Lumberjack RC&D

Position Title: Inventory Forester

Position Location:

Northwestern Wisconsin: Superior, Ashland, Hayward.  The successful applicant will be required to live in and around this area with some flexibility depending on location.

Start Date:

Immediately, with flexibility based on the successful applicant’s availability.  This position will remain continuously open until it is filled.

Background:

Lumberjack forest inventory program has over a 25-year history of doing forest inventory work in Wisconsin for the Wisconsin Department of Natural resources (WIDNR) and has an excellent record of working collaboratively on other forest inventory projects with the United States Forest Service (USFS).  Lumberjack installs and remeasures Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) P2 and Urban plots as well as Wisconsin State Forest Continuous Forest Inventory (WisCFI) P2 and P3 plots.  Lumberjack has also completed several other projects for the USFS, WIDNR, and private landowners.  More information about the organization can be found on the company website: https://lumberjackrcd.org/forest-inventory

The current inventory staff consists of seven permanent field foresters with a combined total of nearly 50 years of inventory experience with Lumberjack.  Offices are semi-remote and scattered across the state of Wisconsin.

Job Description:

The inventory forester is primarily involved in the establishment and remeasurement of permanent forest inventory plots, though it is not strictly limited to this.  At times other work that may or may not be related to forest inventory is made available and would be considered part of the job.

In general, the job is 90% outside field work.  Applicants should be prepared to work in all types of weather year-round including extreme heat and cold, biting insects, deep snow, and rain. 

This job is physically demanding and requires long hikes through sometimes very difficult terrain and conditions.  Candidates cannot have any physical limitations and should be able to carry 50+ pounds of equipment and walk up to 5+ miles per day.  In addition to physical demands, candidates must be comfortable working alone in remote areas where cell phone coverage is nonexistent.

There is substantial travel associated with this position and the successful candidate should expect to be away from home (Mon-Fri) for approximately 6-8 weeks of a year.  All travel, however, is within the Midwest except for a 1–2 week required certification course.  Additional travel may be required during the initial 3-6 month training period.

Specific Duties:

• Determining land ownership using county GIS data to obtain access permission for all privately-owned properties, including calling, emailing, and visiting landowners in person.
• Using aerial photos to locate selected locations on the ground by transferring photo measurements to the field and navigating to these using compass and pacing techniques with the aid of a GPS device.
• Taking tree measurements on the plot including diameters, heights, crown measurements, grading (standing), age, and assessing trees for damage and diseases.
• Classify forest type, habitat type, assess land uses, and soils, measure slope, aspect, count down woody material, and more.
• All data items are to be taken accurately, strictly following established guidelines and protocols included in federally produced manuals.

Other duties may vary but include properly documenting completed work and file data according to established procedures, routine maintenance of a company provided vehicle, and communicating with other members of the crew.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Possess a two-year forestry or natural resources related degree or have equivalent experience.
• Be able to accurately identify Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan tree species both leaf-on and leaf-off.
• The desire and ability to work outdoors in Wisconsin, year-round.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• A valid driver’s license and proof of insurance is required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Possess a four-year degree in Forestry or natural resources related degree.
• Have previous FIA/CFI inventory experience or knowledge of the program.
• Knowledge of herbaceous plants with a habitat typing certification in the state of Wisconsin.
• Proficiency in ArcGIS or QGIS software.

* Candidates who do not possess a natural resource related degree will be considered provided they can clearly demonstrate the ability to identify Wisconsin’s tree species and can show through prior work experience that they are comfortable working outdoors, year-round, in Wisconsin.

Compensation:

The position is considered full-time permanent with a starting hourly rate of $19.33 - $23.94 depending on experience paid biweekly for a 40-hour work week. Additional benefits include:

• Paid vacation accruing biweekly
• Paid sick leave accruing biweekly
• Paid holidays following all federal holidays
• Compensatory time accrued for every quarter hour worked over 40 hours a week
• Retirement plan with 3% company match
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Company provided vehicle and credit card.
• Hotel and per diem paid while on travel status.