Administrative Forester - Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation

Administrative Forester

Department of Natural Resources

Hourly Wage: $29.70/Regular/Full-Time

Functions under the Yakama Nation Division of Natural Resources Administration (YN DNR) to serve as a point of contact between the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Service (OWNF) and ensure timely and meaningful coordination regarding the Forest Service's planned and implemented projects under the Forest Service's Wildfire Crisis Strategy program.

Be responsible for monitoring current and proposed policies and projects to determine potential impacts on YN management goals and objectives, staying abreast of national and state policies to determine impacts to the YN.

Provide overall leadership to forestry and natural resource staff at the YN to relay information concerning the projects the Forest Service is planning and implementing.

The incumbent will work closely with and coordinate with the Tribal Forestry staff, other Yakama Nation natural resource programs, contractors, outside public and government agencies, academia, and others on a wide variety of projects usually associated with forest management and forest policy. The incumbent will be familiar with Federal laws including but not limited to the National Environmental Policy Act, National Indian Forest Resources Management Act, Tribal Forest Protection Act, National Historic Preservation Act, and the Endangered Species Act. Incumbent should be familiar with Tribal policy, laws, and plans related to land management issues within the Yakama Reservation.

Examples of Work Performed:

Provide overall leadership to forestry and natural resource staff at the YN to relay information concerning the projects the Forest Service is planning and implementing.

Develop reports as required to justify potential funding, report accomplishments, and verify expenditures. Ensure completion of reporting requirements associated with the agreement that are the responsibility of YN.

Monitor prescribed fire plans of the program to ensure compatibility with the Tribe's holistic goal by facilitating coordination in the project planning process.

Visit the Okanogan-Wenatchee National (OWNF) and participate in monitoring, field verifications, and data collection as needed.

Assists the Forest Service with strategic planning within the Wildfire Crisis Strategy programs of the OWNF at the direction of the YN NRD director and provide oversight into the Forest Service project planning process to ensure planning is done holistically and that projects meet YN forest management objectives.

Meet at least quarterly throughout the year with representatives of the Forest Service to collaboratively plan, discuss, and negotiate guidelines for natural resource tasks and projects that meet the objectives of this Agreement.

Provide the Forest Service with copies of project expenses and records pertaining to work accomplished upon request.

Attend trainings to keep up on appropriate information and changes that affect the Wildfire Crisis Strategy.

Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of Federal and Tribal laws and policies relating to forest management.

Knowledge of the Tribal Forest Protection Act, Stewardship Contracting, Good Neighbor Authority, MOU's, MOA's, and other mechanisms to support and implement off-Reservation timber sales.

Knowledge of the Yakama Nation resource management including forest, range, water, wildlife and policy, and resource plans.

Knowledge of silvicultural systems applicable to the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountains including forest insects and diseases associated with eastern Cascade timber types with an emphasis on uneven-aged management and ability to prepare written silvicultural prescriptions.

Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Ability to work independently with minimum supervision with multiple projects.

Minimum Requirements:

A Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry or closely related forestry field is required for this position.

Must provide a copy of college diploma and college transcripts when submitting an application for this position.

Five years of progressively responsible forestry work.

Must possess a valid Washington State Driver's License with the ability to obtain a Yakama Nation Driving permit.

Required to pass a pre-employment drug test.

Preferred Requirements:

Must be physically and mentally willing and able to endure extended periods of work under a wide variety of environmental conditions, e.g., ability to ascend and descend steep topography; work under hot summer temperatures to below zero during winter.

Enrolled Yakama Preference, but all qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.