Natural Forester, Natural Resource Specialist ; NRS

Natural Areas Forester, Natural Resource Specialist 2 (NRS2) | Recruitment #2026-1-A355 | Full‑time, Non‑permanent, Represented position (WPEA) | Anticipated Non‑permanent employment:
March – December 2026 |

Location:

Southeast Region – Dallesport, WA |

Work Hours:

flexible, partial telework may be available | Salary: $4,299.00 – $5,783.00 Monthly

Review of applications is ongoing. We reserve the right to make a hiring decision or close this recruitment at any time after 1/27/26. It is in your best interest to submit materials as soon as possible.

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has an exciting opportunity within our Southeast Region to hire a Natural Areas Forester. This position supports DNR in fulfilling its mission to protect the health of Washington’s natural heritage through conservation land management. The Natural Areas program protects some of the rarest plants and plant communities found in Washington. Under the general direction of the Southeast Natural Areas Manager, this role utilizes scientific knowledge and professional experience to design, plan, and lead forest restoration projects throughout eastern Washington.

The forester will assess current conditions on Natural Area Preserves and Natural Resource Conservation Areas in the southeast and northeast regions and determine the best forest treatments to meet ecological objectives.

• Design and implement forest restoration activities to benefit natural heritage features in natural areas and natural resource conservation areas.
• Apply professional knowledge to inform management practices for maintaining natural areas in the best ecological condition possible.
• Ensure contractual obligations are understood by contractors and compliance staff, and that they have reasonable and achievable results.
• Produce professional documentation that complies with all state and federal regulations and completes all necessary project permitting and paperwork, including Forest Practice Applications (FPA), State Environmental Policy Act checklists (SEPA), and HCP checklists.
• Monitor the effectiveness of forest treatments to determine success in achieving the goals of the project while minimizing impacts to the site.
• Facilitate consultation/coordination with resource specialists to evaluate and implement mitigation of project concerns in conjunction with HCP guidance, internal and external policy, interdisciplinary team meetings, and professional knowledge and experience to ensure regulatory, environmental, departmental social and political objectives are met.
• Lead technicians, interns, WCC work crew, volunteers, and others during restoration projects, as needed.
• Conduct on-the-ground forest health activities including non‑native plant control, reseeding, replanting, pruning, slashing of small trees, pile burning, and related tasks.

• Associate degree in forestry (or a closely related field) AND 2 years of forestry experience; OR an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
• Experience with forest measuring and survey tools such as GPS, laser measurement devices, compass, clinometer, and other forestry equipment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Proficient in the use of ArcGIS, cruising software, standard Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, etc.) programs, and mobile devices.
• Commitment to fostering and supporting an environment that honors diversity, equity, inclusion, and environmental justice practices.
• Perform assigned duties in a manner consistent with applicable laws, regulations, and public records retention and requests are followed.
• DNR
  
  Core Competencies:
  • Personal Accountability
  • Value Others
  • Compassionate Communication
  • Inspire Others
  • Commitment to Excellence

• Position’s assigned duty station is Dallesport, WA. Work is performed both in the field (up to 80%) and in the office (up to 20%) with some travel to remote locations. Field visits require the physical ability to work alone in undeveloped, remote, forested, or back‑country landscapes and terrains and the ability to traverse uneven terrain.
• Travel throughout eastern Washington may be…