Seasonal Forestry Technician

Seasonal Forestry Technician

Cramer Fish Sciences is seeking a full-time Seasonal Forestry Technician to join our Portland-based team in support of forestry consulting and natural resource management projects. This role will serve as the primary field lead for CFS's growing forestry program, working alongside a senior forester to deliver timber cruising, forest inventory, riparian assessments, and forest management plan fieldwork for private landowners, tribes, and public agencies across the Pacific Northwest.

CFS is a fisheries and aquatic ecology consulting firm expanding into forestry services. This position sits at the intersection of forest management and aquatic habitat science - you will work primarily on forestry projects but will also support and coordinate with CFS's fisheries and restoration teams on cross-disciplinary work, including stream classification, riparian buffer assessments, and log sourcing for habitat restoration projects.

While the home base for this position is Portland, Oregon, fieldwork will be conducted primarily in Washington and Oregon, with potential work extending into Idaho and Northern California. This role is primarily field based. Technicians should expect to spend most of their time conducting surveys and supporting field operations in remote and variable outdoor environments.

This is a seasonal position anticipated to run from June through mid-November, with exact start and end dates dependent on project needs. Work schedules will vary based on field conditions, project needs, and operational requirements.

If you have a background in forestry, natural resources, or a related field and want to be part of building a forestry program that integrates forest management with aquatic habitat science, we encourage you to apply.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead and conduct timber cruising and forest inventory using fixed-radius plot, variable-radius (prism), and point sampling methods
• Support timber sale layout, boundary marking, and harvest unit delineation under the direction of a senior forester
• Conduct riparian area assessments, including buffer delineation and riparian stand characterization, in compliance with Oregon and Washington forest practices rules
• Perform stream classification and flow permanence surveys in support of Oregon Private Forest Accord compliance, including PFA-compliant fish presence and water typing assessments (training provided)
• Conduct regeneration surveys, reforestation monitoring, and stand exams
• Provide reforestation and herbicide application crew oversight
• Collect, organize, and ensure the quality of forest inventory and assessment data, including GPS/GIS field data collection
• Support the development of forest management plans by collecting field data, documenting stand conditions, and assisting with silvicultural prescription fieldwork
• Assist with log scaling, merchandizing, and timber sale administration as needed
• Support CFS fisheries and habitat restoration projects as needed, including assistance with stream habitat surveys, electrofishing, and large wood placement projects
• Maintain field equipment, vehicles, and supplies in safe working condition
• Interact professionally and respectfully with private landowners, tribal contacts, agency staff, and other stakeholders in both office and field settings
• Assist with additional tasks as needed to support the team and project success

Education / Minimum Qualifications

• Associate's degree or technical certificate in forestry, forest technology, natural resource management, or a closely related field AND a minimum of 2 years of relevant field experience in timber cruising or forest inventory; OR a Bachelor's degree in forestry or a related natural resource field AND a minimum of 1 year of relevant field experience
• Demonstrated experience with timber cruising methods, including plot-based inventory and variable-radius sampling
• Familiarity with Pacific Northwest tree species identification, log scaling, and forest mensuration
• Ability to work independently and lead small field crews in remote settings with minimal supervision
• Willingness to travel regularly for multi-day field assignments (typically 2–5 days), primarily in Washington and Oregon with occasional work in Idaho and Northern California
• Valid driver's license and ability to operate company vehicles in varied terrain and weather conditions

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with riparian forestry, riparian stand assessments, or buffer delineation under state forest practices rules (Oregon FPA or Washington Forest Practices)
• Experience with USFS Common Stand Exam (CSE) or Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) plot protocols or similar large-scale inventory programs
• Familiarity with Washington Forest Practices rules and Oregon Private Forest Accord rules, stream classification protocols, or fish presence survey methods
• Experience working with tribal forestry programs or on tribal trust lands
• Certification or coursework toward Society of American Foresters (SAF) Certified Forester or Certified Forestry Technician designation
• Experience with GIS or GPS data collection (Trimble, Garmin, or similar field units)
• Chainsaw operation
• Wilderness first aid or similar field safety certification

Working Conditions and Physical Demands:

• Ability to work long hours in diverse outdoor conditions, including forests, steep terrain, and riparian areas, often in remote locations and in inclement weather
• Ability to navigate off-trail through dense vegetation, steep slopes, and uneven terrain while carrying field equipment
• Ability to climb, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl over uneven surfaces, rocky terrain, logs, and other natural obstacles
• Ability to effectively and safely drive in inclement weather, including hot, cold, rainy, foggy, or smoky conditions
• Ability to perform physical tasks including lifting up to 50 lbs., operating hand tools, and performing sustained fieldwork in challenging terrain
• Ability to be flexible with work hours, including early starts, weekends, and occasional evening work, and to travel to remote field sites for multi-day assignments
• Ability to perform computerized data management in an office environment

Salary (Dependent on Experience)

$23.00 – $26.00/hour. Final compensation at Cramer Fish Sciences (CFS) is determined based on internal equity, relevant qualifications and experience, and market considerations.

Benefits

Paid sick leave with accruals starting on first day of employment and voluntary 401(k) eligibility for company plan.

About Cramer Fish Sciences:

We are a fisheries research consulting firm operating throughout the Pacific States and Idaho. As a growing, employee-owned company, our mission is to rigorously apply the scientific method to provide innovative, scientifically robust solutions to a variety of fisheries and environmental challenges. We do this through effective and unbiased data collection, insightful analysis, and clear communication, including publishing results in scientific journals.

CFS is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.