Reforestation Field Technician (WA)

American Forests is recruiting a Reforestation Field Technician to be based in Wenatchee, Washington, working on high-priority reforestation projects on National Forest System lands. American Forests is the oldest national non-profit conservation organisation in the US, established in 1875 and working for over 150 years on urban forest restoration and forested landscape recovery. The scale of reforestation loss in the US is currently outpacing natural recovery, with millions of acres impacted by high-severity wildfire, disease and severe weather events, and American Forests and the USDA Forest Service have partnered to accelerate reforestation efforts on National Forest System lands.

The Field Technician will be part of a four-person crew dedicated to high-priority reforestation projects, responsible for the technical, physical work that ensures new forests will grow, from site assessment and monitoring to coordinating complex field logistics. Working under the guidance of an American Forests Field Manager with support from regional USFS staff, the role offers direct experience in large-scale forest restoration and collaborative partnerships.

Field forestry tasks (85% of the role) include completing on-the-ground reforestation surveys (natural regeneration, stocking and survival, including of the IUCN Endangered Whitebark Pine); using a tablet to record and interpret spatial data in ESRI Field Maps, Survey123 and other applications; inspecting planting, site preparation or fuels management contracts and maintaining documentation; layout of units for planting, site preparation or fuels management; cone collection (preparation, cone surveys, tree climbing, and inspection of cone collection contracts); post-collection maintenance of cone bushels and transport to seed extractories; inventorying wild seed trees selected for genetic suitability; inventorying planted seed orchard sites; coordinating with research scientists; and coordinating or participating in project-level multi-party surveys and monitoring. Administration and work planning (15%) includes attending field safety trainings, coordinating field crew work schedules and travel logistics, and supporting Field Managers in tracking and recording reforestation accomplishment data.

Ideal candidates should have or be in pursuit of an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in Natural Resource Management, Forestry, Conservation Biology or a related field, or two years of experience in natural resource management, or an equivalent combination of education and related experience. Prior field experience in forestry and natural resources is highly desired. The role requires familiarity with forest ecosystems in the desired US region, sustainable forestry and natural resource conservation practices; the ability to navigate using a directional compass and topographical maps; proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, Excel and Word; the ability to communicate effectively in English (Spanish is highly desired); and the ability to hike long distances and lift and carry up to 50 lbs. Field work includes exposure to varying terrain, dense vegetation, wildlife risks and hot, wet and cold conditions.

Benefits include medical, dental and vision, vacation and sick leave, 401(k) with 5% match, employee assistance programme, paid holidays, flexible spending accounts, disability insurance, parental bonding leave, technology stipend, life and AD&D insurance, bereavement leave, pet benefits and military leave.