Forester

Snoqualmie Indian Tribe; Snoqualmie (WA); On-site; USD 66,000 - 89,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

401k with employer matching up to 4%

Paid holidays

Job summary

The Snoqualmie Indian Tribe is seeking a Forester with Level I–III responsibilities to support forest health, regeneration, and sustainable management of Ancestral Forest lands. The role combines field work, data collection, and collaboration with tribal teams to balance environmental, economic, and cultural priorities.

Level I–III duties progress from coordinating restoration activities to leading vegetation management, timber and permit processes, and interagency coordination.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in forestry, environmental science, biology, conservation biology, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum three years of forestry or natural resources experience (Level I).
• Experience in remote forest settings and working with Indigenous communities or Tribal governments.
• Knowledge of forest plants, habitats, and silvicultural practices.

Responsibilities

• Assist with forest restoration activities such as thinning, replanting, and fuel reduction.
• Coordinate field logistics and safety briefings for workers and contractors.
• Develop and maintain mapping and data to support forest management and tribal access to resources.

Skills

Independent work

Team collaboration

Problem solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in forestry or related field

Tools

TAAMS

GIS

Remote sensing

Forest inventory software

Job description

Description

The Forester will support the Tribe’s work to promote forest health and diversity and sustainable harvests from Snoqualmie Tribe forested lands. The Forester will assist with, or be responsible for, depending on level, planning, recommending, and implementing strategies for forest regeneration, growth, and health while balancing environmental, economic, and cultural factors.

Essential Duties:

Level I – Forest Coordinator

• Assist Tribal staff and contractors conducting forest restoration activities including wildfire fuel reduction, thinning, and replanting.
• Assist with coordinating field logistics such as road use agreements, gate keys, vehicle and equipment checks, and briefings on safety, remote medical emergencies, and radio/GPS communications.
• Assist with establishing and maintaining a tracking system for forest products harvested by Tribal Members to inform sustainable management and long-term Tribal Member needs from the Forest.
• Assist with developing policies and educating staff and Tribal Members about safety precautions and culturally appropriate forest activities.
• Identify and coordinate with external parties offering relevant training or educational opportunities relating to management of the Ancestral Forest and Tribal Member access and connection to the Forest.
• Collaborate with the Tribal Lands Resource Engagement (TLRE) team to strengthen relationships between Tribal Members and the Ancestral Forest.
• Assist TLRE staff in advising Tribal staff and contractors working on environmental monitoring and forest restoration projects within the Ancestral Forest so that Indigenous knowledge is incorporated into forest management activities and forest treatments protect plants, animals, and features that are culturally critical to Snoqualmie people.
• Work with the Snoqualmie Tribe Ancestral Forest (STAF) Interdisciplinary Team to coordinate road maintenance or site disturbance activities in the Forest to ensure DAHP review and compatibility with other forest uses and monitor and report Forest road conditions.
• Assist other Tribal staff in developing databases and maps related to the Ancestral Forest that help protect Tribal sensitive information.
• Support all Forest work programs including Uplands, Tribal Lands Resource Engagement, Wildland Fire, Restoration, Wildlife, Water Quality, and others as needed.
• Maintain any vehicles and equipment inventory provided for work-related uses in accordance with Tribal policies and procedures.
• Escort contractors on Tribal Lands and across easement roads.

Level II - Forester

Performs all duties of Level I, plus:

• Assist with developing and implementing a vegetation management plan consistent with the Tribe’s forest management goals and objectives.
• Perform forestry and silviculture work and collaborate with the STAF Interdisciplinary Team on forest management activities.
• Participate in forest health and forest regeneration projects, including field work and data collection to help assess survival rates, tree growth, and site occupancy
• Perform forestry fieldwork including stand assessments, layout, inventory updates, and other activities supporting timber sales and forest management.
• Assist with developing timber sale contracts, forest officer reports, and related forestry documentation consistent with silvicultural practices and the Tribe’s goals and objectives.
• Implement vegetation management strategies and forest health monitoring in coordination with the STAF Interdisciplinary Team.
• Participate in sustainable and ecologically sound forest management and restoration activities, including forest growth and carbon modeling, annual inventory updates, and other activities.
• Prepare and maintain maps and spatial data to support forestry projects and program needs.
• Assist with permit preparation and planning; including developing timber sale documents, NEPA and ESA documents, ESA Section 7 consultation materials, timber sale advertisement and award approval, timber sale closeout approval, and other relevant materials.

Level III – Senior Forester

Performs all duties of Level I & II, plus:

• Serve as the Tribe’s subject matter expert in silviculture and provide technical leadership for forest management activities.
• Develop and implement a vegetation management plan to promote healthy growth of diverse species that are priorities for the Tribe and consistent with the Tribe’s Forest Management Plan.
• Plan and manage forest health and regeneration projects to maximize survival rates, tree growth, and site occupancy. Monitor forest conditions, including survival, wildlife damage, insects, and diseases, and recommend intervention strategies. Use inventory and growth modeling, including wildlife impact observations, to inform adaptive management. Responsibilities may include plant nursery orders, grower contracts, and planting crews.
• Conduct timber reconnaissance of forest stands and logging units, evaluate stand conditions and environmental considerations, and recommend appropriate silvicultural prescriptions and stand treatments.
• Design and layout prescriptions for commercial and non-commercial timber harvests consistent with silvicultural practices and the Tribe’s goals and objectives.
• Conduct timber sale cruises and volume estimates to prepare forest units for market appraisals and quality control monitoring.
• Develop silvicultural regimes and maintain accurate forest inventories through data collection, remeasurement, modeling, monitoring, and adaptive management, including oversight of FIA subcontracts and other inventory activities.
• Prepare and submit applications for forest practice permits in accordance with applicable state and/or federal standards.
• Prepare and administer contracts for forestry work in compliance with the Tribe’s financial and other internal policies and procedures.
• Prepare and maintain forestry reports, maps, spatial records, and environmental documentation required by the Tribe, BIA, and grants, including forest officer reports, trust asset accounting, close-out reports, annual reports, and semi-annual desk audits.
• Provide technical expertise and advice to Tribal community members and staff, and participate in community outreach activities and events.
• Establish and maintain a tracking system for trust forest products that meets BIA requirements, including scale agreements, TAAMS, and related records.
• Advise Tribal staff and contractors working on environmental monitoring and forest restoration projects within the Ancestral Forest to incorporate Indigenous Knowledge into forest management activities and protect plants, animals, and features that are culturally critical to Snoqualmie people.
• Coordinate with the STAF Interdisciplinary Team and federal agencies on environmental review and regulatory compliance, including NEPA, ESA, Section 7 consultation, development and codification of a Tribal Environmental Review process under ITARA, and related documentation.

Additional Duties:

• The Tribe values its commitment to community service and the well-being of its members. In recognition of this, each employee may be expected to perform duties from time to time which may not be related to their regular responsibilities.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Level I –

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.
• Ability to analyze operational problems and develop solutions.
• Ability to make sound, timely decisions in stressful, fast-paced situations while following Tribal procedures and direction.
• Ability to use computer programs to input and analyze inventory data and support forest management activities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Knowledge of and commitment to learning and safeguarding Snoqualmie Tribal cultural and traditional practices, including traditional planting and harvesting across the Tribe’s ancestral lands.
• Knowledge of forest plants, animals, and habitats, and best management practices for restoring and protecting forest ecosystems.
• Commitment to safe work practices and ability to assist with emergency response during duty hours in the forest.
• Willingness to support the Tribal Wildland Fire response team and participate in training related to the Tribe’s wildland fire preparedness and cultural burning activities.
• A commitment to environmental stewardship and cultural preservation, particularly in relation to Snoqualmie Tribal traditions and ancestral lands.
• Ability and willingness to work in remote forest environments.

Level II –

Requires the position requirements of Level I, plus:

• Knowledge of silviculture strategies, forest ecology, and sustainable forest management including mensuration and forest biology with respect for Indigenous Knowledge.
• Knowledge of GIS, remote sensing, geoprocessing, and other mapping tools, with the ability to compile and analyze data and prepare maps, graphs, technical narratives, and reports.
• Skill in contract preparation, administration, and reporting.
• Knowledge of forest operations, timber sale administration, and contract compliance requirements.
• Working knowledge of laws, rules, and regulations applicable to forest management activities, including the Washington State Forest Practices Act, Timber, Fish & Wildlife regulations, Bureau of Indian Affairs requirements, NEPA, ESA, and 25 CFR 163.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, facilitation, and negotiation skills, with the ability to establish effective working relationships and contribute as part of a team.
• Strong navigation, orienteering, and remote forest safety skills, with the ability to work safely in challenging terrain and weather conditions.

Level III –

Requires the position requirements of Level I & II, plus:

• Advanced knowledge of silviculture, forest ecology, mensuration, timber management planning, and sustainable forest management.
• Advanced knowledge of Pacific Northwest forest types, site productivity, stocking levels, growth and yield, forest health, and stand treatment strategies.
• Advanced knowledge of timber sale planning, administration, compliance, forest operations, and forest engineering practices.
• Advanced knowledge of GIS, remote sensing, geoprocessing, forest inventory, and modeling tools used to support forest management decisions.
• Knowledge of forest economics and timber markets applicable to forest management and timber sale planning.

Education & Experience:

Education Required:

Level I, II and III-

• Bachelor’s degree in forestry, environmental science, biology, conservation biology, or related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the essential functions of the position; or at least three (3) years of relevant forestry or natural resources experience may be considered in lieu of the degree requirement.

Experience:

Level I -

• A minimum of three (3) years of experience in cultural practices, forestry, conservation, or natural resource management is required.
• Experience working in a remote forest setting is required.
• Experience working with Indigenous communities or Tribal governments is required.
• Experience identifying forest plants, animals, and habitats is required.

Level II-

Requires the experience of Level I; plus:

• Minimum of five (5) years of forestry experience, which may include professional, volunteer or internship environments.
• Experience with forest layout activities.
• Experience with GIS and other mapping platforms.
• Experience preparing, submitting, and managing Forest Practices Applications/Notifications.
• Experience preparing maps for permits.
• Experience with the Trust Asset and Accounting Management System (TAAMS). Must be able to pass a federal background check required for TAAMS access.
• Experience in radio or satellite remote communication systems is preferred.

Level III –

Requires the experience of Levels I and II, plus:

• Minimum of six (6) years of professional forestry experience with specific silvicultural duties including preparation of forest health and timber sale projects, timber growth modeling, and cruise data compilation.
• Experience working with forest operations contractors and applying forest practice rules and best management practices.
• Experience independently planning and managing all phases of commercial timber sales, including field layout, permitting, administration, compliance, and closeout.
• Experience developing and maintaining productive relationships with internal and external partners.
• Experience developing Tribal forestry policies, procedures, or regulations consistent with ITARA, NEPA, ESA, 25 CFR Part 163, and other applicable requirements is preferred.
• Experience working with Tribal governments managing a Tribal forestry program or project is preferred.
• Experience working with forest engineering projects is preferred.

Certifications/Licenses:

• Must have a valid driver’s license without restrictions and have a minimum of two (2) years of experience driving in remote forest terrain and on primitive logging roads.
• May be required to obtain an Herbicide Applicator’s License to oversee herbicide contract crews. (Level II and III)

Other Requirements:

• Must be able to pass a thorough background and character investigation including fingerprint background.
• Must agree to be subject to the Tribe's Controlled Substance and Alcohol Testing Policy to include pre-employment screening.

Location:

• Tribal offices are located in Snoqualmie, WA, but much of the work will occur in the Sultan, WA to Index, WA areas.

Work Environment:

• The work environment is a combination of field and office work and includes the ability to work safely and efficiently within a rugged forested landscape. Tribal offices are in Snoqualmie, WA, but much of the work will occur in the Sultan, WA to Index, WA areas.
• This position requires an ability to safely work long hours in inclement weather. The employee is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, as well as warm weather, severe winter weather, steep slopes, and brushy field conditions. Field work for this position includes hiking off-trail and carrying field supplies and other equipment on uneven terrain.
• This position may also include controlled burning and fire suppression, and therefore smoke exposure. Appropriate PPE will be provided.

Tribal Preference:

The Snoqualmie Indian Tribe follows the Tribal Hiring Preference as outlined in tribal policies, including the Tribal Employment Rights Ordinance (TERO). TERO sets forth certain hiring preferences for qualified individuals who are enrolled in a federally recognized Indian tribe, as well as, in some cases, preference for certain family members of those individuals.

Additional Information:

• Compensation will be determined based on experience and starts at $31.56 per hour for level I, 36.62 per hour for level II and 42.66 for Level III
• This position is a full-time position and employment is at will.

Benefits:

• First of the month following date of hire - competitive medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance benefits for all regular full-time employees.
• After 90 days - 401k retirement plan with employer matching contributions up to 4%.
• Paid Holidays - Up to 18 paid holidays are offered every calendar year, which includes the workdays between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day.
• Paid Time Off – Employees accrue 12+ days sick and vacation leave respectively. Increases based on years of service.

Additional Perks:

• Additional time off opportunities available including bereavement, military, parental and jury duty.
• Childcare subsidy for children enrolled full-time in the Snoqualmie Tribe Child Development Center.
• Employee discounts at Snoqualmie Casino (tickets/events, gift shop and restaurants), Salish Lodge & Spa (rooms, spa & dining) and Crescent Market (gas discount card).
• Third party perks include movie tickets, theme parks, shows and attractions & more.
• Employee assistance plans.