Forest Technician

Duke University; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Duke University’s Duke Forest Office seeks a Forest Technician to perform field-based forest management and maintenance across the 7,100-acre Duke Forest Teaching and Research Laboratory. You will work closely with the Duke Forest Supervisor and staff to support sustainable timber management and conservation projects.

The role emphasizes hands-on field duties, data collection, and collaboration with interns and volunteers in a dynamic forest environment. Weekend work may be required.

Qualifications

• Proficient in identifying 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.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning and execution of intermediate treatments and timber management tasks.
• Coordinate the invasive plant species management program, including planning and monitoring.
• Monitor natural heritage areas and other high conservation value areas, including visits and follow-up actions.
• Coordinate trail maintenance, hazard monitoring, and respond to issues from 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 GIS database, including GPS data collection and spatial records.
• Assist in prescribed burns, wildfire control, and storm response.
• Assist in annual boundary line maintenance.
• Assist in construction, maintenance, and retirement of research installations.
• Assist in Deer Herd Reduction program.
• Assist in implementation of special projects.

Skills

Plant species identification

Forest mensuration

Interpersonal skills

Teamwork

Safety consciousness

Physical fitness

Valid NC Driver's license

Education

2-year degree in forestry/natural resource management/conservation

2 years of related experience

4-year degree in forestry/natural resource management

Tools

ArcGIS Pro

Field Maps

GPS Data collection

MS Word

MS Excel

Outlook

Job description

About The Duke Forest

The Office of the Duke Forest (ODF) is the university department responsible for the management and stewardship of the Duke Forest Teaching and Research Laboratory. The mission of the Duke Forest is to facilitate research that addresses fundamental and applied questions across a variety of disciplines and to aid in the instruction of all students in their pursuit of knowledge, especially regarding the stewardship of our natural resources.

Be You.

About The Duke Forest

The Office of the Duke Forest (ODF) is the university department responsible for the management and stewardship of the Duke Forest Teaching and Research Laboratory. The mission of the Duke Forest is to facilitate research that addresses fundamental and applied questions across a variety of disciplines and to aid in the instruction of all students in their pursuit of knowledge, especially regarding the stewardship of our natural resources.

In total, the Duke Forest is approximately 7,100 acres in Durham, Orange, and Alamance counties. Management of the Duke Forest is guided by a comprehensive plan that promotes the Forest’s academic mission while ensuring the protection of its natural resources. Five major management priorities that aim to maximize a wide variety of forest benefits guide the allocation of forest resources, and in particular, direct staff time and energy. These priorities also underlie strategic efforts to enhance the value of the Duke Forest as a University and community asset. More information is available at: dukeforest.duke.edu.

Occupational Summary

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.

What You’ll Do.

• Lead:
  • 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.

What You’ll Bring.

• 2-year degree in forestry/natural resource management/conservation and 2 years of related experience.

Preferred Education

• 4-year degree in forestry/natural resource management and 2 years of related experience

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.

Note About Duke University

Duke University is an Affi iative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.