Forest Ecologist

Swinomish Indian Tribal Community; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

401(k) matching

Dental insurance

Flexible spending account

Health insurance

Life insurance

Paid time off

Parental leave

Vision insurance

Job summary

Swinomish Indian Tribal Community seeks a Forest Ecologist to provide field, technical, and scientific leadership for the Tribe’s Vegetation Program. You will develop forest plans, manage projects, supervise up to five staff, and support permits and environmental compliance.

The role involves conducting ecological research, coordinating with Tribal departments and partners, and guiding data workflows for reports and decision making. Strong GIS skills and relevant licenses are required.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or higher in a relevant field with supervisory experience.
• Experience leading field crews and managing vegetation programs.
• Strong knowledge of GIS mapping and environmental data handling.
• Licenses: ISA Tree Risk Assessor and WA Pesticide Applicator (or able to obtain in 6 months).

Responsibilities

• Lead forest management, invasive species control, restoration and monitoring programs.
• Direct vegetation field crews and contracted staff on projects.
• Develop and implement forest plans and vegetation management strategies.
• Design ecological research and monitor forest conditions and climate impacts.
• Prepare technical reports and support environmental compliance and grants.

Skills

Leadership

Team supervision

Communication skills

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Budgeting

Education

Master's degree in forestry / forest ecology / natural resource management

Bachelor's degree in forestry / forest ecology / natural resource management

Tools

ESRI GIS

Survey123

Field Maps

Job description

Job Title

Forest Ecologist

Department

Environmental

Position Summary

The Forest Ecologist provides field, technical and scientific expertise for the Tribe’s Vegetation Program, including development and implementation of the Swinomish Forest Management Plan, Integrated Vegetation Management Plan, revegetation and restoration plans for forested and non-forested sites, and applied ecological research that supports sustainable and resilient forest management. The Forest Ecologist prepares technical reports, supports permitting and environmental compliance, collaborates with Tribal departments and external partners, and provides overall leadership for the Vegetation field program. Supervised by the Environmental Manager, this position directly supervises up to five technical staff and oversees vegetation field operations conducted by Tribal staff and contractors.

Job Duties

1. Programmatic Duties: Lead and implement forest management, invasive species management, native plant restoration, ecological research, and vegetation monitoring programs by supervising field crews and contractors, developing management plans, managing scientific data, and supporting sustainable stewardship of Tribal forest lands.
2. Supervise and direct vegetation field crew and contractors performing native plant restoration, invasive species management, forest stand improvement, timber harvest, and other vegetation management activities.
3. Develop and implement the Swinomish Forest Management Plan, Five-Year Forest Operating plan, Integrated Vegetation Management Plan, and site-specific vegetation management and restoration plans using in-house and contracted resources.
4. Design and implement ecological research and monitoring projects to evaluate forest conditions, climate impacts, vegetation management, and restoration performance outcomes.
5. Conduct vegetation inventories, botanical mapping, timber cruises, stand-based forest inventory (e.g. variable plot cruise design) using standard forestry and vegetation management methodologies.
6. Utilize Geographic Information Systems (GIS), GPS, remote sensing technologies, and mobile field applications to analyze landscape-scale ecological patterns and support forest management planning.
7. Produce timber valuations required for land appraisal and assist allotment owners conducting timber removal for income generation or clearing for residential development.
8. Manage scientific data workflows including data collection, quality assurance, database management, analysis, and interpretation to support technical reports, environmental compliance, management plans, and decision-making.
9. Review Tribal permits related to tree removal and hazard tree identification.
10. Maintain ISA Tree Risk Assessor Certification and WA State Pesticide Applicator License.
11. Plan and co-lead vegetation-related community outreach and education activities as directed by DEP Director and Assistant Director.
12. Independently perform administrative duties including hosting meetings and communicating with internal and external stakeholders.
13. Implement and manage 2-5+ DEP programmatic grants and contracts as directed by the Environmental Manager, including:
    • Assisting with grant development by researching available grants and drafting work plans and budgets for ongoing and new grant applications.
    • Independently administering grants, including budget tracking and progress reporting.
    • Developing contract scopes of work and managing project deliverables, timelines, and budgets.
14. Conduct projects to evaluate the impacts of climate change, invasive species, land use, and other ecological stressors on Tribal vegetation communities to inform adaptive forest management and landscape conservation, including study design, data collection, data interpretation, and reporting.
15. Contributes to technical reports, and presentations for internal and external audiences.
    • Prepares posters and oral presentations for regional scientific conferences, independently or in collaboration with other DEP staff at the Director’s discretion.
    • Drafts and/or comments on Tribal environmental policies related to forestry and vegetation conditions based on data analysis as directed by the Environmental Director or Environmental Manager.
16. Because of the Tribes commitment service and the well-being of its members, each employee may be expected to perform a wide range of office and field duties from time to time. Such duties may or may not be related to their regular responsibilities.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree with emphasis and college coursework in forestry, forest ecology, natural resource management, or other discipline appropriate to the position. AND 2 years of experience in a comparable role including direct supervisory experience; OR Bachelor's degree with emphasis and college coursework in forestry, Forest ecology, natural resource management, or other discipline appropriate to the position, AND 4 years of experience in a comprable role including direct supervisory experience.
• Physical ability to work in demanding environments and all-weather conditions.
• Experience with the flora of the Pacific Northwest, forest ecology, forestry practices, silvicultural methods, and applicable regulations.
• Experience with standard botanical methodology for classification, mapping, and inventory of vegetation communities.
• Experience in noxious weed control, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), and revegetation techniques, including hands-on field experience with associated equipment and methods.
• Demonstrated supervisory experience leading technical field crews.
• Experience in natural resources project and/or program management.
• Experience with ESRI GIS mapping software and mobile data mapping applications such as Survey 123 and Field Maps.
• Certification as ISA Tree Risk Assessor and WA Pesticide Applicator License, or ability to obtain both within 6 months of hire.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to work effectively with department staff and diverse groups to achieve Tribal goals.
• Ability to lead, manage, and inspire a team of field staff.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to maintain and safely operate ATVs, tractors, boats, trucks and trailers.
• Small engine repair and maintenance skills.
• Experience working with or for tribal government.

License and Certificate Requirements

• Valid Washington State Driver’s License, or ability to obtain within 6 months of hire.

Benefits

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Vision insurance

Policies and Instructions

The Tribe complies with the Tribal Preference policy outlined in the Tribal Employment Rights Ordinance (TERO), STC Title 14, Chapter 1, Subsection 14.01.120(A)(2) of the Swinomish Tribal Code. The Tribe strives for a drug‑free workplace environment. Drug and alcohol screening at time of hire is mandatory in sensitive and hazardous positions and where required by the job announcement/description or positions working with Tribal youth.