Job description
Join Northwest Forest Solutions, a leading conservation and forest management company dedicated to sustainable timberlands and healthy ecosystems. We are seeking a motivated Forestry Field Technician to support field surveys, inventory, and forest health monitoring in the Portland area. This full-time role offers hands-on fieldwork, data-driven decision making, and opportunities for professional growth in forestry and natural resource management.
As a Forestry Field Technician, you will collect field data, assist with inventory plots, monitor tree health, and support timber stand improvement activities. You will work with a cross-functional team to ensure accuracy, safety, and environmental compliance.
We value initiative, strong observational skills, and a commitment to sustainable forestry practices. If you enjoy outdoor work, data collection, and environmental stewardship, this is the role for you.
Responsibility
- Conduct regular field surveys to collect vegetation metrics, including diameter at breast height (DBH), height, and species identification.
- Establish and maintain permanent sample plots for forest inventory and health monitoring.
- Assist with timber stand improvement projects and site preparation activities.
- Collect soil, seedling, and vegetation samples for lab analysis and restoration planning.
- Use GPS and GIS tools to map plots, log data, and support spatial analyses.
- Maintain accurate field notes, upload data to the forest management system, and ensure data quality control.
- Perform safety checks, adhere to PPE requirements, and report any hazards or incidents promptly.
- Support environmental outreach and coordination with public land managers as needed.
Qualification
- High school diploma or equivalent; technical degree or coursework in forestry, natural resources, or related field preferred.
- 1–3 years of field forestry or natural resource data collection experience is preferred.
- Proficiency with GIS (ArcGIS, QGIS) and mobile data collection tools.
- Strong tree identification skills and basic knowledge of forest ecology and silvicultural practices.
- Ability to work outdoors in variable weather conditions and carry field gear up to 40 lbs.
- Excellent attention to detail, data accuracy, and documentation skills.
- Effective communication and teamwork; ability to work independently with supervision as needed.
- Valid driver’s license and clean driving record; willingness to travel to project sites as required.