Timberlands Forester I

Rayonier; Warren (AR); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) with company match

Hybrid/work-from-home options

Paid vacation

Job summary

Rayonier is seeking a Timberlands Forester I in Warren, Arkansas. This developmental role offers hands-on experience under seasoned forestry leaders, building technical, financial, and operational skills to manage land resources independently.

The role emphasizes budgeting, field inventory, silviculture planning, contractor administration, and safety, with exposure to GIS and Microsoft 365 tools while supporting land management decisions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Forestry, Forest Management, Natural Resources, or related field; or an associate degree with forestry experience; or an equivalent combination.
• No prior professional forestry experience required with qualifying degree; otherwise relevant forestry experience preferred.
• Foundational knowledge of forestry and forest management principles; willingness to learn silviculture, harvesting, and land management practices.
• Basic computer skills; ability to learn GIS and forestry-related technology; proficiency with Microsoft 365.
• Strong written and verbal communication; ability to work independently and in a team.

Responsibilities

• Assist in gathering stand- and project-level information for budgeting and capital programs.
• Track expenditures and variances; help prepare cost estimates for silvicultural investments.
• Develop understanding of financial drivers in forest management decisions; adapt plans as needed.
• Assist in developing site activity plans and long-term silviculture plans.
• Support forest inventory activities and prescription development; assist with field activities.
• Assist with contractor administration and ensure compliance with SOPs and BMPs.
• Participate in forestry project teams; share updates with leadership and partners.
• Assist with property management activities, acquisitions, dispositions, and leases.
• Follow safety, BMPs, and SOPs; report hazards and participate in training.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Forestry (or related field)

Associate degree with forestry experience

Tools

GIS

Microsoft 365

Job description

Company OverviewCome 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 recent forestry graduate or early-career professional in forestry or natural resources ready to turn your passion for the outdoors into a rewarding career? Rayonier is seeking a proactive Timberlands Forester I to join our team. In this developmental role, you will gain hand-on experience under the mentorship of seasoned forestry leaders, building the technical, financial, and operational skills needed to manage land resources independently.

Financial Management

• Assist with gathering stand-and project-level information used in the annual operating budget, contracted services, expense programs, and capital programs.
• Track expenditures and operational results for assigned activities and communicate potential variances.
• Assist with preparing cost estimates and financial information for silvicultural investments and other forestry projects.
• Develop an understanding of financial considerations and key business drivers associated with forest management decisions.
• Complete assigned activities in a cost-effective manner while balancing operational and forest management objectives.
• Assist with adapting site-specific plans as needed to achieve desired results and communicate significant deviations.

Planning & Organizing

• Assist in developing and implementing site activity plans consistent with unit-level strategies.
• Support the development of annual and long-term silviculture plans.
• Assist with forest inventory activities, including verifying stand delineations, collecting field information, updating databases, and supporting prescription development.
• Assist with planning and executing reforestation, thinning, herbicide application, fertilization, surveying, slash management, and other silvicultural activities.
• Assist harvesting teams with unit layout and other field activities as assigned.

Contractor Administration

• Assist with the administration of contracts related to silviculture, land management and forestry activities.
• Monitor and inspect contractor operations for compliance with site activity plans, standard operating procedures, safety requirements, Best Management Practices, and contractual requirements.
• Verify completed work and assist with reviewing invoices for accuracy and payment.
• Develop knowledge of contractor performance expectations, costs, and operational requirements.

Project & Team Support

• Participate on forestry and resource management project teams and coordinate assigned field activities with guidance from experienced forestry staff.
• Share field observations, operational information, and project updates with team members and leadership.
• Build effective working relationships with contractors, employees, landowners, and other external partners.
• Participate in public relations activities, presentations, property tours, research activities, and other assigned projects.

Property Management

• Assist with property management activities involving acquisitions, dispositions, trades, harvest sequencing, and other land management decisions.
• Support property inspections and the collection of information used in property appraisals and evaluations.
• Assist with assigned non-timber activities, which may include leases, special uses, surveys, and adjacent landowner interactions.
• Participate in recreational use programs and other land management initiatives.

Safety & Environmental

• Follow all applicable Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), safety programs, forest stewardship principles, and Best Management Practices (BMPs).
• Monitor field activities and promptly communicate safety, environmental, or operational concerns; participate in required safety training and hazard-reporting programs.
• Develop working knowledge of SFI requirements, BMPs, environmental requirements, and applicable forestry regulations. Participate in professional development opportunities and forestry-related organizations as appropriate.

Required Qualifications

Education:

Bachelor's degree in Forestry, Forest Management, Natural Resources, or a related field; or an associate degree with relevant forestry experience; or an equivalent combination of education and practical forestry experience.

Experience:

No prior professional forestry experience required for candidates possessing a qualifying bachelor's degree. Candidates qualifying through equivalent education and experience should demonstrate foundational experience in forestry, natural resources, logging, silviculture, or a related field. Initiative, willingness to learn, and ability to accept and apply feedback.

Technical Forestry & Operations:

Foundational knowledge of forestry and forest management principles. Ability and willingness to develop knowledge of silviculture, harvesting, forest inventory, and land management practices.

Technology & Data Management:

Basic computer skills and ability to learn GIS and other forestry-related technology; working knowledge of Microsoft 365 applications. Ability to collect, organize, analyze, and accurately maintain field and operational data.

Communication & Interpersonal Skills:

Effective written and verbal communication skills. Ability to establish productive relationships with employees, contractors, landowners, and other stakeholders.

Work Effectiveness & Teamwork:

Strong organizational and time-management skills. Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Forestry from an SAF-accredited forestry program.
• Forestry-related internship, co-op, seasonal employment, or field experience.
• Exposure to GIS or other forest management technology.
• Familiarity with SFI, forestry BMPs, forest inventory, silviculture, or timber harvesting operations.

Valid driver’s license and ability to travel to field locations as required.

Turn your passion for the outdoors into a lasting impact. Join Rayonier and help shape the next generation of sustainable forest management.

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 various landscapes, including uneven ground, slopes, wetlands and dense vegetation for extended periods.
• Communicating with others to exchange information.
• Carrying equipment and supplies including transporting tools, gear, and other necessary items over variable distances. Lifting requirement up to 50 lbs.
• Sustained physical exertion including engaging in 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 various 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 paid vacation, five paid personal days, 11 paid holidays and paid sick leave each year.
• We provide a comprehensive employee development program which provides career planning tools and resources, mentoring program, leadership development, training programs and an 80% tuition reimbursement.