Supervisory Forester

Supervisory Forester – Position Summary

Position Overview

The Supervisory Forester leads the planning, implementation, and oversight of forest management activities for Tribal trust, fee, and allotted lands. This role ensures sustainable forestry practices that balance ecological health, cultural values, and economic returns, consistent with Tribal resource objectives and federal regulations.

The position supervises forestry staff and works closely with Tribal leadership, agencies, and stakeholders to support long-term stewardship and enhancement of forest ecosystems, including culturally significant “First Foods.”

Key Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Supervision

Supervise 3–6 forestry staff and oversee daily program operations

Manage forest inventory, planning, and project execution

Provide technical and administrative leadership across forestry functions

Forest Management & Planning

Implement and update the Forest Management Plan

Develop silvicultural prescriptions and treatment strategies

Ensure sustainable timber production and ecosystem health

Field Operations & Resource Evaluation

Conduct and oversee forest stand assessments and inventories

Identify treatment needs (reforestation, thinning, enhancement)

Support timber appraisals and land management decisions

Timber & Vegetation Management

Plan and evaluate timber stand improvement and harvest activities

Oversee reforestation, planting, and habitat enhancement efforts

Ensure compliance with environmental and silvicultural standards

Regulatory Compliance & Coordination

Ensure compliance with 25 CFR, NEPA, and Tribal regulations

Coordinate with federal, state, and Tribal agencies

Participate in environmental analysis and reporting

Fire & Fuels Support

Provide technical input on fuels management and prescribed fire

Support wildfire and fuels programs as needed

Outreach & Training

Deliver training on forestry practices and resource management

Engage stakeholders, landowners, and Tribal community members

Minimum Requirements

Education & Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Forestry or closely related field

Includes coursework in forest ecology, inventory, silviculture, and resource management

AND minimum 3 years of professional experience supervising staff in natural resources

OR Master’s degree in related field with 2 years of experience

Technical Knowledge

Forestry practices: silviculture, reforestation, timber stand improvement

Forest inventory, measurement, and analysis techniques

GIS and mapping systems (e.g., ArcGIS)

Environmental compliance (NEPA and related laws)

Timber sale layout, aerial photo interpretation, and land management planning

Skills & Abilities

Strong leadership and staff supervision skills

Ability to analyze forest conditions and develop management strategies

Effective written and verbal communication

Ability to coordinate across agencies and stakeholders

Other Requirements

Valid driver’s license and insurable

Ability to pass background investigation (Trust Asset systems access)

Willingness to work in field conditions and variable hours

Ability to work in rugged terrain and lift up to 50 lbs

Preferred / Desired Qualifications (optional but recommended for ads)

Experience working with Tribal governments or Indigenous resource management

Knowledge of treaty rights and culturally significant resource management

Optional wildland fire qualifications or willingness to obtain

Responsible for making sure forest decisions hold up ecologically, economically, and culturally—and that’s a higher bar than most forestry positions.