Service Forester

Service Forestry Specialist, Natural Resource Specialist 2 (NRS2)
Full-time, Non-permanent, Represented position (WPEA)
Anticipated employment is August 2026 – June 2027
Work Hours and Partial Telework flexibility may be available and considered
Relocation Compensation may be available and considered
Salary: $4,517.00 – $6,075.00 Monthly

Review of applications is ongoing. We reserve the right to make a hiring decision or close this recruitment at any time after 7/22/26. It is in your best interest to submit materials as soon as possible.

Responsibilities:

• As directed, solicit candidates for participation through formal and informal channels, including public education events, media opportunities, partner engagement, and other related activities.
• With guidance from the Service Forester or District Manager, accept and return phone, email, and other inquiries from forest landowners regarding financial assistance opportunities.
• Schedule site visits with landowners for on-the-ground review of their project area to ensure landowner objectives are compatible with program and funding criteria.
• Work with landowners to complete and submit all required documents, such as the financial assistance Application, W-9, Statewide Vendor Form, etc.
• Review financial assistance applications for completeness, accuracy, and applicability to available funding sources.
• Use knowledge and experience to incorporate landowner objectives into standard mitigation actions to develop property-specific land management prescriptions. Coordinate with the Service Forester in the development of site-specific resource management plans/reports and/or forest stewardship plans.
• Plan and prioritize assigned field work for fuels reduction and forest health; site-specific coordinate or facilitate contractor selection and ensure planned activities will meet all applicable agency guidance as well as State and federal requirements.
• Perform periodic progress checks to ensure compliance and take corrective actions if required.
• Perform sign-off inspection upon completion of work to determine if contractual obligations, goals of the program, and applicable conditions were met.
• Gather spatial data and other required attributes to accurately and completely catalog activities performed.
• Provide data to Service Foresters or others to facilitate aggregation for periodic accomplishment reports such as monthly and annual grant performance reports, final grant close-out accomplishment reports, quarterly performance measures, deliverable accomplishments, etc.
• Under the guidance of the Service Forester or District Manager, respond to and provide low-complexity technical expertise and advice to forest landowners regarding forest management practices, diagnosis and recommendations for forest health problems, animal damage and competing vegetation control, wildland fire risk reduction, and other resource issues and opportunities.
• Engage appropriate subject matter experts (Service Forester, entomologist, pathologist, wildlife biologist, Regulatory Assistance Forester, Service Forestry Coordinator, Community Resilience Specialist, etc.) when the knowledge or experience level is exceeded.
• Provide technical specifications for forest management practices and silvicultural treatments. Monitor and report on treatment implementation.
• Deliver information and stories about service forestry work in the assigned area to the public and DNR staff in coordination with supervisors and Communications staff.
• Coordinate with and provide consultation to other forest health improvement projects (such as those organized by Planning, Science, and Monitoring or Cross-Boundary Restoration) within the assigned work area as requested.
• Make educational presentations to family forest landowners, natural resource professionals who advise them, contractors, and other audiences regarding forestry topics.
• Author educational and informational articles on program-related topics for Stewardship Notes, Small Forest Landowner Newsletter, and other publications
• Teach forestry-related topics for WSU Extension and other education programs, including Forest Owners Field Days, Forest Stewardship Coached Planning Courses, Family Forest Advisors Workshops, Contract Trainings, jobshiringnearme.org Districts, colleges, and others across western WA.
• Participate in training, professional development, and continuing education to maintain credentials such as SAF Certified Forester, Certified Tree Farm Inspector, Public Pest Control Consultant, or others.
• Collaborate with staff to maintain and update knowledge related to technology, data collection, and other job duties.
• Complete special projects as assigned.
• Respond to informational requests for program information, accomplishment data, staff, and budget needs, etc.

Required Qualifications: 
You must meet all the Required Qualifications and Competencies to be considered for this position. There are multiple pathways to meet qualifications, such as education, volunteer work, life skills, and experience.  It is important that you clearly communicate in your application material that your skills align with the position and qualifications. 

• Associate degree in forestry, forestry education, or other closely related field AND (3) three years of field experience in forest management in the Pacific Northwest or similar environment;
  OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in general forest management activities such as forest road design and construction, timber management planning, silviculture techniques, reforestation methods, and timber harvest boundaries.
• Experience using forestry tools such as measuring and hand tools.
• Proficient with computers, Microsoft Office applications, and SharePoint.
• Experience with Geographic Information Systems (GIS), including ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, Survey123, Field Maps, and other mapping tools to document work and convey information to non-technical audiences.