JOB TITLE: Senior Forester 
CLASSIFICATION: Program Associate IV (for applicants with an RPF license) 
FULL SALARY RANGE: $36.06 to $46.06 ($75,005 to $95,805 annual salary) 
EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Full-Time, Exempt 

About the Watershed and Research Training Center and the Forestry and Fuels Program 
The Watershed Research and Training Center (WRTC) sustains healthy lands and healthy communities. What started in the early 1990s as a local project to re-train displaced loggers and mill workers in Trinity County, CA is now a vibrant nonprofit organization working locally, statewide and nationally on a host of landscape conservation and community development issues. In addition to putting dozens of our community members back to work in the woods each year, we lead several forest and watershed conservation programs, coordinate state wood utilization and fire management partnerships, and have played an influential role in state and federal policy-making and program direction. We are a team of approximately 70 year-round staff with up to 80 additional seasonal staff dedicated to caring for people and the landscapes we depend upon.

The Forestry and Fuels Program is one of the Watershed Center’s flagships, in operation for nearly 30 years. This program addresses the complexities of increasing landscape and community resilience to climate change and wildfire, sustainable forestry, and increasing local employment in forest stewardship, all operating within one of the most diverse temperate forest ecosystems and fire environments on earth.

Core program functions span cooperative cross-boundary planning and project design, landowner engagement and technical assistance, project preparation and layout, and project implementation (accomplished both with our own crews and aligned private contractors). Along with core forestry and fuels management functions, the program also encompasses botany and wildlife divisions, and works in close coordination with our Watershed Stewardship and Fire Management Programs to accomplish complex resource benefit objectives at the project and landscape scales. Our growing program team comprises a combination of year-round professional staff, field crew managers, and seasonal technical and labor crews planning and implementing across a complex suite of dozens of projects annually.

Job Summary 
The Senior Forester works as a member of the Forestry and Fuels Program alongside a team of two foresters, our Fuels, Forestry, Botany and Wildlife Division leaders, and a program support position, reporting directly to the Program Director.  

The Senior Forester provides broad support to various projects within the scope of the Watershed Center’s Forestry and Fuels Program with a focus on planning and administering complex forestry and hazardous fuels reduction projects on public and private lands including prioritization, unit delineation, environmental compliance (NEPA, CEQA, CA Forest Practice Act), layout and implementation support. This position will also involve opportunities to assist other divisions and programs within the successful candidate’s interests, capabilities and aspirations, including in our sector-leading fire and watershed programs.  

This position requires a variable combination of office and field time, dictated by season and project priorities. Effective coordination with other organizational staff, communication with the program director, and coordination with landowners and project partners are crucial aspects of this position. 

Position Scope, Responsibilities and Core Duties 

• Interact positively and professionally with WRTC staff, other WRTC divisions, landowners, community members, and agency employees 
• Support the management and implementation of program strategies and planned outcomes 
• Support seasonal forestry staff in collaboration with the Forestry Division Director including scheduling projects, coordination, and training  
• Ensure that the quality of outcomes and deliverables meets or exceeds the stated needs of projects 
• Collaborate with staff, partners, and contractors to achieve program goals, build relationships, and expand program capacity 
• Support Program Director by contributing technical knowledge, writing, and GIS support for grant proposals 
• Complete data collection, analysis and reporting for projects 

Minimum Qualifications, Skills and Competencies 

• A Bachelor of Science Degree in Forestry or closely related field 
• CA state-licensed Registered Professional Forester (RPF) 
• Candidates working towards becoming a RPF, or those with equivalent federal experience and qualifications, may be considered 
• Minimum of 4 years technical and practical forestry experience 
• GIS experience (ArcGIS Pro, QGIS, and/or Field Maps) 
• Strong communication and organizational skills 
• Valid driver’s license and ability to drive 4WD vehicles 
• Ability to make and substantiate strong decisions and promote a safe, respectful and efficient work environment  
• Use handheld GPS devices/programs (e.g. Trimble, Garmin, Allegro, Two Trails, Field Maps, Avenza, etc) to navigate remote areas and to track key project data accurately 
• Use forestry tools (e.g. Spiegel relaskop, Laser rangefinder, compass, logger’s tape, clinometer, etc) to conduct field work, accurately and efficiently 
• Must be able to work safely and efficiently in a field position, including the ability to navigate steep, rugged terrain 

Desired Qualifications, Skills and Competencies 

• Extensive fieldwork experience  
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail 
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines 
• Dynamic problem-solving and decision making skills 

Work Environment and Additional Requirements 
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to: hike and navigate difficult terrain in inclement, hot, dry, cold, wet and/or smoky weather, use electronic devices such as computers, tablets, phones, GPS, or data collectors, and will occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. 

Compensation and Benefits 

• This position has a starting wage range of $36.06 to $41.06, with an RPF license. Candidates without an RPF license start at $32.06 to $37.06. 
• The WRTC may provide paid study time, training and/or other support for the successful candidate in becoming a RPF.  
• Flexible work environment with options for remote work 
• Computer and other essential equipment provided  
• Company vehicle provided for work use 
• Benefits include employer paid health, vision and dental insurance, retirement plan, paid time off, 12 paid holidays, and cell phone stipend