Fee Land Special Projects Forest Technician

Fee Land Special Projects Forest Technician

Tribal Forestry

Department of Natural Resources

Hourly Wage: $18.23-$20.52/Regular/Furlough

Location: Fee Land Forestry Office, WS

Position functions under the Yakama Nation, Division of Natural Resources (DNR) Fee Land Program. The YN DNR in coordination with the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) is responsible for the management of 1.2-million-acre Yakama Reservation, which includes more than one-half million acres of timberlands, located along the Eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountains.

The position requires the individual to work on a wide variety of forestry related activities within the boundaries of the Yakama Reservation. Projects will be of a highly technical nature and will require coordination with various forestry personnel and other natural resource disciplines. The incumbent is responsible for project development, implementation and monitoring of post-fire vegetation analysis and other forest development activities.

Incumbent will be involved with implementation of plans, including timber sales follow up activities such as planting, precommercial thinning, site preparation and prescribed burning. Incumbent will be involved with the design, implementation, and monitoring of these activities to ensure sustained yield forestry. Incumbent will be responsible to maintain eligibility for both fire suppression and participation in prescribed burns.

Examples of Work Performed:

Works in rough, steep forest terrain during various types of weather. Field conditions vary from hot and dusty in the summer to below-zero temperatures and deep snow in the winter. Driving on narrow, steep, hazardous roads will be required. Risks for bodily injury are above average; exercising safety precaution and staying alert will be constantly necessary, especially during periods of snow, rain, wildfire, or dust.

Plans, implements, and monitors appropriate forest projects including fulfilling a Timber Sale Officer role during timber sales.

Collects field data as necessary.

Works with Tribal Forestry Forest Operations Manager on unit layout utilizing GPS and/or sale map.

Participate in fire suppression, pre-suppression, and fire-based site preparation activities, and may serve in an overhead position on large fires both at the Agency and off Reservation. Maintain campground and picnic facilities. Collect and dispose of garbage, sanitation of toilets, maintain and repair signs. Collect, cut, and provide firewood for visitors. Maintain trail systems, foot paths and bridges, repair washout areas, and monitor for environmental damage. Coordinate fish plants in the area lakes. Maintain living quarters consisting of travel trailers.

Provides field coordination with outside volunteer groups and organizations such as Washington Trails Association and Job Corps in the maintenance of Mount Adams Recreation Tract D. May assist in the development of contracts and administer various project contracts.

Maintains good public relations with a wide variety of people. Tactfully enforces Yakama Nation rules and regulations. Ensures that fire precautions are being maintained by the visitors. Obtaining voluntary compliance is essential since Yakama Nation law enforcement personnel may be several hours responding time.

Assists Tribal Forestry Heavy Equipment Operator as needed on projects.

Leads and Supervises Tribal Forestry Fee Land Special Project Crew on a variety of projects.

Complete monthly narrative of daily duties.

Maintain vehicle and maintenance log monthly.

Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of forest tree species, plant species and cover types found on the Yakama Reservation.

Knowledge of local selective timber harvest marking rules and guidelines for silvicultural prescriptions by stand conditions, species compositions and environmental, ecological, and aesthetic considerations to select timber for harvest during the timber sale cruise, in accordance with sustained yield principles and management objectives.

Knowledge of individual timber contract specifications and ability to interpret silviculture prescriptions.

Knowledge of merchantability of timber resources.

Ability to read maps, aerial photos, and retrace general land office survey lines/relocate original bearing trees and corner monuments to establish sale boundary, ownership lines or property.

Ability to operate field equipment for navigation such as Trimble, Garmin GPS, and compass; as well as utilize

GIS technology, including both hardware and software use (Avenza, Collector, etc).

Ability to socialize with a wide array of people, tactfully enforce Yakama Nation rules and regulations, communicate

and coordinate with outside groups and organizations, and be a positive representative of the Yakama Nation.

Knowledge of first aid procedures, ability to organize and participate in search and rescue operations, and ability to handle emergency life threatening situations.

Skills in general computer software, such as spreadsheets, word processing, e-mail, and internet.

Knowledge of wildland fire.

Minimum Requirements:

Must have a minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in the field of natural resources.

Must be physically and mentally capable and willing to endure extended periods of work under a wide variety of environmental conditions and be in good physical condition, be able to ascend and descend steep topography through rough forest terrain.

Must be able to pass the National Wildfire Coordinating Group national standard fitness test for arduous work level and qualified as a NWCG Single Resource Boss.

Must possess, or obtain within six months of hire, a valid First Aid/CPR card and maintain certification.

Must possess a valid Washington State Driver's License with the ability to obtain a Yakama Nation Driving permit.

Required to pass a pre-employment drug test.

Preferred Requirements:

Enrolled Yakama Preference, but all qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.