Forester

~ Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation's Mission Statement: the Tribe's sovereign authority to achieve the maximum protection of resources identified in the treaty of 1855, to protect newly acquired lands wherein the Tribe has a vested interest, to protect the lands of all the citizens and residents of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. ~

Position Overview

The Forestry program is responsible for the ecological enhancement, economic development and sustainable use of forest resources of allotted, Tribal trust and Tribal fee patent lands for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR).

The Forester assists with development and implementation of activities and functions to carry out provisions of CTUIR missions and 25 CFR. The Forester develops, implements, and continues programs designed to secure optimum conservation and utilization of soil, water, and forestry resources to provide a fair and reasonable income to Indian landowners consistent with other resource values. The CTUIR employs the best available science to forward our mission through participation in policy, administrative processes, public outreach and education. The position will be under the supervision of the Supervisory Forester.

Note: This position will protect human life, water, Iand, air, and wildlife by exercising professional skills and abilities in the protection of the resources of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation.

The Forestry Program is required to:

1) Integrate the protection, conservation, utilization, and enhancement of Tribal fee, trust and/or restricted Indian forestry lands with the desires of the beneficial owners;

2) Ensure that beneficial owners receive fair market value for forest products; and

3) Accomplish 1 and 2 in conjunction with natural resource management objectives and cultural values of the Tribes.

Responsibilities

Examples of Major Duties:

• Forest Management: Serves as a staff specialist for recommending, developing, reviewing, and implementing both commercial and non-commercial silvicultural treatments on the Umatilla Indian Reservation. Participates in the preparation and execution of management projects associated with implementation of the CTUIR Forest Management Plan. Forester Department of Natural Resources.
• Project Supervision: Responsible for overseeing project operations and forest stand treatment activities on the Umatilla Indian Reservation forested areas to meet safety protocols, project specifications and reporting requirements.
• Forest Inventory/Evaluation: Conducts examinations of forest stands and evaluates the conditions found. Recommends actions to achieve goals and objectives of the CTUIR Forest Management Plan. Assists with cruising of forest stands and prepares reports of current timber volumes necessary for appraisal of land values.
• Forest Development: Develops and implements pre-commercial silvicultural prescriptions and/or actions for treatment of forest stands to maintain healthy yet fully stocked conditions.
• Timber Sales: Recommends, plans, and executes contract timber sales to achieve resource management objectives. This includes sale design; layout, cruising and marking; and timber sale contract inspections to insure compliance with the standards and guidelines in the CTUIR Forest Management Plan as well as all applicable rules and regulations. Assists with insuring collection of Trust Funds consistent with regulations and mandates of the Trust Asset and Accounting Management System (TAAMS).
• Environmental Compliance: Assists in the preparation of Tribal permit application, environmental analysis reports and biological evaluations necessary to comply with provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act and CTUIR mandates and laws.
• Collateral Dutv: Provides support to staff of CTUIR programs as time and funding allow. Acquire membership and participate in professional organizations that work to maintain and enhance ecosystem function on the Umatilla Indian Reservation.
• Fire/Fuels Progam: Participation in the Bureau of Indian Affairs Fire Program is extended to each Range, Agriculture and Forestry Program member. Employees working in forested environment are strongly encouraged to participate in fire suppression and prescribed fire.

Qualifications

Required Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science degree in forestry or related natural resource field including at least 18 semester hours course work in basic and applied forestry sciences including courses in such areas as forest and range plants, and forest sampling, inventory, measurement, and analysis techniques as applied to a variety of forest resources. At least 15 semester hours of directly related courses in the silviculture, reforestation methods, and timber stand improvement procedures sufficient to develop and prescribe proper silvicultural freatments and a minimum of one year of Forester Department of Natural Resources.
• Basic knowledge of environmental and cultural resource laws, regulations and policy in relation to trust responsibilities (i.e. National Environmental Policy Act, Clean Water Act, Pacific Northwest Electric Power and Conservation Act, National Historic Preservation Act, Archeological Resources Protection Act).
• Willingness to gain knowledge of Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation policies and administrative procedures relating to natural resource management and planning to coordinate examination of environmental consequences and development of action alternatives.
• Basic knowledge of the coordination and review procedures required of federal agencies by the National Environmental Policy Act and OMB Circular A-95.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Native American retained rights or resources as provided by treaty or recognized law Basic knowledge of the Geographic Information System technologies and methods and their utility to database development for the purpose of natural resources enhancement and land use planning.
• Technical comprehension of computerized mapping and database management technology sufficient to request, interpret and monitor computerized natural resource information and ensure viability.
• Knowledge of aerial photography and photo interpretation techniques and procedures sufficient to design and plan forest resource surveys, inventories, timber cruises, forest development and timber sale unit lay out on the Umatilla Indian Reservation forest lands.
• Ability to effectively and constructively communicate with other natural resource management disciplines both orally and in writing.
• Use of computer enhanced word processors, spreadsheets, databases and mapping systems including but not limited to: Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, ArcMap, etc.
• Must have a valid driver's license and must be insurable. Individual will be required to drive a Tribal GSA vehicle to perform job duties. Must be able or willing to learn how to operate mechanical equipment including but not limited to off road vehicles (ATVs), chainsaws, and assorted tools.
• Demonstrated punctuality, self-motivation, confidence, and a drive to complete assigned tasks.

Compensation: Pay range is $41,7 22.92 to $74,931.60 annually, DOE/DOQ.