Timberlands Forester I — Hybrid Work & Mentorship

Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc.; Conway (AR); On-site; USD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid vacation and holidays

Job summary

Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc. is seeking a Timberlands Forester I in Conway, AR, to join our forestry team. In this developmental role, you will gain hands-on experience under mentorship, building technical, financial, and operational skills to manage land resources independently.

You will assist in budgeting, planning silvicultural activities, inventory, and contractor administration while developing core forestry competencies in a supportive environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Forestry, Forest Management, Natural Resources, or related field; or an associate degree with relevant forestry experience.
• No prior professional forestry experience required for candidates possessing a qualifying bachelor's degree.
• Foundational knowledge of forestry and forest management principles.
• Basic computer skills and ability to learn GIS and other forestry-related technology; working knowledge of Microsoft 365 applications.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to establish productive relationships with employees, contractors, landowners, and other stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Skills

Communication skills

Time management

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in Forestry, Forest Management, Natural Resources, or related field

Associate degree with relevant forestry experience

Tools

GIS

Microsoft 365

Job description

Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc. is seeking a Timberlands Forester I in Conway, AR, to join our forestry team. In this developmental role, you will gain hands-on experience under mentorship, building technical, financial, and operational skills to manage land resources independently.

You will assist in budgeting, planning silvicultural activities, inventory, and contractor administration while developing core forestry competencies in a supportive environment.