Forestry Education & Stewardship Forester

General Description This position supports small (nonindustrial private) forest landowners within Grays Harbor county through providing technical assistance, completing forest stewardship plans, and offering educational events. This is a full time (40 hour work week) grant funded position for the Grays Harbor Conservation District. Sustained employment is contingent upon the application and receipt of additional grant funding. The duties and responsibilities for this position may be expanded. This may include providing technical assistance to neighboring Conservation Districts interested in providing forestry assistance to their cooperators.

Duties & Responsibilities . Complete at least six stewardship plans annually that meet the American Tree Farm System (ATFS) and DNR Forest Stewardship guidelines which will include preparing maps using ArcMap, use of the web soil survey, and a strong understanding of silviculture. . Maintain shapefiles in ArcGIS to track reportable information throughout the grant cycle. . Plan at least one educational event annually with over 30 attendees. . Facilitate the Quinault Watershed Knotweed Group. . Maintain the district website and post a monthly newsletter. . Perform tree farm inspections and assist with plan writing within the ATFS. . Search for applicable grant funding sources and complete grant applications in a timely and professional manner. . Represent the District at meetings, conferences, educational events and on committees pertaining to forestland programs in the area. . Develop educational materials, participate in training conferences, workshops, and other meetings designed to assist forest landowners and/or increase knowledge of sound silvicultural practices. Qualifications  A Bachelor of Science degree with major study in forestry or natural resources OR satisfactory completion of a two-year Forest Resource program and one year of specialized experience related to the field of forestry.  Forest Certification through the Society of American Foresters is desired, but not required.  Must demonstrate the ability to independently develop, implement, and administer programs and projects from conception through completion. Must be able to perform assignments both independently and work as a team member  Must be able to demonstrate computer skills including Microsoft office and ArcGIS.  Must have a valid Washington State driver’s license or be able to get a driver’s license within 30 days of hiring  Must be able and willing to pass the USDA NRCS Background Check in order to access district computers.  Excellent communication skills both written and oral are required for interaction with coworkers, Board members, agency partners, and cooperators.

Physical Demands The job requires traversing all types of terrain on foot. Physical effort is required. Work conditions involve variable topography, vegetation types and weather conditions.

Supervision and Guidance Received The successful applicant will perform the above duties with a minimum of Supervision from the Grays Harbor Conservation District Board of Supervisors and the Office Manager. Direction and supervision will be provided through regular Board meetings and oral or written instruction from either the Board of Supervisors or the Office Manager. The successful applicant will make independent decisions on those aspects of his/her assignments which can be accomplished through adaptation of standard guidelines. He/she independently develops approaches and solutions to problems that involve a combination of complex features.

Application Procedure Interested persons will submit a letter of application describing their knowledge and abilities applicable to this position, a current resume, supplemental questions and contact information for at least three references to:

Grays Harbor Conservation District 330 Pioneer Avenue West Montesano, WA 98563 (360) 249-5980 ext. 102 FAX (360) 249-6961 OR Via e mail to: [email protected]

Applications will be accepted until the close of business on 9-7-11

Supplemental Questions Please answer the following questions and submit them with your application packet. 1. Describe your past experience working with small (nonindustrial) forest landowners. 2. Have you taken any classes or had any training in the use of ArcGIS? How did you use ArcGIS in past positions? 3. How would you promote an educational event that you were planning for small forest landowners? 4. Have you previously written a forest plan? What was included in that plan? If you have not previously written a forest plan, describe what you would include in a forest plan for a small forest landowner?

Grays Harbor Conservation District is a Drug-Free Workplace