Fuels/GIS Forester

Fuels/GIS Forester

Fuels Management

Department of Natural Resources

Hourly Wage: $24.44/Regular/Full-Time/Supervisory

Position functions under the Yakama Nation (YN), Division of Natural Resources (DNR) Fuels Management 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 incumbent will work closely with the BIA Branch of Forestry, Tribal Forestry, and other natural resource disciplines. On assigned projects, the incumbent is responsible for project development, documentation, implementation, and monitoring.

The Program will coordinate the Yakama Nation and BIA programs in the development, implementation, and monitoring of plans and projects throughout the Yakama Reservation and ceded area which relate to the development, maintenance, and enhancement of tribal natural resources. Incumbent will actively participate in planning efforts currently being pursued by the Yakama Nation which may include but not limited to the Yakama Nation Strategic Plan, Natural Resources Policy Plan, Integrated Resources Management Plan and Forest Management Plan. Incumbent will be involved with the implementation of these plans, especially related to timber sale follow-up activity. Incumbent will design, implement, and monitor post timber harvest field projects to ensure sustained yield forestry. Field projects will include prescribed fire restoration activities and projects.

Examples of Work Performed:

Utilizes geographical positioning systems (GPS) to navigate locations, measure, or map roads, treatment units, monitoring plots, etc.

Processes and manages GPS data using geographical information systems (GIS).

Utilizes computer software such as Arc Map, Pathfinder, Word, Excel, Fuel Character Classification System (FCCS), FireMon, and Behave Plus to analyze data, manage data collection, and prepare reports.

Will provide fuels monitoring through implementation of pre-implementation, and post monitoring inventories.

Accurately locates and lays out treatment units, working from maps and photos.

Determines appropriate sampling strategy and develops sampling designs, such as Brown's transect, line intersect, fixed plot, ocular estimates, and photo plots.

Measures tree, plant, and site characteristics with speed and accuracy.

Performs and directs inventory work involving various measurements of vegetation and identification of trees, plants, and shrub species.

Performs analysis of data gathered to determine if treatment objectives were achieved.

Prepares reports documenting findings and makes recommendations for improvement.

Assists other fire/forestry departments and operations as directed.

Coordinate with Bureau of Indian Affairs, Branch of Forestry in the implementation of prescribed burning projects under the guidance of the Fuels Manager or designated representative. Projects may involve determining survey methods of fuel loading and preparing fuels management prescriptions.

Coordinates projects with various forestry personnel within the following sections: Presales, Inventory, GIS, Silviculture, Timber Sales; Natural Resource personnel within the following Sections: Cultural Resources, Fisheries, Wildlife, Vegetation Management, and Water Resources.

Participates in on-Reservation fires in an overhead capacity. May participate in off-Reservation fires.

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 willing to participate in Prescribed Fire Operations and Wildland Fire Suppression in a variety of roles, including night and weekend activities.

Will be on rotation for standby during fire season.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of the Yakama Nation resources including forest, range, water, wildlife, and culture and understanding of the Yakama Nation policy plans, resource plans, tribal regulations and tribal ordinances.

Knowledge of silvicultural systems applicable to the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountains including forest insects and diseases associated with eastern Cascade timber types with a special emphasis on uneven-aged management and ability to prepare written silvicultural prescriptions.

Knowledge of fire behavior, fire effects, suppression strategy and tactics, and ability to implement prescribed burns.

Knowledge of fuel models to be used in analysis of fire behavior (Anderson 13 and Scott and Burgan 40).

Ability to recognize forest insects and diseases associated with eastern Cascade timber types.

Ability to use computer software for word processing and data spreadsheets and use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) including ArcView software and Global Positioning Systems (GPS).

Prior wildland firefighting experience is a mandatory requirement.

Minimum Requirements:

A Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry or closely related forestry field.

Three years progressively responsible forestry work and wildland firefighting.

Must be able to annually pass the National Wildfire Coordination Group national standard fitness (pack) test for arduous work level.

Must provide copy of college diploma and college transcripts when submitting application.

Must provide written response to the incumbents Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities as outlined or provide resume detailing qualifications as indicated on the Job Announcement and Position Description.

Must provide documentation verifying wildland fire qualification and experience.

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:

Masters Degree in Forestry or closely related forestry field.

Maintains or in pursuit, at a minimum Single Resource and Prescribed Fire qualifications.

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

Salary : $24