Forester

Job Summary:

Performs design, layout, preparation and administration of timber sales and other projects for the Natural Resources Division (NRD).

Essential Functions:

• Works closely with field Biologist to perform initial timber harvest area field reconnaissance and reports findings to  management
• Consults with appropriate NRD and other Tribal staff to determine boundaries for logging units, road layout and improvement plans, landing construction and location, stream buffer zones, preservation of unique natural features, vegetation rehabilitation needs, and wildlife tree marking plan.
• Writes pre-sale narrative to document sale layout decisions made jointly with field Biologist and recommends final design features of timber sale and logging plans.
• Creates timber sale and other project maps using on-site reconnaissance, knowledge of logging systems, topography maps, georeferenced digital imagery, and Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping software.
• Measures trees and collects timber cruise data in accordance with timber cruise design and compiles timber cruise summaries
• Assists with Forest Officer Report document preparation for timber sales on Tribal Trust land required by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Northwest Regional Office.
• Posts boundaries of timber harvest areas and/or marks timber using paint, tags, and flagging.
• Inputs GPS or other boundary data, creates timber sale maps, and calculate areas of roads, stream buffers, cutting blocks, and other timber sale features using Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping software and computer-aided road design software.
• Recommends timber cruise designs for timber sales and works to design cruise and collect timber cruise data and process timber cruise data into reports.
• Coordinates and recommends Silvicultural prescriptions for each timber sale accounting for harvest method, site preparation, and reforestation.
• Performs initial field reconnaissance and grade line location recommendations for forest roads to survey road locations, input and process road survey data, stake road locations and mark right-of-way clearing limits.
• Assists appropriate staff in maintaining and updating the Tribe's Road database and forest inventory database. Inspects and inventories roads for road maintenance needs.
• Assists with monitoring, inspection, and reporting of timber harvest operations to ensure that activities are performed according to the contracts, laws, and regulations pertaining to timber harvesting.
• Maintains the NRD Forest Projection System (FPS) forest inventory database and coordinates the annual forest inventory update and reporting of standing timber volume and value.
• Maintains the NRD, GIS base layer database and serves the NRD resource person for questions and special projects related to GIS attributing, queries, buffering, and overlays and special projects.
• Communicates respectfully and efficiently with other employees, agencies, and contractors internally and externally to perform job duties consistent with Tribal confidentiality, Tribal information, and other policies.
• Assists with implementation of Silvicultural prescriptions.
• Work on 20-person hand crews or fire engine crews to fight wildfires, which may be local or in other states.
• Patrols Tribal Lands in a fire engine on weekends, when necessary.
• Attends courses, seminars, conferences, and lectures, locally and in other states, in order to expand and update education and training in all aspects of forest management.
• Performs a variety of other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Education, Experience, and Licenses:

• Requires a Bachelor's Degree in Forestry or closely related field of study and a minimum of one (1) years' experience in timber sale layout and administration.
• OR equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Must have or obtain a current firefighter "red card".

Driving Requirements:

• Must maintain a valid Oregon driver's license or obtain one upon hire, qualify for the Tribe's vehicle insurance, and provide proof of personal vehicle insurance.

Qualifications, Registrations, and Certifications:

• Proficiency in variable-radius plot timber cruising, fixed-plot timber cruising, and other timber cruising methods required.
• Ability to calculate and interpret figures rapidly and accurately, often using trigonometric functions required.
• Proficiency in use of analog and digital forestry field instruments required.
• Proficiency in map reading, compass orientation, and aerial photo interpretation required.
• Ability to use ArcGIS GIS software required.
• Ability to use Microsoft Office software required.
• Ability to use Forest Projection System (FPS) forest inventory software to produce reports and projections of potential harvest volumes and values required.
• Knowledge of road design concepts and practices and demonstrated proficiency in the use RoadENG computer-aided road design software preferred.
• Ability to safely operate a power and hand tools required.
• Ability to exercise common sense and self-initiative to carry out instructions furnished in oral, written, or diagram form required.
• Ability to speak effectively and persuasively to groups of resource professionals, contractors, or contract workers preferred.
• Ability to solve disputes and miscommunications quickly, efficiently, and professionally required.
• Ability to work effectively either alone or with a team of professionals required.
• Advanced knowledge of both Forestry and Logging terminology and principles required.
• Advanced knowledge of the NEPA process and Federal and State regulations pertaining to land management preferred.
• Ability to operate a computer, fax machine, copier, digital scanner, and laser plotter preferred.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence with correct grammar and punctuation required.
• Ability to communicate effectively with people from a broad spectrum of professions and disciplines required.
• Ability to complete tasks quickly and with a high degree of accuracy required.
• Ability to make and carry out decisions independently and quickly required.
• Ability to write, read, interpret, and edit complex documents such as timber sale contracts and Environmental Assessments required.
• Knowledge of northwest logging systems and the ability to use computer-aided, cable-system, log payload analysis software required.
• Advanced knowledge of northwest Silvicultural methods and practices preferred.
• Knowledge of both Tribal and Oregon Forest Practices Act regulations preferred.
• Ability to work effectively under physical and mental fatigue required.
• Must be able to pass a post-employment offer physical examination by a qualified provider required.
• Must be flexible to work long and odd hours, evenings, weekends and holidays required. 
• Knowledge of Native American culture preferred.

Environmental Factors and Conditions/Physical Requirements:

• Continually requires the ability to work under strenuous or adverse conditions for extended periods, while maintaining mental alertness and concentration to maintain work rate, quality, and safety.
• Continually requires the ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make fine discrimination in sound.
• Continually requires verbally expressing or exchanging ideas or important instructions accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Continually requires moving about on foot to accomplish tasks.
• Frequently requires raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position to position.
• Frequently requires stooping which entails the use of the lower extremities and back muscles.
• Frequently requires bending legs at knee to come to a rest on knee or knees.
• Frequently requires standing for sustained periods of time.
• Frequently requires repetitive movement of the wrists, hands and/or fingers.
• Frequently requires moving about in confined spaces.
• Frequently requires crouching.
• Occasionally requires lifting of up to 100 pounds.
• Occasionally requires moving about on hands and knees or hands and feet.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
• Must pass a firefighter pack test at the arduous duty level before participating on fire crew and engine assignments.
• The worker is frequently subject to both inside and outside environmental conditions.  The worker is frequently subject to extreme weather conditions for periods of more than one hour, which may include rain, snow, sleet, hail, wind, sun, fire, extremely high or low humidity, or a combination of these conditions. 
• The worker is frequently subject to noise, sufficient to cause the worker to shout in order to be heard above the ambient noise level. 
• The worker is frequently subject to fumes, odors, dust, mists, and chemicals. 
• The worker is often subject to exposure to animals, such as snakes and insects. 
• The worker is frequently close to, or operating, large machinery such as bulldozers, excavators, yarders, and loaders.  May be required to work in semi-remote locations and around logging equipment. 
• Due to the nature of the interactions with other employees and the public we serve, employees may be required to provide documentation of, or receive, certain health vaccinations.
• May be called upon to serve as a Disaster Reservist during emergencies.
• Local travel is frequently required.  Extended travel away from local area is occasionally required.

Background Check:

Candidates for this position will be subject to criminal and character background checks and may be subject to fingerprinting.

---

All positions are located in the greater Grand Ronde area unless specifically noted otherwise.

If you have questions or need more info, please call: 1-800-422-0232 x-2109

Application materials must be received in Human Resources by 5pm on the closing date.

INTERNAL APPLICANTS ARE DEFINED AS:

• Grand Ronde Tribal members
• Spouse of a Grand Ronde Tribal member
• Parent or legal guardian of Grand Ronde Tribal member children.
• Current Regular Employee, past their six-month introductory period, receiving at least a "meets expectations" on most recent performance evaluation and not under disciplinary action or performance improvement within the previous six months.

For individuals that meet the minimum qualifications: 

AN INTERVIEW WILL BE GIVEN IN THE FOLLOWING RANKING ORDER:

1. Grand Ronde Tribal members.
   a. (Qualified Grand Ronde Tribal members who show they meet the minimum qualifications of the position during the course of the interview process will be given first consideration for hire and the recruitment process will end)
2. Tribal member spouses, parents and/or legal guardians of Grand Ronde Tribal member children and current regular employees.