Forester 1 - Swan Unit

State of Montana; Swan Lake (NY); On-site; USD 40,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated professional to join their team in managing and protecting vital forest resources. This role involves overseeing forest improvement projects, coordinating timber sales, and ensuring sustainable practices on state lands. The ideal candidate will thrive in a collaborative environment, utilizing their expertise in forest management principles and GIS analysis to make impactful decisions. With a focus on stewardship for future generations, this position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the conservation of Montana's natural resources while enjoying a supportive workplace that values professional growth and teamwork.

Benefits

Paid Vacation

Health Coverage

Dental Coverage

Vision Coverage

Retirement Plans

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Forest Management or related field required.
• 1-2 seasons of experience in forest management preferred.

Responsibilities

• Plan and implement forest improvement activities on trust lands.
• Coordinate timber sales and maintain trust land databases.
• Assist in wildland fire suppression activities.

Skills

Forest Management Principles

GIS Analysis

Timber Cruising

Wildland Fire Suppression Techniques

Communication Skills

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Forest Management

Tools

Resource Management Software

4-Wheel Drive Vehicles

ATVs/UTVs

Job description

Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation's mission is to help ensure that Montana's land and water resources provide benefits for present and future generations.

The DNRC believes employees are their most important asset. The DNRC empowers employees to exercise professional judgment in carrying out their duties. Employees are provided with the training and tools necessary to achieve the mission. Both team effort and individual employee expertise are supported and sustained.

Core Values:

The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation’s Forestry and Trust Land Division recognizes that building a collaborative, professional, and inclusive work environment is critical to fulfilling our mission of managing, protecting, and promoting stewardship of Montana’s forests and lands for the benefit of current and future generations and our trust beneficiaries. We hold ourselves to these high standards as we are accountable to the people of Montana.

• We value and respect each other.
• We create collaborative work environments.
• We build and maintain strong relationships.
• We practice accountability.
• We celebrate our successes and take pride in our work.

Work Unit Overview: The mission of the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) is to ensure that State and private lands and water resources provide benefits for present and future generations.

Job Overview: This position performs professional forest improvement and forest management activities within the forest management program of the Swan Unit, under the general supervision of the Forester 2.

The incumbent plans, coordinates and implements projects necessary to oversee forest improvement treatments on trust parcels including thinning, timber stand improvement, hazard and fuels reductions, forest regeneration projects, and weed management. The incumbent will be required to assist in projects on trust lands to sell timber, assist in road maintenance needs and other related activities. The incumbent may also be required to assist in prescribed fire treatments. These forest improvement and forest management activities will occur within the boundaries of the Swan Unit.

Essential Functions (Major Duties or Responsibilities): These job functions are the essential duties of the position and are not all-inclusive of all the duties that may be assigned to the incumbent.

Trust Land Management (50% of time)
Assist in planning, coordinating and evaluating activities on state endowment trust lands to maximize net revenue, to provide for the sustainable use of the land and associated resources, and to ensure adherence to state and federal laws and regulations.

Coordinate and perform inventory monitoring to identify and prioritize timber sales and maintain Trust Land databases by extracting reports, performing GIS analysis, and conducting fieldwork to verify and update records.

Establish project boundaries, negotiate access easements.

Design specifications for aerial and/or ground-based logging systems.

Design /maintain road systems, stream crossings and bridges or reconstruction specifications for state land and or/adjacent ownership.

Assist implementation of timber-volume cruise designs and marking and participate in other sale layout activities.

Implement the habitat conservation plan and ensure compliance with silvicultural prescriptions.

Inventory and monitor land resources to assess conditions, trends and concerns, and complete statistical analyses, technical research, and financial analyses to determine the highest returns.

Prepare technical written reports concerning the impact of projects and prepare all sale-package documents for Land Office and Forest Management Bureau review and distribution. These include the Silvicultural Prescription, MEPA documents, Timber Sale Contract, Prospectus, Notice of Sale, Summary of Actions and other summaries of timber values, cruise documentation, forest improvement appraisal, road and logging costs, and specifications.

Review and evaluate plans and proposals for technical accuracy and make recommendations to management on the feasibility of proposals covering their area of expertise.

Work within assigned allocation of budget and capital while ensuring harvest goals are met.

Forest Improvement Projects (35% of time)
Plan, coordinate and implement forest improvement activities on state endowment trust lands to provide for the sustainable use of the land and associated resources, and to ensure adherence to state and federal laws and regulations.

Coordinate, design, and plan forest improvement projects to include thinning, timber stand improvement, hazard and fuels reduction, and weed control.

Establish and mark project boundaries.

Design and implement forest improvement timber cruises.

Assist in forest improvement project contract preparation.

Implement forest improvement projects by administering contracts.

Assist in implementing prescribed fire projects.

Conduct field work to verify and update inventory and treatment records.

Assist in forest regeneration projects to include planting contract administration.

Implement the habitat conservation plan and ensure compliance with silvicultural prescriptions.

Wildland Fire Suppression (10% of time)
Perform wildland fire suppression activities on and off the Swan Unit as required based on unit priorities. The incumbent will be required to pass an annual arduous pack test that consists of carrying a 45-pound pack a distance of 3 miles within 45 minutes.

APPLICATION MATERIALS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION ARE:

• Online State of Montana application
• Resume
• Cover Letter

HELPFUL HINT:You must check the “relevant document” box to ensure your attachments are uploading correctly to the specific application.

Benefits:

• Paid Vacation, Sick Leave and Holidays
• Health, Dental, Prescription, and Vision Coverage
• Retirement Plans
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) – Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under the PSLF. Look here,https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-serviceto learn more and see if you may qualify!

*If you are interested in a complete job description, please contact HR at [e-mail].

Minimum Qualifications:

The required knowledge, skills and abilities are typically acquired through a bachelor’s degree in Forest Management or a related resource management field with 1-2 seasons of progressively responsible job-related professional experience in forest management or natural resource management. A combination of education and experience may be considered on a case by case basis.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

The position requires knowledge of forest management principles and practices; equipment and techniques used in forest management projects and operations; forest practices and hazard reduction laws, Administrative Rules, standards, guidelines, policies and procedures related to forest management operations and activities; and knowledge of the Montana Environmental Policy Act and related laws and rules governing natural resource management. Knowledge of the terminology, principles, methods and approaches used in silviculture, ecology, hydrology, wildlife and fisheries biology. Specific knowledge of plant taxonomy, habitat typing, timber cruising, log scaling, harvesting systems, data collection and sampling techniques; road design and layout; fire behavior, fire suppression techniques, land surveying and timber appraisal procedures.

An essential function of the position is the ability to pass an arduous pack test as well as be capable of vigorous physical activity in all types of weather. The position requires working alone in the field, including winter conditions (using tire chains) and navigating with a map and compass.

The position requires skill in the use and operation of tools, equipment and vehicles used in wildland fire control, forest management activities and field office operations; operation of 4-wheel drive vehicles, ATVs/UTVs and skill in the use of computer hardware and software related to forest management business operations (word processing, spreadsheets, internet, e-mail and smart devices) and specialized resource management software.

The position requires the ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing to individuals, groups and representatives from other organizations; the ability to coordinate and direct multiple resources to complete work objectives, work on multiple projects simultaneously; work well with others and maintain a positive working environment. The position often works independently and requires critical thinking skills as they work in remote work conditions and may encounter various hazards throughout a typical workday including wildlife, road conditions, and hazardous terrain.

SPECIAL INFORMATION:

Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States. A valid driver's license is required with less than 12 conviction points in the most recent, completed 36 months.

ELIGIBILITY TO WORK:

In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act, the person selected must produce within three days of hire documents that show authorization to work in the United States. Examples of such documentation include a birth certificate or Social Security card along with a driver’s license or other picture I.D., or a U.S. passport, or a "green card"