2023 Foresty Intern - Northwest Region

2023 Foresty Intern - Northwest Region Recruitment #2022-11-9411 Exempt, Full-time to Part-time (minimum 16 hours and up to 40 hours/week) Flexible start date with a 3-6 month duration. Anticipated employment begins May/June 2023 Location: Northwest Region- Bellingham, Sedro-Woolley, Arlington, or Granite Falls, WA Salary: Sophomore and under: $16/hour Junior: $17/hour Senior: $18/hour Graduate students: up to $21/hour * 1 year Master $19/hour * 2 year Master $20/hour * Higher $21/hour * DNR provides housing in some locations or a $500/month housing stipend if free housing is not available. Want to join something GREAT and make a difference? This unique educational opportunity is located in the Statelands program of DNR's Northwest Region. Foresters at DNR carry out land management activities such as timber sale design; reforestation; and young stand management. This internship will provide hands-on experience in these activities and provide an opportunity to work with professional Foresters, Engineers, and Biologists as well as exposure to other disciplines that assure appropriate management activities are conducted in a responsible manner. Northwest Region is composed of 387,000 acres of DNR-managed Trust Lands that produce revenue for the trust beneficiaries. The internship will provide valuable experiences in forest management principles and an understanding of WA Dept. of Natural Resources' core mission, history and objectives.Responsibilities: Pre-sales * Work with the Region's Presales teams to gain knowledge and understanding of the Agency's Habitat Conservation Plan through formal training sessions and informal peer and supervisor training sessions. A focus will be on interpretation and implementation of the direction and guidelines for field staff to meet HCP compliance. This will include (with all appropriate District staff and Agency specialist): * Stream typing * Wetland boundary delineation * Leave tree selection * Wildlife habitat identification and delineation * Other unique habitat identification * Work with Region's Presales teams to gain knowledge and understanding of the Agency's Policy for Sustainable Forests through formal training sessions and informal peer and supervisor training sessions. A focus will be on interpretation and implementation of the direction and guidelines for field staff to meet PSF compliance. This will include (with all appropriate District staff and Agency specialist): * Introduction to Trust lands and fiduciary responsibilities * Introduction to cultural resources * Introduction to old growth definition and protections * Introduction to silvicultural prescription development * Work with Region's Presales teams to gain knowledge and understanding of timber sale design through formal training sessions and informal peer and supervisor training sessions and actual field work supporting timber sale layout. A focus will be on practical field skill development, implementing the HCP and PSF, utilizing GIS in timber sales planning and development of potential timber sale harvest units. This will include (with all appropriate District staff and Agency specialist): * Traversing with GPS * Tagging timber sale boundaries and leave tree boundaries * Marking scattered leave trees * Marking a proposed road gradeline and traversing planned roads * Recognizing required harvesting techniques and planning landing locations accordingly * Utilizing GIS to plan land management activities * Recognize some common indicators of slope instability * Be part of site visits with specialists (wildlife, geology, cultural, TFW cooperators and FP ID teams) * Collecting and help evaluating plot data for proposed thinning operations (small-wood and habitat thinnings) Silviculture * Work with Region's Silviculture team to gain knowledge and understanding to the complete cycle of reforestation through formal training sessions and informal peer and supervisor training sessions. A focus will be on interpretation and implementation of silvicultural prescription with a focus on the end goal and cost/benefit analysis for the new growing stand. This will include (with all appropriate District staff and Agency specialist): * Gathering of plot data, observations, and plantation information at different stages of plantation growth * Using that information to plan silvicultural treatments, as needed * Recording silvicultural information in a database * Assisting with the development of silvicultural contracts, including becoming informed on costs of operations * Assisting with the compliance of various silvicultural contracts Timber Sales Compliance * Work with Region's Compliance teams to gain knowledge and understanding of the timber sale compliance contact handbook and implementation of contract causes on active timber sales through formal training sessions and informal peer and supervisor training sessions. A focus will be on interpretations and implementation of timber sale contract clauses and how those are applied to active operations. This will include (with all appropriate District staff and Agency specialist); * Site visits to active timber sales with compliance staff, including ground based and cable yarding operations, road construction, and if possible tethered logging system usage. Attempts will be made to visit both thinning operations and final harvest operations. * Working with a forester as contract language is being developed for a new planned timber sale. Required Qualifications: * A full-time student (12+ credits/quarter) majoring in Forest Management, Forest Operations, Forest Science, Silviculture, Forest Engineering or related field and will be returning to school in a following quarter/semester. Or a graduate student. * Physically able to work alone or as part of a team in undeveloped, remote, forested or back-county landscapes and terrain in all weather conditions. * A licensed driver with two years of driving experience. Employees who drive for state business, whether in a state or privately owned vehicle, are required to possess a valid license and abide by all other driver responsibility requirements. * At least 18 years of age at the time of hire. * Maintains high standards for safety. * Maintains high standards of personal, professional, and ethical conduct. * Contributes to a work environment that embraces diversity and brings together the strengths and perspectives of diverse groups. * Conveys a clear desire and ability for learning new concepts and skills. * Shows the ability to turn learned conceptions into practical application. * DNR Core Competencies: * Personal Accountability * Value Others * Compassionate Communication * Inspire Others * Commitment to Excellence * Employees of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. This position is based in an office/fieldwork setting and requires in-person attendance/interactions with no option for full-time telework. Please note that any offer of employment is contingent upon you providing verification of your vaccine status. No start date will be approved until you verify your status. Desired Qualifications: * Desired course work includes: * General Biology * Forest Operations or Harvest Systems * Dendrology * Wildlife and Fisheries Ecology * Ecology and Evolutionary Biology * Field Mensuration * Silviculture * Natural Resource Management * Plant Identification * GPS/GIS Mapping * Beginning knowledge of theory, policy, principles, and practices of the forestry profession * Basic computer skills including Microsoft Office, Adobe, and ArcGIS skills * Basic written and oral communication skills * Candidates should have work or recreational experience driving on forest (dirt or gravel) roads. About the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). At DNR we approach our work through the lens of making Washington a better place environmentally and are dedicated to serving Washington's lands and communities through diversity, equity and inclusion. With nearly 1,500 employees in locations throughout Washington, we manage and protect more than 5 million acres of state-owned forest, range, commercial, agricultural and aquatic lands. Our Vision - Our actions ensure a future where Washington's lands, waters, and communities thrive. Our Mission - Manage, sustain, and protect the health and productivity of Washington's lands and waters to meet the needs of present and future generations. Our Core Values: * Safety and Well-Being -Our top priority is the safety of the public and our employees. * Public Service -We value and respect the public we serve, and we value and respect the people of the Department of Natural Resources who step up to serve. * Innovation and Creative Problem-Solving - We solve our state's most pressing challenges through innovative thinking, dedication, and bold and creative vision. * Leadership and Teamwork -We are committed to building leaders at all levels and building teams for success. DNR provides excellent benefits, a few of those include: * Commitment to organizational health and wellness * Work/life balance * DNR Employee Resource Groups (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council, Women's Employee Resource Group, Veterans Employee Resource Group, etc.) * Statewide Employee Business Resource Groups, visit here to learn more * Leadership that empowers and supports employees * Professional development opportunities * Educational and career development aid * Public Service Loan Forgiveness Eligibility * Opportunities to participate in wildland fire suppression assignments * A comprehensive benefit package that includes employer contributions toward health insurance, paid holidays, retirement plans, sick leave and vacation days. Visit http://careers.wa.gov/benefits.html for more information. Application Requirements: * To be considered you must apply online at www.careers.wa.gov (Click on the APPLY button above). You must complete the entire online application to be considered for the position. * Attach a letter of interest describing your interest in this internship and what you expect to gain from this internship. * Attach a resume describing your experience and qualifications. * Provide three to five professional or professor references - you may attach a document, use the References text field in the online application, or include with resume. * Attach an unofficial copy of your transcripts. * Complete all supplemental questions. Additional Information: This recruitment may be extended and may also be used to fill future similar vacancies for up to sixty (60) days. Veterans wishing to claim Veteran's preference please attach a copy of your DD-214, NGB-22 or other verification of military service. Please black out your social security number prior to attaching. We thank you and are grateful for your service! The Department of Natural Resources is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans, military spouses or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation during the screening process or this announcement in an alternative format may contact DNR Recruiting staff at (360) 522-2500 or (360) 522-0143 or by email at DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov. Those with a hearing impairment in need of accommodation are encouraged to contact the Washington State Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) at 1-800-833-6388 or www.washingtonrelay.com. Check us out on: DNR's website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | WordPress Questions? Please contact Mark Arneson at mark.arneson@dnr.wa.gov, 360-770-4570 or Jesse Steele at jesse.steele@dnr.wa.gov, 360-854-8687 or e-mail us at DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov Once you submit your online application, you can check your status by logging into your account. If you experience technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application call NEOGOV toll-free at (855)524-5627 or email CareersHelp@des.wa.gov.

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