Seasonal Forester

EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Full-Time, Exempt

About the Watershed Research and Training Center and the Forestry and Fuels Program

The Watershed Research and Training Center (WRTC) sustains healthy lands and healthy communities. started in the early 1990s as a local project to re-train displaced loggers and mill workers in Trinity County, CA

is now a vibrant nonprofit organization working locally, statewide and nationally on landscape conservation and

community development. In addition to putting dozens of our community members back to work in the woods

each year, we lead forest and watershed conservation programs, coordinate state and national fire

management partnerships, wood utilization and enterprise projects, and have played an influential role in state

and federal policy-making and program direction. to 80 additional seasonal staff.

The Forestry and Fuels Program has been a core WRTC program for nearly 30 years. cooperative cross-boundary planning and project design, landowner engagement and technical assistance,

project preparation and layout, environmental compliance, and implementation through WRTC crews and

private contractors. The program includes the WRTC botany and wildlife staff and we work closely with the

watershed and fire staff to accomplish complex resource objectives at project and landscape scales.

The Forester will report to the Supervisory Operations Forester and is responsible for supporting

implementation of forest restoration, fuels reduction, and related natural resource projects on public and private

Primary tasks include project and contract layout, implementation oversight, monitoring, and reporting.

Working collaboratively with WRTC’s forestry, fuels, botany, wildlife, watershed, and fire staff, the Forester

helps translate landscape and project objectives into implementable field projects. and licensure, the position may independently perform or oversee professional forestry work requiring a

California Registered Professional Forester (RPF), or work under appropriate professional supervision while

The Forester also coordinates with landowners, agency partners, contractors, and WRTC field crews and

contributes technical expertise to project development, proposals, budgets, schedules, and deliverables. position requires a variable combination of office and field work depending on season and project needs and

requires sound judgment, organization, initiative, and the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities.

Project Implementation and Administration

● Support and, as assigned, lead forestry projects from planning and layout through implementation,

monitoring, documentation, and closeout.

● Prepare project layouts, treatment boundaries, maps, specifications, marking or designation

information, and other materials needed for implementation by WRTC crews or contractors.

● Coordinate with WRTC field crews, contractors, landowners, agency staff, and technical specialists

during project implementation.

● Conduct field inspections and monitor implementation for consistency with project specifications,

environmental requirements, resource protection measures, schedules, and intended outcomes.

● Identify field issues and changing conditions, recommend appropriate solutions, and communicate

needed adjustments to project managers, contractors, crews, and partners.

● Maintain accurate project records, field data, maps, photographs, inspection documentation, and other

records necessary to support project administration and reporting.

● As time allows, contribute to forestry project planning and development.

Coordinate effectively with WRTC forestry, fuels, botany, wildlife, watershed, fire, and administrative

staff to integrate multiple resource objectives into project planning and implementation.

● Assist with technical guidance and training of seasonal forestry staff in collaboration with Forestry

Build and maintain effective working relationships with landowners, community members, agency

partners, contractors, and other project collaborators.

● Contribute technical information, scopes of work, maps, cost estimates, GIS products, and other

materials for grant proposals, agreements, project reports, and program planning.

● Manage assigned workload and project responsibilities to meet schedules, budgets, deliverables, and

quality expectations.

● Participate in program planning and continuous improvement and perform other related forestry and

Bachelor’s degree in forestry, natural resource management, or a closely related field, or an

equivalent combination of relevant education and professional forestry experience.

● At least two years of progressively responsible forestry, forest management, fuels reduction, or closely

Demonstrated experience with forest inventory, stand assessment, project layout, treatment

development, forestry field measurements, and/or implementation of forest management or fuels

reduction projects.

● Working knowledge of forest ecology, silviculture, fuels management, and forest restoration principles

Experience using GIS and mobile mapping/data collection applications such as ArcGIS Pro, Field

Ability to collect, manage, analyze, interpret, and communicate forestry and project data accurately.

● Ability to read and interpret maps, project specifications, environmental documents, treatment

prescriptions, and other technical project materials.

Ability to independently organize and prioritize multiple assignments, maintain accurate project

documentation, meet deadlines, and communicate when project schedules or deliverables are at risk.

• effectively with field crews, contractors, landowners, agency personnel, partners, and other audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound professional judgment, identify and solve field and project

implementation problems, and know when an issue requires additional technical or supervisory review.

● Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of interdisciplinary and collaborative project

Experience developing or implementing forest management, fuels reduction, ecological restoration, or

wildfire resilience projects in California.

● Experience with NEPA, CEQA, California Forest Practice Rules, CAL FIRE permitting, or other

environmental review and regulatory processes applicable to forestry projects.

• Experience developing treatment specifications or other forestry implementation documents.
• Experience administering or inspecting forestry, fuels reduction, logging, vegetation management, or

Experience coordinating projects involving multiple landowners, agencies, funding sources, contractors,

Experience with project budgeting, cost estimating, scopes of work, grant-funded project

implementation, or technical proposal development.

● Experience providing technical direction, training, or mentorship to forestry technicians, seasonal staff,

field crews, or contractors.

● Familiarity with forests, fire ecology, land management, and rural communities of Northern California.

to the forestry responsibilities assigned to the position and should have an interest in professional development

in inclement, hot, dry, cold, wet and/or smoky weather, use electronic devices such as computers, tablets,

phones, GPS, or data collectors, and will occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

The WRTC may provide paid study time, training and/or other support for the successful candidate in

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Flexible work environment with options for remote work

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Computer and other essential equipment provided

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Company vehicle provided for work use

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Benefits include employer paid health, vision and dental insurance, retirement plan, paid time off, 12

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paid holidays, and cell phone stipend

Interested parties should send an application package consisting of the following items:

Send materials to View email address on click.appcast.io Watershed Research and Training Center is an equal opportunity employer. local fair employment practice laws, and are committed to providing a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment.

4 The Watershed Research and Training Center