Forestry Technician

Washburn, County of (WI); Town of Spooner (WI); On-site; USD 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Washburn County is seeking a skilled equipment operator to assist in county forest operations under the direction of the Forest Administrator. The role involves heavy equipment operation, fire suppression, timber sale establishment, line work, and related duties.

The candidate should have experience with heavy equipment, GPS/GIS familiarity, and be able to work in various weather conditions. A Wisconsin CDL is required within 6 months of hire.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Experience with heavy equipment operation, maintenance and repair.
• Experience with fire control and suppression.
• Knowledge of GPS use and GIS software.
• Natural resources degree preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Assist with timber sale marking, boundaries, cruising, road layout, scaling and contract enforcement.
• Operate equipment to support silviculture, recreation and other activities.
• Perform fire control duties.
• Mow and maintain wildlife openings and trails.
• Transport equipment with tractor-trailer semi.
• Perform maintenance on equipment.
• Operate chainsaws and brush saws as needed.
• Conduct timber stand improvement projects.
• Operate GPS and GIS tools.
• Perform other duties as required.

Skills

Forestry equipment use

GPS & GIS

Communicate with public

Work under supervision

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Natural resources degree (preferred)

Tools

GPS units

GIS software

Dozer

Grader

Tractor

Dump truck

ATV

Job description

This position works under the close direction of the Forest Administrator and the Assistant Forest Administrator or their designee in the operation of heavy equipment; fire suppression, prescribed burning, timber sale establishment, basic forestry work, line establishment, and other duties as required. The general purpose of this position is to assist in all areas of the operation of the County Forest as needed.The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be assigned or required.

• Assist with timber sale marking, boundaries, cruising, road layout, scaling, and timber sale contract enforcement.
• Operate equipment in support of silviculture, recreation and other activities.
• Perform fire control duties.
• Mow and maintain wildlife openings and trails.
• Transport equipment with tractor-trailer semi.
• Perform maintenance on equipment.
• Operate chain and brush saws to
• Conduct timber stand improvement projects.
• Operate ATV and seeder to seed roads and trails.
• Plant trees and assist with supervision of contract tree planters; tree pickup; and seedling sorting and handling.
• Erect and maintain gates, berms and signs.
• Maintain forestry shop, buildings, and surrounding grounds.
• Operate GPS equipment and basic GIS software
• Perform other duties as required.

• Knowledge of methods and practices used in forestry equipment operation; tree identification; air photo interpretation; map and compass use; GPS equipment and GIS software; fire suppression and control.
• Knowledge of basic forestry skills; welders and acetylene torch.
• Ability to deal and communicate effectively with the general public.
• Ability to work under adverse weather conditions.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions and to carry out projects and assignments with limited supervision.
• Knowledge of general and mechanical maintenance.
• Skill in use and care of tools and equipment used.
• Good physical condition necessary to perform the duties of the position.

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING REQUIRED

High School Diploma or General Education Diploma required. Experience with heavy equipment operation, maintenance, and repair. Experience with fire control and suppression. Knowledge of general GPS use and GIS software or principals. Degree in natural resources field preferred but not required.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Valid Wisconsin Commercial Driver’s License or ability to obtain one within 6 months of hire date. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms. The employee frequently is required to stand and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk; sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell.

The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

Dozer; grader; tractor; brush hog mower; tractor and semi-trailer; pickup truck; dump truck; ATV; snowmobile; chain and brush saws; electric motors; pumps; miscellaneous hand and power tools; carpentry, painting, plumbing, electrical, cement finishing tools; GPS units; GIS software.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in outside weather conditions. The employee frequently works near moving mechanical parts and is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and vibration. The employee occasionally works in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and risk of electrical shock.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately loud.

CLOSING STATEMENT

This position description has been prepared to assist in defining job responsibilities, physical demands, working conditions and skills needed. It is not intended as a complete list of job duties, responsibilities and/or essential functions. This description is not intended to limit or modify the right of the supervisor to assign, direct and control the work of employees under supervision. The County retains and reserves any and all rights to change, modify, amend, add to, or delete from any section of this document as it deems, in its judgement, to be proper.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. The duties are subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change