Natural Resources Specialist (Forestry Inventory Technician)

Virginia Tech; Blacksburg (VA); On-site; USD 51,577,344 - 65,904,384; Full time

Job summary

Virginia Tech is seeking Forest Inventory Technicians to support field crews on conservation projects across diverse forested landscapes. You will collect, record, and manage data related to forest inventory and vegetation monitoring, working with a collaborative field team under standardized protocols.

Responsibilities include basic data entry, QA/QC, and assisting with summaries and reports. Outdoors work in varied terrain and weather, with attention to detail and strong teamwork required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Forestry or allied field or equivalent experience.
• Experience in field crew surveys of natural resources.
• Knowledge of forest inventory methods and measurements.
• Ability to identify common tree species in Mid-Atlantic/Southeast US.
• Willingness to work outdoors in varied conditions.
• Valid driver's license and ability to pass background checks.
• Experience with MS Office, GPS/GNSS, and ESRI GIS software.

Responsibilities

• Assist Principal Investigators on forest inventory and vegetation monitoring projects.
• Collect data, record observations, and manage data according to protocols.
• Follow standardized data collection protocols and maintain field equipment.
• Perform QA/QC reviews and assist with written summaries and reports.

Skills

Fieldwork teamwork

Attention to detail

Data recording & QA/QC

Education

Bachelor's degree in Forestry or related field

Tools

ArcGIS Pro

ArcGIS Online

GPS/GNSS

Field data collection platforms

Excel

Word

Job description

Job Description

Forest Inventory Technicians will assist Principal Investigators on a variety of natural resource and conservation projects within the Virginia Tech Conservation Management Institute. Technicians will work as part of a collaborative field team to collect, record, and manage data related to forest inventory and vegetation monitoring across diverse forested landscapes. Responsibilities include conducting forest measurements, vegetation surveys, forest fuels assessments, and related natural resource field investigations. Technicians will be expected to follow standardized data collection protocols, maintain field equipment, and ensure accurate and complete data records. Additional duties may include performing basic data entry, quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) reviews, and assisting with the preparation of written summaries and reports. Successful candidates should be comfortable working outdoors in varied terrain and weather conditions and demonstrate strong attention to detail, teamwork, and communication skills.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Forestry, Forest Resources, Natural Resources, Environmental Science, Ecology, Wildlife Science, Biology, or a closely related field; or an equivalent combination of education and relevant field experience.
• Experience working as part of a field crew conducting natural resource, forest inventory, vegetation, or ecological surveys.
• Knowledge of forest inventory methods and procedures, including measuring tree and stand attributes such as species, diameter, height, regeneration, and forest health indicators.
• Ability to identify common tree species and other vegetation found throughout the Mid-Atlantic and southeastern United States.
• Ability and willingness to work outdoors for extended periods in remote locations and under adverse weather, terrain, and field conditions, including carrying field equipment and hiking over rough terrain.
• Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record and the ability to successfully complete background checks required for access to military installations and other restricted properties.
• Experience using Microsoft Office applications (particularly Excel and Word), GPS/GNSS equipment, mobile data collection platforms, and ESRI GIS software (e.g., ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, Field Maps).

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience conducting forest inventory, timber cruising, forest health monitoring, FIA-style inventories, or related forestry fieldwork.
• Experience using electronic data collection devices, tablets, and GIS-based field applications.
• Familiarity with soils characterization, forest fuels assessments, and vegetation monitoring protocols.
• Experience working on federally managed lands, military installations, or other large-scale natural resource management projects.

Pay Band

3

Overtime Status

Non-Exempt: Eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

18-23/hour

Hours per week

40

Review Date

08/07/2026

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Verl Emrick at [e-mail] during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.