Registered Professional Forester (RPF)

Society of American Foresters.; Folsom (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

DJ&A in California is seeking a Registered Professional Forester to join our forestry team and lead THP preparation, submission, and administration in compliance with the California Forest Practice Rules and CEQA. This role balances office work with extensive field work on timberland properties, combining technical forestr y skills with regulatory navigation.

You will hike rugged terrain, delineate boundaries and protection zones, supervise crews, and stay current with changes in state policy.

Qualifications

• Active RPF license issued by the California Board of Forestry
• Valid California driver's license; ability to travel to timberland properties
• Bachelor's degree in Forestry, Natural Resources Management, or closely related field
• Minimum of 3 years of professional forestry experience, including direct experience preparing and administering California THPs
• Working knowledge of the California Forest Practice Rules, Forest Practice Act, and CEQA as applied to timber harvesting
• Proficiency with GIS software (ArcGIS), GPS units, and standard timber cruising
• Ability to hike steep, rugged terrain for extended periods while carrying field equipment
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

Responsibilities

• Prepare and administer Timber Harvesting Plans (THPs).
• Conduct field reconnaissance, timber cruising, resource assessments, and field evaluations.
• Delineate and flag harvest unit boundaries, watercourse and lake protection zones (WLPZs), equipment exclusion zones, and other plan‑required features in the field.
• Crew oversight and supervision and conformance with approved plans and Forest Practice Rules.
• Participate in work planning and forecasting during team calls.
• Stay current on changes to California Forest Practice Rules, Board of Forestry policy, and CEQA requirements as applied to timber operations.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

RPF license

Field reconnaissance

THP preparation

GIS (ArcGIS)

GPS proficiency

Regulatory docs

Communication skills

Terrain navigation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Forestry or Natural Resources

Tools

ArcGIS software

GPS devices

Job description

As a Registered Professional Forester (RPF) for DJ&A, you will join our talented forestry team and be responsible for preparing, submitting, and administering Timber Harvesting Plans (THPs) and related timber operation documents in compliance with the California Forest Practice Rules (14 CCR) and the Professional Foresters Law (Public Resources Code §§ 750–783). You will be comfortable splitting time between office-based plan preparation and extensive field work on timberland properties, combining your strong technical forestry skills with hands‑on experience navigating California's regulatory review process.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare and administer Timber Harvesting Plans (THPs).
• Conduct field reconnaissance, timber cruising, resource assessments, and field evaluations.
• Delineate and flag harvest unit boundaries, watercourse and lake protection zones (WLPZs), equipment exclusion zones, and other plan‑required features in the field.
• Crew oversight and supervision and conformance with approved plans and Forest Practice Rules.
• Participate in work planning and forecasting during team calls.
• Stay current on changes to the California Forest Practice Rules, Board of Forestry policy, and CEQA requirements as applied to timber operations.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Active Registered Professional Forester (RPF) license issued by the California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection
• Valid California driver's license and ability to travel regularly to timberland properties in a company‑provided truck.
• Bachelor's degree in Forestry, Natural Resources Management, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of professional forestry experience, including direct experience preparing and administering California THPs.
• Working knowledge of the California Forest Practice Rules (14 CCR), the Forest Practice Act, and CEQA as applied to timber harvesting.
• Proficiency with GIS software (e.g., ArcGIS), GPS units, and standard timber cruising
• Ability to hike steep, rugged terrain for extended periods in variable weather conditions while carrying field equipment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce clear, technically accurate regulatory documents.

Preferred Qualifications

• Established working relationships with CAL FIRE review teams and other California regulatory agencies.
• Experience with Modified THPs, Exemptions, Emergency Notices, and/or Nonindustrial Timber Management Plans (NTMPs).
• Familiarity with timberlands in the Sierra Nevada and greater Sacramento region.
• Experience supervising or mentoring foresters‑in‑training (RPF candidates).