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Forestry Technician

Colville Confederated Tribes
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CLOSING DATE:     May 22, 2026

POSITION:               Forestry Technician II / III , Timber Sales Officer

SALARY:                 $23.08 to $29.00   per hour  DOE

REPORTS TO:        District Officer

LOCATION:            Forestry Department, Nespelem, WA 

 

Basic Functions:      This is a Non-Exempt position.   The incumbent serves as a Timber Sale Officer in with the primary responsibility for the administration of one or more timber sales and marking contracts per year.  During normal fire season, fire suppression activities take precedence over all other work. Explains timber sale contract requirements to Purchaser's Representative; monitors and inspects various contract operations and resolves related on-the-ground problems; documents timber sale contract compliance and non-compliance for permanent record and refers to the latter to immediate supervisor for guidance.

 

Forestry Technician II

This is a Journeyman level position that performs technical forest management work for the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation.  This is the second highest grade level in this series classification - the next higher level is Forestry Technician III. An employee occupying a position at this grade level is responsible for assisting professional foresters, the Supervisory Forestry Technician (or Supervisory Forester), or Forestry Technicians of an equal or higher grade level by performing a variety of technical forestry tasks requiring basic knowledge of forest biology, related physical sciences, and the practical application of standard forestry methods and techniques.  The work involves activities related to timber sale layout, sale administration on major timber sales, log scaling, presales cruising, and forest engineering assignments, fire suppression, and forest development.  This class of work is characterized by a significantly greater degree of responsibility and contract authority than at Forestry Technician I grade levels.  The nature of work is also significantly more complex than the work assignments at Forestry Technician I level. This greater degree of responsibility, authority, and complexity is exemplified by the value and nature of assigned projects.  The requirement to quickly learn and apply existing or new forestry methods and techniques is extremely critical in this position.

 

Forestry Technician III

This is an advanced Journeyman level position that performs technical forest management work for the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation.  The next higher-level position is Supervisory Forestry Technician, which individuals will have to apply and compete for.  Employees occupying a position at this grade level are responsible for assisting professional foresters, the Supervisory Forestry Technician (or Supervisory Forester), or Forestry Technicians of an equal or higher grade level by performing a variety of technical forestry tasks requiring basic knowledge of forest biology, related physical sciences, and the practical application of standard forestry methods and techniques.  The work involves activities related to timber sale layout, sale administration on major timber sales, log scaling, presales cruising, forest engineering assignments, fire suppression, and forest development.  This class of work is characterized by a significantly greater degree of responsibility and contract authority than at the Forestry Technician I and II grade levels.  The nature of work is also significantly more complex than the work assignments at the Forestry Technician II level. This greater degree of responsibility, authority, and complexity is exemplified by the value and nature of assigned projects.  The requirement to quickly learn and apply existing or new forestry methods and techniques is extremely critical in this position

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Training: 

  • Requires a high school diploma or equivalent, with some coursework in mathematics and science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, etc).  A strong math and science background is highly recommended
  • Requires a valid Washington State driver's license.

         AND

Forestry Technician II

  • Required three (3) seasons of experience and satisfactory performance (documented by performance appraisals) at the Forestry Technician I level (including training completed for an approved Training Plan)
  • Required certification at the Single Resource Boss level within 2 seasons.  Documentation in the form of an Overhead Performance rating will be required to verify experience

                 OR

Forestry Technician III

  • Required three (3) years of experience and satisfactory performance (documented by performance appraisals) at the Forestry Technician II grade level (not including training
  • Required certification at the Crew Boss, Strike Team/Task Force Leader, Prescribed Fire Burn Boss or Unit Leader level for Fire Management, with at least two (2) fires or burns performed at this level.  Documentation in the form of an Overhead Performance rating will be required to verify experience;

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

  • Requires knowledge of individual timber sale contract administration, and the Colville Reservation guidelines and policies for timber sale administration, and contract compliance.
  • Requires knowledge and use of various computer hardware, and software packages such as GPS, ESRI ArcGIS Online or Pro, spreadsheets, databases, and word-processing.
  • Requires knowledge of silviculture prescriptions, and how it relates to timber sale layout, harvest methods, transportation planning, and reforestation.
  • Requires knowledge of timber cruising for both large timber sales, and Individual Indian Allotments, in accordance with accepted methods on the Colville Reservation.
  • Must have knowledge of log scaling, the use of handheld computers for scaling, and data processing codes identifying management units, ownership, and scale data. 
  • Must have knowledge of fire control suppression methods and techniques in regard to forest and range wildfires as it relates to each functional area of a fire overhead team, ie. Command, Operations, Plans, etc. 
  • Ability to perform timber sale administration, including: Administering timber sale and marking contracts, ensuring compliance with safety regulations and contract requirements. 
  • Ability to perform forest management tasks, such as:  Block layout duties and marking timber,  Supervising operations related to seed collection, tree planting, and timber stand improvement, and conduct inventories and surveys for timber sales. 
  • Ability to participate in fire suppression activities and pass the Pack Test at the arduous level. 
  • Ability to qualify as the Incident Commander Type 4 (ICT4) level and Division/Group Supervisor level. 
  • Ability to serve as a Resource Advisor or Agency Representative on interagency incident management teams. 

 

Physical Abilities and Working Conditions:

  • Incumbent must be in good physical condition and be able to walk over rough and steep forest terrain during long hours each day.  
  • Incumbent works in the forest area on steep, rough terrain during all types of weather, including the coldest and hottest parts of the year. 
  • Risks for injury are above average, and alertness to avoid injuries is constantly necessary, especially during periods of rain, snow, and frozen ground. 
  • Incumbent must contend with bears, bees, poisonous snakes and plants.  Also, emergency firefighting under high hazard conditions is dangerous and exhausting.

Note: Pursuant to Tribal Policy, if this position is safety sensitive it is subject to pre-employment drug testing. In addition, this position is subject to reasonable suspicion and post-accident drug testing.  Requires an extensive criminal background inquiry (Tribal, State, financial) and maintain clearance throughout employment. Must maintain clearance throughout employment.  Preference will also be given to honorably discharged Veterans who are minimally qualified.

 

TRIBAL MEMBER AND INDIAN PREFERENCE WILL APPLY; PREFERENCE WILL ALSO BE GIVEN TO HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERANS WHO ARE MINIMALLY QUALIFIED.

 

If required of this position, you must possess and maintain a valid Washington State driver’s license and be eligible for the Tribes’ Vehicle Insurance.  In addition, this position may be subject to pre-employment background clearances.  If applicable, these clearances must be maintained throughout employment.

 

INFORMATION: Tanya Ives, HR Senior Analyst, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, Human Resources Office, P.O. Box 150, Nespelem, WA 99155, (509) 634-2201. tanya.ives.hrs@colvilletribes.com