Timberland Forester II

Rayonier Operating Company LLC; Lufkin (TX); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

401(k) with match

Hybrid work options

Paid vacation

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Rayonier Operating Company LLC in Texas is seeking a proactive Timberlands Forester II to join our Southwest team. You will plan and execute harvesting, silviculture, and resource management activities while prioritizing safety, asset value, and financial performance.

This role encompasses budgeting, site planning, contract oversight, and leadership of project teams. You will work with contractors, ensure compliance with BMPs, and support land transactions and stakeholder engagement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Forestry or related field; applicable experience may substitute.
• 1–3 years of forestry experience.
• Knowledge of Sustainable Forestry Initiative requirements, BMPs, and safety laws.
• Experience planning and estimating costs for forestry projects.
• Proficiency with GIS and MS 365 applications.

Responsibilities

• Lead financial management activities including budgeting for silvicultural investments.
• Design site activity plans aligned with regional land management strategies.
• Appraise, negotiate, and administer contractor agreements for silviculture and harvesting.
• Lead project teams and provide technical training to staff and contractors.
• Support land transactions and manage non-timber property assets.
• Promote safety, environmental compliance, and stakeholder engagement.

Skills

Forestry knowledge

Geographic Information Systems

Budgeting

Communication

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Forestry or related field

Tools

GIS

Microsoft 365

Job description

Company Overview: Come grow with us! We are One Rayonier, a team that works together to create value by prioritizing safety, challenging the status quo, giving back to our communities, and driving innovation through continuous learning. With nearly 100 years of experience, we’re still discovering new ways to make lives better with our trees, our land, and — our most important resource — our people. At Rayonier, we strive to create an employee experience where you feel valued and proud to be part of our team. We foster a respectful, inclusive and collaborative environment that celebrates your unique talents and perspectives. Experience the Rayonier difference: We’re big enough to offer exciting career paths, but small enough for you to know your colleagues by name. Come join a team that empowers you to make a difference! Are you a forestry professional ready to take the next step in driving sustainable land management and operational excellence? Rayonier is seeking a proactive Timberlands Forester II to join our Southwest team. In this role, you will play a key part in planning and executing harvesting, silviculture, and resource management activities while optimizing financial performance, safety, and long-term asset value of our forests.

How You Will Contribute

Financial Management

Prepare stand- and project-level budget inputs for annual operating, expense, and capital programs. Track operational expenditures against approved budgets and performance milestones. Develop financial projections for short- and long-term silvicultural investments. Adapt site-specific plans to meet financial targets and communicate variances promptly. Integrate cost-benefit considerations into operational decisions to maximize asset value.

Planning and Organizing

Design site activity plans aligned with broader regional land management strategies. Contribute data and field insights to one- and five-year silviculture and harvest schedules. Execute forest inventory plans by verifying stand boundaries, assigning prescriptions, and updating the forest management database. Plan and oversee silvicultural treatments, including reforestation, thinning, herbicide application, fertilization, and animal control. Assist with harvest layout, tactical marketing, and monitoring active operations to meet customer delivery commitments.

Contractor Administration

Appraise, negotiate, and administer operational contracts for silviculture, harvesting, and resource management. Conduct field inspections to ensure compliance with activity plans, safety protocols, and environmental standards. Supervise harvesting operations to support proper log sorting, quality control, merchandising, and volume targets. Review contractor invoices for accuracy against completed fieldwork and assign the appropriate General Ledger coding.

Project and Team Leadership

Lead project teams and provide technical training to employees and contractors. Evaluate contractor performance and document results to support vendor management decisions. Support external relations by leading public tours, stakeholder presentations, and community outreach activities.

Property Management

Support land transaction strategy by identifying, evaluating, and appraising parcels for acquisition, disposition, or trade. Manage non-timber property assets, including leases, special-use permits, boundary surveys, and neighboring landowner relationships. Participate in professional resource management organizations and represent Rayonier in occasional research studies and surveys.

Safety and Environmental

Promote compliance with all applicable Standard Operating Procedures, safety programs, forest stewardship principles, and Best Management Practices. Participate in safety reporting systems, safety committees, and hazard-identification programs. Represent the company in professional forestry associations, research cooperatives, and industry surveys.

What You Bring to the Team

Required Qualifications Education: Bachelor’s degree in Forestry or a related field, or equivalent experience in forestry operations. Experience: One (1) to three (3) years of forestry experience. Forestry and Operational Knowledge: Knowledge of forest management principles, including the ability to interpret deeds and legal descriptions; a thorough understanding of Sustainable Forestry Initiative requirements, Best Management Practices, and applicable safety laws; and experience planning and estimating costs for forestry projects. Financial and Analytical Skills: Experience in financial analysis, budgeting, and cost control, with the ability to understand key business drivers and incorporate financial considerations into operational decisions. Technology: Proficiency with Geographic Information Systems and Microsoft 365 applications. Communication and Relationships: Excellent written and verbal communication, interpersonal, and collaboration skills, with a proven ability to maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including contractors and regulatory agencies. Work Effectiveness and Leadership: Strong analytical, multitasking, planning, and organizational skills; initiative and innovation in improving business processes; and the ability to lead projects, coordinate work across teams, and deliver technical guidance.

Join a collaborative team dedicated to operational excellence.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

This role is physically demanding and requires the ability to navigate diverse and often challenging terrain. Key physical activities include: Extensive walking, hiking, and traversing varied landscapes, including uneven ground, slopes, wetlands, and dense vegetation for extended periods. Communicating with others to exchange information. Carrying equipment and supplies, including tools, gear, and other necessary items, over variable distances; lifting up to 50 pounds. Sustained physical exertion, including activities such as measurements, tree planting, brush clearing, or fire suppression for prolonged periods. Maintaining stability on uneven terrain, climbing over obstacles, and working in potentially precarious positions. Working outdoors in varying weather conditions, including extreme temperatures, wind, and precipitation. Operating machinery, power tools, and motor vehicles.

What We Offer

We offer a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life, accident, disability, identity theft protection, and paid parental and caregiver leave. We also offer a health savings account, a dependent care spending account, and an employee assistance plan. We provide wellness reimbursements, employee discount programs, annual health screenings, wellness incentives, wellness seminars, and financial counseling and planning tools. Our 401(k) retirement savings plan includes company matching contributions (60% match on the first 6% of base and bonus deferrals) as well as a 3% enhanced retirement contribution that does not require an employee contribution. We recognize the importance of work-life integration and offer flexible work schedules and hybrid work-from-home options for most positions, along with a minimum of three weeks of paid vacation, five paid personal days, 11 paid holidays, and paid sick leave each year. We provide a comprehensive employee development program with career-planning tools and resources, a mentoring program, leadership development, training programs, and 80% tuition reimbursement. We Value Our People We’re invested in your future and recognizing your success. Career development is a company-wide priority. We provide career planning tools and resources, paid training and development opportunities and offer 80% tuition reimbursement. We celebrate employees’ accomplishments with a robust rewards and recognition program. Relax, we’ve got you covered We offer a comprehensive benefits package including medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, life, accident and disability insurance. We also offer a health savings account, a dependent care spending account and an employee assistance plan. Our 401(k) retirement savings plan includes company matching contributions as well as enhanced retirement contributions. Work-Life Integration We recognize the challenges and importance of work-life integration and offer flexible work schedules and hybrid work from home options (for most positions). Our employees also enjoy a minimum of three weeks paid vacation, five paid personal days, eight paid holidays and three personal choice holidays, and paid sick leave each year. Paid caregiver and bonding leave are also offered. StayStrong Rayonier is committed to creating a culture of wellness. StayStrong, our health and wellness program, plays a key role in helping us reach our goal of attaining better health and financial wellness. Consistent with this goal, some of the things we offer include wellness reimbursements, annual health screenings, wellness incentives, mental health/physical wellbeing and financial seminars, and financial counseling and planning tools.

We Value Our People

We’re invested in your future and recognizing your success. Career development is a company-wide priority. We provide career planning tools and resources, paid training and development opportunities and offer 80% tuition reimbursement. We celebrate employees’ accomplishments with a robust rewards and recognition program.

Relax, we’ve got you covered

We offer a comprehensive benefits package including medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, life, accident and disability insurance. We also offer a health savings account, a dependent care spending account and an employee assistance plan. Our 401(k) retirement savings plan includes company matching contributions as well as enhanced retirement contributions.

Work-Life Integration

We recognize the challenges and importance of work-life integration and offer flexible work schedules and hybrid work from home options (for most positions). Our employees also enjoy a minimum of three weeks paid vacation, five paid personal days, eight paid holidays and three personal choice holidays, and paid sick leave each year. Paid caregiver and bonding leave are also offered.

StayStrong

Rayonier is committed to creating a culture of wellness. StayStrong, our health and wellness program, plays a key role in helping us reach our goal of attaining better health and financial wellness. Consistent with this goal, some of the things we offer include wellness reimbursements, annual health screenings, wellness incentives, mental health/physical wellbeing and financial seminars, and financial counseling and planning tools.