Geologist, Senior - Mendocino Forest Products Company

Overview

Humboldt Redwood Company, LLC (HRC) is seeking a Licensed Professional or Certified Engineering Geologist with the State of California to join our Forestry team based in Scotia, CA.

The base salary for this position is $125,000.00 to $175,000.00.  Your final base salary compensation will be determined based on factors such as geographic locations, skills, education and/or experience.  Please keep in mind that that the range published is the full base salary. We also offer a generous benefits package.

The Mendocino Companies (Mendocino Forest Products Company, Mendocino Redwood Company, Humboldt Redwood Company, Humboldt Sawmill Company, and Allweather Wood) own nearly 450,000 acres of Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC® C031337) certificated redwood and Douglas-fir timberland, constitute the largest waterborne wood treater in the Western USA, and is the largest producer of redwood lumber in the world. Collectively providing 950 employees and their families with excellent wages and benefits in communities throughout the Western USA. Additionally, the Mendocino Companies own and operate a 25-megaWatt biomass cogeneration power plant and wood pellet plant.

The Senior Geologist position provides geologic and slope stability assessment and recommendation for the private timberlands of Mendocino and Humboldt Redwood Companies including geologic review for Timber Harvesting Plans, Habitat Conservation Plan requirements, watershed analysis, property-wide mass wasting inventories, road construction and landslide mitigation.   The position oversees and advises a staff of geologists and geologists in-training.  This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced geologist looking to work with a natural resource team of other geologists, foresters, and forest scientists in soil conservation and the long-term sustainable management of privately owned north coast California forests. 

Responsibilities

• Provide supervision of other company Professional Geologists (PG) and Geologists in Training.
• Prepare and present annual geologic training for foresters and other company resource professionals.
• Prepare and present geologic findings in both private and public forums.
• Provide necessary planning, fieldwork, oversight, and reporting required for geologic licensure of Timber Harvest Plans (THP).
• Compose Note 45 THP Geologic Reports to include time sequenced stereo-paired aerial photographic analysis, review of published geologic maps and geology reports, field mapping of geologic formations, structural associations, geomorphology and mass wasting and analysis of the data. Coordinate with Registered Professional Foresters (RPF) regarding findings. Develop mitigation if necessary to avoid and minimize increased mass wasting potential following harvest activities. Prepare written reports regarding the findings for agency review in the THP.
• Assist in preparing Watershed Wide Waste Discharge Reports and California Department of Fish and Wildlife 1600 streambed alteration permits.
• Conduct watershed analysis reviews and report findings to the signatory agencies of the HRC Habitat Conservation Plan.
• Document detailed characterizations of failed road segments and / or significant stream restoration activities for repair, provide mitigation plans and supervise construction / deconstruction activities.
• Conduct watershed wide mass wasting assessments, analyze data to determine trends and relationships, and interpret harvest related associations.
• Develop and maintain a current property-wide landslide inventory database including system for standardized landslide data collection.
• Assess mass wasting risks associated with adjacent public and private property.
• Ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations and with company environmental standards.
• Provide engineering geologic input at the planning phase for road decommissioning.
• Be available as an on call technical supervisor for all matters pertaining to forest and stream restoration projects, mass wasting or sediment delivery to waters of the state, and to assess current and potential future impacts and implementation of mitigation.
• Other slope stability and soil conservation duties as needed and assigned.

Qualifications

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above and below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Bachelor of Science degree (B.S.) or higher from four-year College or University in Geology, Geomorphology, Soil Science or Watershed Science required; minimum five years of related experience.
• Must be a Licensed Professional Geologist or a Certified Engineering Geologist with the State of California.
• Must maintain and carry a valid California driver’s license and remain eligible and capable of operating company vehicles including automobiles and trucks in accordance with company policy guidelines. With appropriate training, an individual must be capable of safely and effectively operating all-terrain vehicles in accordance with company policy guidelines.
• Must have experience in the recognition, mapping, measurement of, and interpretation of mass wasting geomorphology in a forested environment.
• The ability to use GPS, directional compass and topographical maps is necessary.
• An individual should be proficient in using ArcView or ArcPro, GPS, MS Excel, MS Word and MS Outlook and similar software programs. CAD abilities are a plus.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently required to walk, sit, and communicate. The employee is occasionally required to stand; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Hiking in steep and difficult terrain is required. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to ten (10) pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close, distance, color, peripheral, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly exposed to outside adverse weather and field conditions including steep and difficult terrain.  As the employee is often required to use four-wheel drive and all terrain vehicles, the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes, or airborne particles.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

The personal protective equipment requirements described here are representative of those necessary to safely perform the essential functions of this position. 

This position requires the following personal protective equipment:  Vibram or corked boots, eye protection, hearing protection, hard hat, and ATV helmet.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

The travel requirements described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position.

This position has typical travel requirements of a local nature (within 150 miles one way) usually by pickup truck. Occasionally travel will be required of greater distances to meetings, conferences, and trainings. 

COMPETENCIES

To perform the position successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

Quality of work - Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; looks for ways to improve and promote quality; applies feedback to improve performance; monitors own work to ensure quality.

Oral & Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively; edits work for spelling and grammar; varies writing style to meet needs; presents numerical data effectively; able to read and interpret written information; communicates efficiently with supervisor, employees, colleagues, federal and state agencies, and the public.

Quantity of work - Meets productivity standards; completes work in timely manner; strives to increase productivity; uses time

efficiently.

Organizational Support - Follows policies and procedures; completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; supports organization's goals and values. Provides supervision, training, and support to employees.

Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures; determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; reports potentially unsafe conditions

 Equal Opportunity Employer, Valuing Diversity of our Workforce and Offering a Drug Free Workplace