What are the responsibilities and job description for the Service Forester, Natural Resource Specialist 3 (NRS3) position at State of Washington Dept. of Natural Resources?
Description
Service Forester, Natural Resource Specialist 3 (NRS3)
Recruitment #2025-3-7234
Full-time, Permanent, Represented position
Location: Southeast Region- East Wenatchee, WA
Work Hours and Partial Telework flexibility may be available and consideredRecruitment #2025-3-7234
Full-time, Permanent, Represented position
Location: Southeast Region- East Wenatchee, WA
Relocation Compensation may be available and considered
Salary: $4,865.00 - $6,539.00 Monthly
Want to join something GREAT and make a difference?
The Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has an exciting opportunity in the Southeast Region to deliver DNR’s Forest Resiliency Program. Are you someone who loves the outdoors and is passionate about restoring the ecology of our forest ecosystems? Do you enjoy working with the public, with diverse landowners and partners, working cross-boundary to find solutions in forest management? Are you passionate about building and growing a new program and team? Then this is the job for you! The DNR’s Southeast Region is seeking motivated individuals to lead our region-based Forest Resiliency efforts and our new Service Forestry teams – experts in private forestland management, working with landowners to deliver critical resources, educational opportunities, and more.
The Forest Resiliency Division is responsible for the assessment, planning, coordination and implementation, and monitoring of forest health-related activities across all lands that work to restore and sustain ecological functions of Washington’s forested landscapes and support healthy and resilient communities. The Service Forestry Program is an integral part of the team through the direct delivery of technical assistance and educational services supporting proactive management of Washington’s non-industrial private forests (NIPF), municipal forests, county-owned forest land, and nongovernmental organization-owned forest land.
DNR Regions operationalize and serve as stewards of the Division’s portfolio and deliver on the agency’s mission to manage, sustain, and protect the health and productivity of Washington’s lands and waters to meet the needs of present and future generations. Specifically, DNR regions serve as the operational arm of the agency and are responsible for the coordination, oversight, and delivery of key activities and priorities.
Washington’s Service Forestry Program provides land management advice to NIPF landowners and helps to assess resource conditions and forest health, identify potential problems and opportunities, determine cost-share eligibility, assist with treatment implementation, and recommend management practices to help achieve objectives. The program educates landowners and assists with the development and implementation of management plans to guide current and future management actions.
The Southeast Region Service Forester position supports the mission, principles, and goals of DNR by directly serving the public through the delivery of technical assistance and services to landowners and communities in Chelan and Douglas Counties by providing services within the framework of the One Stop Shop for Integrated Landowner Assistance. Service Foresters occupy an important role as a community’s link to DNR and are often the face of the agency for private landowners. Specifically, these professional foresters provide technical assistance in forest management, watershed protection, insect and disease control, forest recreation, tree planting, wildlife habitat development, and fuels reduction or mitigation and are responsible for the administration of fuels reduction and forest stewardship on private lands.
Activities include administering financial assistance programs, Forest Stewardship assistance visits, and service as first-line delivery of technical assistance and expertise on forest management topics. Further activities include providing landowners with technical review and analysis of forest health and fire hazards on private forested properties. This includes making recommendations for appropriate practices to reduce wildland fire potential and enhance forest health on stands of timber near dwellings, high public use areas, and forested properties. By performing these activities, this position helps to manage, sustain, and protect the health and productivity of Washington’s lands and waters to meet the needs of present and future generations.
Duties
Responsibilities:
- Allocate and disburse all federal and state cost share funds prior to the expiration date of the funds so that no unallocated funds remain to be returned.
- Ensure funds are being spent and work is being completed prior to projects expiring in the work Unit.
- Ensure clear communication is occurring with landowner projects and that landowners are being followed up with in a timely manner on Cost Share work.
- Assist Planner with development of fuel's reduction contract proposals in pre identified areas.
- Monitoring field work and providing as needed status reports of accomplishments to the North SF Planner.
- Keeping appropriate records and databases of projects and accomplishments.
- Help with development of Requests for Quotes and Qualifications (RFQQ's) and Contracts, as well as project layout and outreach.
- Act as Project Manager to ensure technical portions of the contract are administered properly.
- Attend and/or administer contractor workshops, or landowner presentations, etc. to distribute Stewardship and forest health information and management techniques to small forest landowners in Chelan and Douglas Counties.
- Approve forest management plans as DNR representative; all approved plans include required elements in Washington State interagency Forest Management Plan (FMP) Guidelines and are sent to the region for inclusion into databases.
- Provide employees a comprehensive onboarding including how their contributions fit into the agency’s values, culture, and mission.
- Set clear job performance standards and expectations and provide timely feedback to ensure prompt correction and mastering of duties assigned.
- Provide employees with the tools and resources to develop, plan and pursue further career opportunities that will bring value to the employee and the agency.
- Foster an environment in which employees are “problem-solvers;” to support innovation, continuous process improvement and public service.
- Recognize and reinforce high performance, public service, problem solving, innovation, accountability, and teamwork.
- Develop and sustain cooperative working relationships. Encourages and facilitates cooperation, fostering commitment, team spirit, pride, and trust.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
- Experience in professional forest management techniques.
- Knowledge of Forest Health condition class and related fuel management strategy.
- Experience with state forest practices rules and related regulations.
- Experience working on unfamiliar and difficult terrain by vehicle and on foot.
- Personal organization and prioritization skills.
- Demonstrated oral and written communication skills.
- Experience reading maps and interpret information on aerial photos.
- Commitment to fostering and supporting an environment that honors diversity, equity, inclusion, and environmental justice practices.
- Perform assigned duties in a manner consistent with applicable laws, regulations and public records retention and requests are followed.
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DNR Core Competencies:
- Personal Accountability
- Value Others
- Compassionate Communication
- Inspire Others
- Commitment to Excellence
- Position's assigned duty station is the Wenatchee Work Center. The majority (approx.70%) of work is performed alone in sometimes isolated unimproved natural areas and on privately owned forest and rangeland. Incumbent must be able to traverse uneven terrain in all weather conditions. Office work (approx. 30%) is also required and involves sitting or standing in an office environment.
- Position requires daily driving and time in the field to conduct site visits with landowners. Occasional overnight travel may be required to attend trainings, events, and meetings.
- A valid unrestricted driver’s license and have two years of driving experience. This position requires driving as an essential function. Finalists and/or interview candidates will be asked to provide a driving record from all states in which they have held a license during the past three years.
- A bachelor's degree in Forestry, Resource Management, or natural resource-related field from an accredited institution.
- Three years’ experience with forest management, silviculture and forestry practices.
- Knowledge of agency landowner assistance and SFLO stewardship programs.
- Knowledge of state and local fire regulations.
- Experience with government contracting and operations.
- Working knowledge and formal training in wildland firefighting techniques and mitigation strategies.
- Experience with Esri Arc GIS programs
- Interagency wildland fire operations and functions.
- Group presentation and instruction experience.
- Experience working with the public.
Supplemental Information
Application Requirements:
- Apply online: at www.careers.wa.gov (Click on the APPLY button above).
- Letter of interest: describing your specific qualifications to the position and position required, desired, and special requirements.
- Resume: that details your experience and qualifications.
- References: 3-5 professional references with current telephone numbers; to include your 2 most recent supervisors. You may attach a document, use the References text field in the online application, or include it with your resume.
- Important: Do not attach any documents that include photos or private information (social security number, year of birth, etc.).
- Complete all supplemental questions.
- Candidates who move forward in the recruitment process may be contacted via email at info@governmentjobs.com with interview information/scheduling instructions. Please monitor the email listed in your application materials and check your junk email folder to ensure you receive those communications.
Persons needing accommodation in the application/testing process or this job announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 522-2500 or email DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.
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.
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.
- 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 benefits 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.
This recruitment may be extended and may also be used to fill future similar vacancies for up to sixty (60) days.
DNR does not use the E-Verify system. For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov.
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 it. We thank you and are grateful for your service!
Equal Opportunity Employer: The Washington State 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.
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 360-664-1960 or 1-877-664-1960 or email CareersHelp@des.wa.gov.
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Salary : $4,865 - $6,539
