Inventory Forester I

Description

Who we are: We grow and nurture forests, a renewable resource to build homes, schools, and household necessities, harnessing carbon every single day we operate. We're a family-owned company that is guided by our values of environmental stewardship and supporting our local communities. We do what's right, even when it is the harder path to follow. We focus on the health and safety of our people first - by taking care of all of our resources, we plan to be here for another 130 years.

Who you are: You value collaboration and have a curious mind. You want to own your work and will approach it with dedication. You will bring your whole self with your unique ideas and perspectives to make us better. You also take pride in working for a company that aligns with your values of environmental stewardship through smarter forestry practices.

What you get by working here: You get a team that is more collaborative than competitive, one in which every person can have an impact. With about 350 employees in total, your voice will matter. You receive great benefits, excellent training and professional development. If outdoor recreation is your thing, you'll have access to our 2.1 million acres of SFI- and FSC-certified timberlands across ten states for hiking, hunting (including mushrooms), mountain biking, fishing, camping, or just picnicking.

POSITION PURPOSE:

To insure high quality data in the Forest Inventory Data Collection Program for incorporation into the Forest Resource Information System (FRIS). Additional support to the Forestry and IFM Departments as time and need allows. A step progression is in place as knowledge increses with the goal to become a Registered Professional Forester.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: (other duties may be assigned)

Under the guidance of a Registered Professional Forester, the incumbent supports a variety of inventory related tasks associated with the design, layout and administration of timber cruises to monitor the location and growth of company owned forest. Specific duties include:

Timber cruise design and layout:

• Stand delineation using aerial photographs along with LiDAR and other imagery.
• Update stand typing and incorporate changes with concern to harvest history in GIS.
• Design of plot placement for maximum coverage within budget constraints.
• Stand and road access reconnaissance.
• Preparation of quality maps and printed materials.

Checks cruising of contractors:

• Maintain a high degree of productivity and accuracy of measurements under difficult field conditions.
• Work is above reproach, thorough and sets the standard to what all other cruisers are compared to.
• Timely follow-up to the initial cruise and prompt reporting of results.
• Maintains good communication and works closely with forestry firms and their individual cruisers.
• Trains contractors and new employees on cruising protocols and methods.

Special Projects:

• Cruises timber using variable and fixed plot methods.
• Establishes and re-measures permanent growth plots.
• Participates actively in Company safety program.
• Assists in other forestry functions (e.g., controlled burning) as needed.

Step Progression:

Inventory Forester I

• Intermediate level role, working under moderate supervision with intermediate level knowledge and skills.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with other departments and meet the needs of those departments while maintaining a high level of productivity.
• Ability to assist withwork schedules and prioritization of field work.

Inventory Forester II

• Advanced level role, working with very little supervision with advanced knowledge and skills.
• The incumbent will also independently design, implement, and administer select inventory projects as well as provide backup duties for the Timberlands Inventory Supervisor.
• In order to be considered for this step, incumbent must have at least three or more years of comprehensive Forestry experience.
• Demonstrated effective leadership and interpersonal skills at GDRCo in order to fulfill job duties such as mentoring and training GDRCo employees and contract workers, willingness to accept increasing responsibility, and monitor safety in the field, which includes assuring personal protective equipment is worn, following job safety analysis procedures, reporting safety issues to supervisor and proven safe working habits.
• Advanced technical skills in quality assurance of field data collection and protocol, providing independent answers to field questions and resolving a variety of 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 improved data collection efficiency; quality data entry and accurate reporting documentation; the demonstrated ability to troubleshoot unforeseen circumstances and provide good independent judgment and applying knowledge when confronted with unanticipated problems.
• Must also have demonstrated advanced proficiency and skill in the following areas: use and maintenance of large databases using various software applications, data analysis using forest mensuration techniques, and monitoring contracts.
• Demonstrated willingness and ability to stay current with technological advances that relate to inventory sampling.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Bachelor's degree in Forestry and/or Natural Resources, or equivalent work experience.
• Accomplished cruiser, having experienced a variety of cruising techniques and mastered the fundamentals of timber data collection.
• Working knowledge of GIS (Arc10) and the ability to use GIS programs for editing, map making and reporting.
• Must have a valid California Driver's License.
• Must be able to successfully pass a qualifying course in ATV training.
• Must be able to take responsibility for the quality of own work products as well as own personal safety behaviors.
• Ability to negotiate through rough topography, accurately interprets maps, and takes measurements to exact specifications.
• Proficient in the use of forest measurement equipment and cruising techniques.
• Ability to work creatively at repetitive tasks - stay focused and motivated to find better methods of utilizing available technology to improve efficiency and accuracy. Able to perform sedentary work at the computer for multiple hours.
• Ability to understand and apply principles of photogrammetry with stand typing using remote sensing layers.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• This position is located in Korbel, CA.
• Ability to work extended periods at a computer in an office setting.
• Works (60%+) of the time in the field under varying topography and climatic extremesAbility 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.
• 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 to wildlife encounters, poison oak, nettles, pollen, dust, pesticides and/or insect bites.
• Mandatory travel to remote company locations.
• Ability to attend out of town 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 is a Physical and Mental Classification 4.