Forester - Unit Forester

Job Overview:

The position is a forester who provides advanced expertise in natural resources management in both Service Forestry and Trust Lands Forestry programs. This position also assists with, implements, and administers other Trust Lands and Forestry programs. 

Essential Functions (Major Duties or Responsibilities): 

Trust Lands Management Division Programs (65% of the time)

A. Forest Management 

The incumbent is responsible for the administration, oversight, and implementation of forest product sales (timber sales and timber permits) and non-commercial treatments within the Hamilton Unit.

Serves as Project Leader for the preparation of timber sales, timber permits, other forest product sales, and non-commercial treatments on Trust Lands. Collects inventory data on forested land to determine the natural resources present, their condition, and management potential. Determines timber distribution, timber volume estimates, and existence of insect and disease damage; identifies soil characteristics, slope and aspect, streamside management zones, riparian areas, wildlife habitat, and other factors that influence timber sale planning and operations. Uses this data to update and maintain accurate stand level inventories to ensure efficient and appropriate project scheduling, and to achieve timber management goals and objectives. Develops proposals for the harvesting of timber resources or other forest products on state lands, including alternatives. This involves evaluating reconnaissance and inventory information, determining potential impacts to the environment, and identifying potential conflicts with landowners, other agencies, and the general public. Ensures forest product sale schedules, plans, and project timelines are appropriate and support overall forest program management objectives. Identifies access issues. Develops temporary road use agreements. Develops easements with cooperation from the Real Estate Bureau. Prepares environmental assessment documents in accordance with MEPA. Key elements include scoping and public participation, issue identification, adherence to the Administrative Rules for Forest Management and DNRC’s Habitat Conservation Plan, internal review process, comprehensive analysis of impacts, development of alternatives, MEPA documentation. Performs timber sale design. This includes preparing silvicultural prescriptions, timber marking guidelines, logging system specifications, road design and construction specifications to meet BMP and SMZ standards. Conducts sale layout entering information into the Field Maps app on an iPad, establishes sale unit boundaries and SMZ boundaries, performs road layout, marks timber, and conducts timber cruises. Develops timber sale packages. This includes developing timber sale contracts to ensure compliance with state Administrative Rules for Forest Management and DNRC’s Habitat Conservation Plan, silvicultural prescriptions, and MEPA mitigations. Contracts include development of sale maps using ArcPro, road packages (road costs, road logs, road specifications), summaries of timber volumes, forest improvement requirements (weed control, grass seeding requirements), forest product specifications, harvest dates, and contract termination dates. Serves as Forest Officer and conducts regular inspections of the sale operations to ensure terms of the contract are met. Performs pre-sale meetings with contractors. Administers timber harvest, road construction, road re-construction, temp road construction, bridge and culvert installation, and other sale-related activities. Maintains complete records using timber sale inspection reports to document adherence to contract specifications, and sale progress. Completes required accounting tasks in the Trust Land Management System (TLMS). Conducts slash disposal including pile burning, broadcast burning, developing burn plans, acquiring air quality permits, coordinating burning with partnering agencies, and monitoring burns. Designs and implements post and pole sales, pulpwood sales, Christmas tree sales, commercial firewood sales, and other miscellaneous forest product sales. Designs and implements forest improvement activities: tree planting, grass seeding, noxious weed management, road maintenance/repair, and pre-commercial thinning. Planning involves development of appropriate MEPA documentation, contracts, and contract solicitations.

B. Real Estate Management 

Periodically assists with the following:

Assist in activities related to the identification and acquisition of legal access to State lands for forest management and other purposes. This involves developing and prioritizing the State’s needs for access; determining ownership status; assessing existing road systems, road construction costs, log hauling feasibility, right-of-way issues, and environmental impacts; ensuring permits are obtained as required; and evaluating other access issues relevant to State lands. Coordinates with relevant Area staff and Real Estate Management Bureau staff to complete work. Assist in activities related to real estate projects and transactions within the Hamilton Unit. Activities include issuing permits, leases, licenses, and easements; land sales and purchases; and residential and commercial real estate development. Work is done in collaboration with the Unit Manager, Area, and/or Bureau staff. It includes conducting site reviews, gathering input from landowners or concerned public groups and individuals, preparing appropriate MEPA documentation, developing stipulations and restrictions, preparing 1icenses, administering site activities for compliance, conducting inspections as appropriate. 

C. Recreation Management 

Periodically assists with the following:

Issue permits and licenses for recreation activities on Trust Lands. Work with FWP game wardens to ensure compliance with State Land Recreation Use Rules. Maintain recreation use signage. 

Ag and Grazing Management 

Periodically assists with the following:

Assist SWLO Land Use specialist. This involves reviewing inspections reports and possibly assisting with yearly grazing inspections. Issue weed management plans and ensure compliance by licensees and lessees. Coordinate forest management activities with existing agriculture and grazing licenses and leases.

Forestry Division Programs (30% of the time)

Forestry Assistance 

The incumbent is responsible for extensive duties which accomplish the mission of the Forestry Assistance Program. The Forestry Assistance Bureau provides leadership, program direction, and budget and staff support for several statewide programs: Fire Hazard Reduction, Forest Practices, Private Forestry Assistance, Urban & Community Forestry, Forest Stewardship, Forest Pest Management, Biomass Utilization, and the Conservation Seedling Nursery.

Administers and enforces laws regulating forestry operations on State and private lands within the Hamilton Unit. Administers Best Management Practices by communicating the basis and need for compliance to logging contractors, private landowners, and others. Provides information on a variety of practices related to timber harvesting operations and procedures, conducts inspections, and monitors effectiveness at specific sites. Administers and enforces the Streamside Management Zone law by providing information to contractors and landowners on required and prohibited practices. Evaluates the feasibility and acceptability of requests for alternative practices. Develops MEPA documents and alternative practice documents for commercial work within the SMZ. Conducts site visits to ensure compliance with alternative practices documents. Performs investigations of complaints concerning potential SMZ violations and documents the nature of impacts. Works with the Forest Practices Program Manager to determine fines and mitigations for violations. Administers Hazard Reduction Agreements in accordance with the State Fire Hazard Reduction Laws. Works with the office manager to issue HRA agreements and HRA closures/refunds. Offers technical assistance about SMZ laws and Best Management Practices to HRA holders. Conducts slash inspections to ensure compliance. Advises private landowners about various grants, and cost-share programs including project recruitment and development, technical assistance, contract administration, project monitoring, and processing reimbursement requests. Serves as primary contact with Bitterroot RCD on fuels reduction projects. Assists landowners in developing written forest stewardship work plans for their property. Assists in teaching periodic forest stewardship classes.  Assists Montana FWP in managing the forest resources on Wildlife Management Areas. Provides Urban Forestry services to communities by participating in Arbor Day events, attending tree board meetings, administrating urban forestry grants, and providing technical assistance such as workshops on urban tree health and care. Assists communities with urban forestry projects in the form of planning, design, implementation, and final inspection.

B. Rural Fire Coordination

The incumbent will assist with rural fire coordination for the Hamilton Unit. Duties may include but are not limited to:

Conducting various business with Ravalli County through the County Cooperative program, such as completing IRAs, and Chief certifications. Attending fire council meetings and generally being involved at the local level.

APPLICATION MATERIALS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION ARE: 

Cover Letter Resume

HELPFUL HINT: You must check the “relevant document” box to ensure your attachments are uploading correctly to the specific application.

Benefits:

Paid Vacation, Sick Leave and Holidays

*If you are interested in a complete job description, please contact HR at julie.smith@mt.gov

Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience): The required knowledge, skills, and abilities are typically acquired through a combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor's degree in Forest Management or a related Natural Resources Management field and 2 years of progressively responsible job-related professional experience in forest management.

Required knowledge, skills, and abilities: The position requires extensive knowledge of natural resources management principles and practices; equipment and techniques used in forest management projects and operations; forest practices and hazard reduction laws, Administrative Rules, legislative intent, standards, guidelines, policies and procedures related to forest management operations and activities; and considerable knowledge of the Montana Environmental Policy Act and related laws and rules governing natural resource management. Knowledge of the terminology, principles, methods and approaches used in silviculture, ecology, hydrology, wildlife and fisheries biology, plant pathology, and range management. Specific knowledge of plant taxonomy, habitat typing, timber cruising, log scaling, harvesting systems, data collection and sampling techniques; road design and layout; fire behavior, fire suppression techniques, land surveying, and timber appraisal procedures. The position also requires knowledge of supervisory principles and practices, DNRC and State Personnel policies, procedures, precedents, organizational structures, employment law and program requirements.

The position requires skill in the use and operation of tools, equipment, and vehicles used in forest management and wildland fire control. Operation of 4-wheel drive vehicles, ATVs, and snowmobiles. Skill in the use of computer hardware and software related to natural resources management business operations (word processing, spreadsheets, internet, and e-mail) and specialized resource management software. Skills in geographic information systems (ArcPro).

The position requires the ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing to individuals and groups in DNRC and from other organizations and the public; the ability to establish and maintain positive and effective relationships with internal and external parties, the ability to coordinate and direct multiple human and physical resources, the ability to complete work objectives, to work on multiple projects simultaneously; to work well with others, and to maintain a positive working environment.

Required Licenses: An Herbicide Applicator’s License is not required upon hire; however, this license is required after hire.

---