About Tuolumne River Trust

The Tuolumne River Trust (TRT), a non-profit conservation organization with operations in Sonora, Modesto, and the San Francisco Bay Area, is seeking a full-time Forester. TRT promotes the stewardship of the Tuolumne River and its tributaries to ensure a healthy watershed, from Yosemite National Park through the San Joaquin Valley and to the San Francisco Bay. Founded in 1981, the Trust is the only organization working throughout the watershed, linking Sierra and Valley conservation issues, and forging strong ties between rural mountain and valley regions and Bay Area urban communities. The Trust has an annual core budget of approximately $3 million dollars, 25 employees, a cadre of consultants, and employees/offices in San Francisco, Modesto, and Sonora.

TRT programs include: a) improving water management and seeking change to relevant Federal, State, and Local laws and policies to support ecological restoration and recreation goals while also supporting healthy communities; b) restoration of floodplains, forests, meadows and other habitat in and along the Tuolumne and other nearby streams; and c) building public support for watershed stewardship by connecting the public to the River through education and outreach.

By linking mountain, valley, and Bay Area conservation issues, and connecting people to the river through outings and education, the Trust is building broad support for watershed stewardship. Our strategic approach melds advocacy, education, restoration, collaboration, scientific inquiry, and litigation when necessary to address threats and take advantage of conservation and restoration opportunities. For more information about the Tuolumne River Trust, visit: www.tuolumne.org.

Equity at TRT

TRT holds a deep commitment to equity, inclusion, diversity, and access as core principles integral to the work we do. As we add new members across all levels of the organization, we welcome diverse perspectives and lived experiences that foster learning, creativity, innovation, and equity. We welcome and encourage applications from candidates who can contribute to the diversity of our workforce across a range of dimensions.

About the Job

The incoming Forester will operate out of TRT’s Sonora office. This position is grant-funded and will include project management, budget control, coordinating implementation of fieldwork, leading field staff, CEQA/NEPA compliance, forest treatment planning, unit delineation, resource protection, and inspections. The Forester will help TRT implement forest health projects across the landscape, focusing public land management within the Stanislaus National Forest and on nearby private lands.

The Forester will help implement the Tuolumne River Trust’s (TRT) forest restoration program on the Stanislaus National Forest and nearby private lands. The Forester will play a central program role by working closely with TRT’s Forest Health Program Manager to manage grants, supervise contractors, as well as plan and implement projects. The Forester will help implement projects designed to increase the health and resilience of the Sierra Nevada forests, protecting and advocating for the ecological, social, and economic values that these forests provide. Finally, the Forester will frequently collaborate with TRT’s education and natural resource policy staff.

The ideal candidate is a Forester with experience running fuels treatment contracts in the Sierra Nevada. They must possess a valid license as a Registered Professional Forester (RPF) issued by the California State Board of Forestry. In addition, they must have working knowledge of forest ecology and related resource concerns, ideally with experience relevant to Sierra Nevada forests and plant communities. Experience with project management, project layout, overseeing project implementation, conservation planning, and managing contracts and subcontractors is ideal, as is a demonstrated ability to be self-directed while working collaboratively with other staff members and partners. This position is currently funded through grants from state and federal agencies.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Forester will advance TRT’s forest restoration program through project planning and project implementation. In addition, the Forester will liaise with private contractors, the Stanislaus National Forest, and staff from Tuolumne County. The Forester will be responsible for implementing contracts, project design and layout, marking boundaries, and project monitoring. The Forester will spend a significant portion of their time (50%) on project operations, managing fuels management activities to ensure projects achieve targets and objectives. In addition, they will ensure that mitigation measures are appropriate. They will monitor fuels treatments, evaluate effects, identify potential problems, and take action to solve them. This work will include designing and implementing fuels management treatments, supervising survey contractors, evaluating treatments and effectiveness, and serving as the point of contact for contracted crews. The Forester will dedicate approximately 40% of their time to planning and coordinating, including designing, reviewing, and implementing land management plans, instructing field staff, writing and reviewing contracts, and tracking projects. The Forester will spend approximately 10% of their time on program management, including soliciting grant funding, reporting project updates to grantors, and coordinating work between multiple partners and agencies.

Primary duties include:

• Plan and design fuels treatment projects on public and private land.
• Manage contractors, including:

  • Contractor selection for fuel breaks, understory fuels reduction, timber harvest, weed control, reforestation, and other project work, including developing Requests for Proposals and reviewing submitted proposals.

  • Development of contracts for the implementation of grant-funded work.

  • Establish pre-project flagging to mark work site boundaries, riparian buffers, etc.

• Schedule and oversee contractor work, including:

  • Site visits.

  • Contractor training for wildlife and cultural resources awareness.

  • Daily or weekly site visits to ensure adherence to project scope and required mitigations.

• Complete project documentation and monitoring, including:

  • Quarterly or semi-annual grant progress reports to project funders.

  • Project photo-monitoring, including establishment and documentation of photo points.

  • Documentation of invasive plant occurrences, treated area extents, and other field data using mobile phone/tablet-based GIS software.

• Fieldwork including (but not limited to)

  • Project design, layout and oversight.

  • Timber stand exams and Common Stand Exams.

  • Survival exams

  • Managing and leading field staff.

• Ensure compliance with CEQA and NEPA environmental regulations.
• Develop Standard Operating Procedures, train staff, and contribute to improving processes.
• Contribute professional advice, analysis, and guidance on forest management strategies, principles, and approaches based on the best available science to ensure forest management plans achieve ecological, social, and economic goals.
• The Forester may be asked to assist in grant writing efforts necessary to solicit funding for new projects.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum:

• Possession of a valid license as a Registered Professional Forester issued by the  California State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection
• An authorized letter from the California State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection, Professional Foresters Registration, can be substituted at the time of application. Any employment would be contingent on passing the exam before the start date.

Preferred:

• Bachelor’s (Master’s a plus) Degree in forest ecology, forestry, silviculture, natural resources management, or a closely- related field
• Valid archaeological training certificate from CalFire or California Licensed Foresters Association.
• Experience implementing and managing projects, including coordinating the work of other professionals and collaborating with internal and external partners.
• An interest and commitment to environmental conservation.  
• Project goal oriented with initiative in fulfilling programmatic and grant-related obligations. 
• Strong computer skills, including:

  • • Microsoft Word and Excel.

    • Esri products (ArcPro, ArcGIS Online, Field Maps, Survey123, etc.)

• Experience with CEQA Notices of Exemption and State Bill 901.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, interpersonal skills, and ability to communicate effectively with staff, volunteers, and the public. 
• Team player and ability to interact effectively with people from different cultures and experiences.
• Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
• Physically able to work in the field (hiking off-trail through heavy brush, lifting, carrying supplies and equipment, etc.) during all seasons. 
• Must have a valid driver’s license

Travel

Project locations are typically within 1-3 hours of the Sonora office. TRT compensates staff for travel time. There are several off road capable vehicles available for staff use. Use of the employee’s private vehicle may sometimes be necessary, over roads in a range of conditions, from paved to rough national forest roads. TRT reimburses for mileage driven in a personal vehicle. Commute to and from the Sonora office is not eligible for time or mileage compensation. TRT will request proof of a valid US Driver’s license and insurance at the time of employment.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for the position is $70,000 to $90,000, depending on qualifications.

TRT provides excellent benefits package: 

• 100% employer paid medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage
• Retirement plan with a 3% employer match
• After a probationary period, 2 weeks paid vacation per year with an additional week each year of employment to a maximum of 4 weeks per year.
• 17 paid holidays
• 12 days of paid sick leave per year
• Long-term disability coverage
• Employer-paid $10,000 life insurance policy
• 3 weeks of Paid Parental Leave for employees with at least two years of employment
• Flexible work schedule