Position: Senior Forester
Reports to: Director of Forest Operations
FLSA Status: Exempt
Position Overview: The Senior Forester plays a key leadership role within the Forest Operations team, overseeing timber procurement, log quality, contract compliance, and field forestry activities to support mill fiber needs. This position ensures a consistent, high-quality, and cost-effective supply of logs while maintaining strong relationships with logging contractors, State and Federal agencies, and internal stakeholders.
Responsibilities:
Timber Procurement & Supply Chain Management
- Lead procurement activities to ensure a reliable, high-quality, and cost-effective supply of logs to support mill production.
- Appraisal and bidding on IRTC, IRSC, GNA, Timber Sale, and related agreements with the USFS, state, and local agencies.
- Identify, negotiate, and manage Gatewood and other delivered log contracts.
- Maintain strong relationships with RFOR logging contractors, the local logging community, local, state, and federal agencies.
- Oversee harvest scheduling and contractor coordination to meet production targets.
- Monitor market conditions, timber pricing, and supply trends to support strategic planning and budgeting.
Leadership & Team Management
- Supervise and support the Forestry Team, including Compliance and Log Quality, ensuring effective performance, development, and alignment with department goals.
- Provide technical guidance on forestry practices, compliance expectations, and log quality standards.
- Conduct team meetings, field training, and coaching to ensure consistency, safety, and efficiency.
Log Quality & Scaling Oversight
- Ensure proper measurement, classification, and quality assessment of logs entering the facility.
- Enforce log quality standards and maintain accurate log accounting.
- Collaborate with mill operations to understand fiber requirements and resolve log quality issues.
- Review quality trends and implement corrective actions where needed.
Compliance & Environmental Stewardship
- Oversee Compliance Forester’s work to ensure all harvesting operations meet regulatory, contractual, log quality, and environmental standards.
- Ensure adherence to BMPs, state and federal forestry regulations, and sustainability commitments.
- Audit field operations and contractor compliance; support certification programs as applicable.
Planning, Reporting & Coordination
- Prepare and manage operating budgets related to procurement, contracting, and field operations.
- Track procurement volumes, delivered log costs, scaling data, and contractor performance.
- Contribute to long-term supply planning and outreach strategies.
- Collaborate closely with mill leadership, transportation/logistics, and sales teams to maintain operational alignment.
Safety
- Demonstrate, Promote and Enforce safety practices.
- Conduct onsite safety visits with contractors and support training as needed.
Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Forestry, Natural Resources, or related field (or equivalent experience). Master’s degree in Forestry is preferred.
- 10+ years of forestry and/or timber procurement experience (procurement of USFS timber preferred); 3+ years of leadership experience.
- Strong knowledge of timber harvesting operations, silviculture, log scaling, and USFS regulations.
- Experience negotiating contracts and managing supplier relationships.
- Ability to interpret and enforce USFS and other Agency contracts, environmental regulations, and BMPs.
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills.
- Strong analytical, planning, and organizational abilities.
- Proficiency with forestry software, GIS tools, Microsoft Office, and data management systems.
- Valid driver’s license; willingness to travel regularly to field sites.
Work Environment
- Office responsibilities mixed with some Field-based work in variable terrain and weather conditions.
- Regular visits to logging operations, log yard, sawmill. PPE required as applicable.
The preceding covers the primary duties and responsibilities of the position. It should not be construed as a complete listing of all miscellaneous, incidental, or similar duties that may be needed from day-to-day.
I have read, understand, and agree to follow the above requirements for this position. I understand and agree to abide by all policies, guidelines, and training needed. Employment is conditioned upon my successful completion of background check, MVR (if required), DOT compliance (if required), and drug testing. I understand satisfactory performance will be evaluated for continued employment.