Operations Forester

Position Summary

Develop and implement district specific operation plan by following the Forest Management Plan & Guidelines. Develop, and administer, timber harvesting, silviculture and roads programs to meet district goals. Develop contract specifications and oversee contract compliance for forest operations to ensure short term and long-term goals are achieved. Understand available wood markets and work with operations team to deliver wood on a schedule to help generate the best returns. Seek to improve business practices and share successes with the team. Work with the management team (e.g.  VP-HRC, Director of Operations, Director of Finance, Operations Manager, GIS Specialist and support staff) to ensure objectives are met or exceeded 

Principal Duties and Responsibilities Continued

Planning and Organizing

Develops rolling five-year harvest, silvicultural, and road plan.

Planning details to be more specific for imminent 18-month period.

Participates in preparing annual operating plan and budget (OP B).

Reforecast operating plan monthly.

Participate in the development of wood delivery schedule with markets.

Develops site-specific silvicultural treatment and harvest prescriptions.

Coordinates with Operations Manager to ensure wildlife and ecosystem values are managed appropriately

Negotiation

Participate in the negotiation of contract logging rates to be competitive in the market while securing a quality independent contractor force.

Participate in the negotiation of road construction contracts to be competitive in the market while securing a quality independent contractor force.

Marketing

Understand relationships with mills.

Responsible for ensuring that wood deliveries meet customer specifications.

Specialized/Technical Knowledge or Required Skills

Understand stand dynamics to allow scheduling of stands to be harvested.

Use GIS system to facilitate layout of harvesting, silvicultural activities, and road operations.

Ability to work and communicate in team environment.

Ability to be self-motivated.

Computer experience in GIS, GPS, word processing, and spreadsheets.

Timber inventory, and management plan development.

Silviculture knowledge.

Harvesting technology.

Road building and maintenance.

Major Challenges

Applying Huber Principles, daily.

Maintain business relationships with all contractors in a manner that complies with OSHA/IRS employee tests.

Ensure compliance with federal, state and local land use regulations.

Meeting OP&B and Management Plan Objectives. Maintaining and enhancing market knowledge.

Conflict management and resolution with contractors.

Ability to work independently while accomplishing team objectives.

Prevent and control forest fires.

To work on several projects simultaneously.

Education