Forest Technician

Society of American Foresters.; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Duke Forest is seeking a Forest Technician to perform a range of forest management and maintenance tasks on its 7,100-acre teaching and research property. The role emphasizes field work, collaboration with the Duke Forest Supervisor and infrastructure manager, and supporting interns and volunteers.

The position requires strong plant identification, forest mensuration, GIS proficiency, and a valid NC driver’s license.

Qualifications

• Proficient in identification of native and invasive plant species in North Carolina.
• Proficient in forest mensuration.
• Proficient in GIS using ESRI products (ArcGIS Pro, Field Maps).
• Proficient in MS Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Demonstrated attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated interpersonal, teamwork, and collaboration skills.
• Valid NC Driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute intermediate treatments including pre-commercial and commercial thinnings, supporting timber management.
• Manage invasive plant treatments and monitor chemical use.
• Monitor natural heritage areas and high conservation value areas; document and follow up.
• Maintain trails, schedule hazard monitoring, and coordinate with volunteers.
• Coordinate training and mentorship of summer interns.
• Support GIS data collection and basic cartography and spatial analysis.
• Assist in prescribed burns, wildfire control, and storm response.
• Assist in boundary maintenance and maintenance of research installations.
• Support Deer Herd Reduction and other special projects.

Skills

Plant species ID

Forest mensuration

GIS (ArcGIS Pro)

MS Office

Detail-oriented

Teamwork

NC Driver's license

Job description

The Forest Technician (FT) performs a variety of forest management and maintenance activities on Duke Forest, a 7,100-acre teaching and research laboratory with an active timber management program. The FT is primarily a field-based position that will lead on several management and stewardship programs and will work closely with the Duke Forest Supervisor and Maintenance & Infrastructure Manager on a daily basis to support their efforts. A successful FT appreciates how this position contributes to the numerous roles the Duke Forest plays for a variety of audiences and expresses a sincere commitment to work as part of a team to accomplish its mission.

Work Performed:

• Planning and execution of intermediate treatments, including pre-commercial and commercial thinnings, while providing support for all aspects of the timber management program, including cruising, harvest planning, layout and marking, regeneration and survival counts, harvest administration and monitoring, and harvest clean-up work.
• The invasive plant species management program, including planning and executing treatments, monitoring, and tracking chemical use.
• The natural heritage area monitoring program and monitoring of other high conservation value areas (as needed), including planning and executing monitoring visits, completing documentation, and implementing follow-up activities.
• Trail maintenance activities including planning, scheduling, and implementing hazard monitoring and remediation, trail trimming, water bar maintenance, etc.; provide primary response to issues identified by Forest Steward volunteers.
• Coordinate training and mentorship of summer interns.
• Coordinate volunteer workdays in collaboration with Sr. Program Coordinator.
• Support maintenance of the Duke Forest’s GIS database, including GPS data collection, producing spatially explicit management records, and performing basic cartography and spatial analysis tasks.
• Assist in prescribed burns, wildfire control, and storm response.
• Assist in annual boundary line maintenance.
• Assist in the occasional construction, maintenance, and retirement of research installations.
• Assist in implementation of the Deer Herd Reduction program.
• Assist in implementation of special projects.

Required qualifications:

• Proficient in identification of common native and invasive plant species in North Carolina
• Proficient in forest mensuration
• Proficient in GIS using ESRI products, including ArcGIS Pro and Field Maps
• Proficient in MS Word, Excel, and Outlook
• Demonstrated attention to detail and organizational skills
• Demonstrated interpersonal, teamwork, and collaboration skills
• Valid NC Driver's license

Preferred qualifications:

• Basic carpentry skills
• Basic landscaping skills
• Basic equipment operation
• Sawyer – class B, or higher, chainsaw certification
• Experience with prescribed fire and/or wildland fire response
• Experience with timber sale administration and monitoring
• Experience with USFS Forest Vegetation Simulator (FVS) or similar forest growth models
• Licensed NC Pesticide Applicator, or ability to acquire license within one year
• Familiarity with forest certification

The successful applicant will be a self-starter that possesses a rare combination of field and technical skills. They will be safety conscious, demonstrate a willingness to learn, and be physically fit enough to work 8-hour days in the field. Applicants must be comfortable working alone or in groups, in diverse forest types, and in various weather conditions. Some weekend work may be required.