/training.
• Licensure: Registered Professional Forester (RPF) license, or the capacity to earn the license within two years.
• Driver's License: Valid driver's license and acceptable driving record (enrollment in the CA Employer Pull Notice Program required).
• Technical Knowledge: Strong knowledge of safety, legal, cultural, and regulatory forestry requirements (including CA Forest Practice Rules, CEQA, and grant writing).
• Skills: Demonstrated eld station/facility management experience, solid analytical problem-solving skills, and computer competency.

Preferred:

• Master's degree in a related discipline.
• California Certied Burn Boss (or capacity to earn within two years).