IFM Forester

POSITION PURPOSE:
Assists with all core functions of the Intensive Forest Management (IFM) department including reforestation (tree planting), vegetation management, hazard abatement and pre-commercial thinning. Provides assistance with all required data collection efforts to ensure young stands meet stocking requirements and are maintained in a free to grow condition. Monitors the work of contractors performing various reforestation, thinning and biomass harvesting tasks. Assists with tasks related to Green Diamond Resource Company's hazard abatement (prescribed burning) program such as checking fire lines, maintaining fire equipment, implementation of ignition and suppression of controlled burns and support of biomass harvest operations. Assists with preparation of project maps and record keeping. Assists with reforestation research projects. Assists with Timber Harvest Plans (THP), chemical thinning and rehabilitation treatments as projects are assigned to the department. A progressive series of promotions from Forester I through Forester III are possible for candidates who demonstrate consistently improved performance and meet required qualifications.
FORESTER I ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Conducts stocking surveys and other plantation monitoring activities according to state compliance standards and/or Company standards.
Helps identify and flag units to receive Intensive Forest Management (IFM) treatments.
Maintains legible, accurate, detailed records and writes technical reports.
Updates forestry databases with a high level of accuracy.
Produces maps using GIS mapping programs that are accurate, comprehensive and clear.
Performs routine maintenance on the Company's fire equipment.
Assists in ignition and monitoring of controlled burns.
Monitors contractors performing tree planting, herbicide application, fuel reduction, biomass harvesting and thinning projects.
Performs field reconnaissance and then describes the conditions and potential constraints and problems to the Chief IFM Forester who can provide further guidance and resolution to field prescriptions.
Assists in other forestry functions as directed.
Participates actively in the Company's safety programs.
Responds to wildfire incidents as initial attack and assist with Emergency Medical Service coordination as needed.
Assists the IFM department in miscellaneous forestry functions, safety program, equipment maintenance, etc., as needed.
Assists with Timber Harvesting Plan preparation and road layout as directed by IFM Chief Forester and/or RPF of Record.
Maintains daily contact with IFM Chief and IFM Foresters.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

Must have successfully completed college forestry courses such as dendrology, ecology, silviculture, forest engineering and forest mensuration or two years equivalent forestry experience.
Generally has a degree or coursework in Forestry or a related field.
Must have valid driver's license.
Must be able to successfully pass a qualifying course in ATV training.
Excellent observational skills including visual and audio, in order to gather and document accurate resource data.
Ability to negotiate through rough topography, accurately interpret maps and understand how to apply reforestation techniques and silvicultural principles.
Incumbent must be able to take responsibility for the quality of their work products as well as their own personal safe behaviors.
Effective and professional relationships with co-workers within immediate work group, outside the immediate department, and with key contacts outside the company.
Effective and productive communications skills; speaks well, communicates ideas clearly. Writes well, clearly and concisely. Is approachable and open to discussion.
Conducts self in a professional manner at all times. Treats others with respect at all times. Does not tolerate discrimination based on race, gender, religion, ethnic background, or national origin. Shares knowledge with others and participates in mentoring.
Manages multiple priorities professionally with minimum disruption to others. Organized and proactively manages environment. Responds to unexpected challenges successfully without losing track of daily responsibilities. Prioritizes workload in order of importance. Reliably follows through with job assignments.
Learns, applies and retains new methods and information. Creative in solving problems. Exhibits a positive attitude with an ambitious approach to challenges.

DESIRED:

Bachelor's Degree in Forestry or related field.
Previous reforestation experience.
Knowledge of tree planting techniques and stock types.
Knowledge of redwood silviculture.
Formal training or coursework in GIS with demonstrated ability to use GIS software.
Knowledge of California Forest Practice Rules and interest in obtaining Registered Professional Forester (RPF) license.
Qualification and willingness to acquire Qualified Applicators License (QAL) or Pest Control Advisor License (PCA).
Fluent in Spanish.

FORESTER II PROGRESSION:
In order to be considered eligible for progression to the Forester II position, there must be a business need for the position to be filled. This is an intermediate level role with moderate latitude for independent judgment and decision making. The qualifications for Forester I as described above plus those listed below for Forester II must be met in order to qualify for advancement:

In order to be considered for a promotion to the Forester II position, incumbents must have at least one or more years of IFM, THP Layout, Operations, or comparable experience.
Must also have demonstrated proficiency in the following areas: monitoring work of contractors, implementation of silvicultural prescriptions, a demonstrated effective use of techniques, equipment and materials, effective leadership skills, willingness to accept increasing responsibility, accurate and comprehensive report documentation, and demonstration of their ability to maximize value via careful management of time and company resources.
Provides guidance and skills training to IFM Forester I as needed during field activities.
QAL/QAC license or progress towards preferred.
Demonstrated effective leadership and interpersonal skills at GDRCo in order to fulfill job duties such as mentoring and training full-time or seasonal technicians as needed, assist with work schedules and prioritization of field survey work, willingness to accept increasing responsibility, and monitor safety in the field, which includes assuring personal protective equipment is available and worn by technicians, training technicians in job safety and protocols, following job safety analysis procedures, reporting safety issues to the field coordinator or supervisor and having demonstrated and proven safe working habits.
Advanced technical skills such as assisting with quality assurance of field data collection and protocol, providing independent answers to field questions and resolving a variety of field issues of moderately complex scope including oversight and prioritization of field technician work. Other advanced skills would include recognized accomplishment of department objectives to ensure quality data entry and accurate report documentation; the demonstrated ability to troubleshoot unforeseen circumstances and provide good independent judgment and applying resource knowledge when confronted with unanticipated problems.
Demonstrate the ability to collaborate with other departments and meet the needs of those departments while maintaining a high level of productivity.

FORESTER III PROGRESSION:
In order to be considered eligible for progression to the Forester III position, there must be a business need for the position to be filled. This is a senior level role with a wide latitude for independent judgment and decision making. The qualifications for Forester II as described above plus those listed below for Forester III must be met in order to qualify for advancement:

In order to be considered for a promotion to the Forester III position, incumbents must have at least three or more years of IFM, THP Layout, Forest Operations, or comparable experience.
Able to lead and support the administration of contracts for the core functions of the department. Maintains clear communications with project contractors to ensure contract compliance.
Collaborates with other Green Diamond departments to identify areas to avoid in order to protect resources such as wildlife, fish and rare plants.
Ensures compliance with habitat conservation plans (FHCP, AHCP), safe harbor agreements (MSHA) and the relevant parameters of the California Timberlands Forest Management Plan as they relate to Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification.
Can evaluate methods to improve efficiency and add value to forest investment activities to ensure long term success.
Able to act as mentor over less experiences IFM Department individuals. Willing to take responsibility for workflow as directed by the IFM Chief Forester.
Provides support to the Silviculture Forester and IFM Chief Forester as needed for contract administration and preparation of THPs.
Typically has 3+ years of experience and either meets or is on track to meet the standard for taking the RPF and/or PCA exam(s).
QAL/QAC license preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT:

This position is located in Korbel, CA and/or Klamath, CA.
Has the flexibility to work overtime as needed (both planned and unexpected)
Works primarily in the field under varying topography and climatic extremes.
Ability to orient, climb, and traverse steep rugged, densely vegetated terrain on a consistent basis in in sometimes harsh weather conditions for long periods of time.
Ability to lift and carry objects up to 70 pounds repeatedly.
Must have the ability to see distance and detail with accuracy.
Must have ability to work independently and without immediate supervision in remote areas.
Works in conditions that may expose employee wildlife encounters, poison oak and/or insect bites.
Mandatory travel to remote company locations.
Ability to tour logging operations, attend training and company functions.
Must maintain punctual and regular attendance and present appropriate professional appearance at all times.
Requires the use of standard safety equipment in regulation with GDRCo.
This position may be exposed to smoke, dust, and pesticides.
This position is a Physical and Mental Requirement Classification 4.