Forest Protection Officer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

SUMMARY  

The Director of Forest Management is responsible for overseeing all aspects of forest stewardship and sustainable resources management on Tribal Lands. This leadership role ensures that forest operations align with the Tribe’s cultural values, environmental goals, and economic priorities. The Director develops and implements forest management plans, supervises staff, coordinates with intergovernmental and agency partners, and promotes the protection and enhancement of forest ecosystems for present and future generations. 

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develops and implements forestry policies, Tribal codes, and regulations in alignment with the goals of the Tribal Council and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). 
• Prepares and maintains comprehensive Forest Management and Operations Plans that reflect the Tribe’s cultural values, economic priorities, and environmental stewardship.
• Tracks developments in forest policy, legislation, and funding opportunities; advises leadership on implications to Tribal interests and advocates for policies aligned with Tribal sovereignty and goals.
• Develops and manages the annual Forestry Program budget, ensuring effective use of Tribal resources and alignment with program priorities.
• Conducts revenue forecasting, oversees the distribution of timber revenues, and analyzes long-term economic trends.
• Oversees a Tribal Forestry Enterprise to market and manage timber sales and forest products in compliance with ITAMP/ITARA. 
• Identifies, applies for, and administers grants and alternative funding sources; ensures compliance with financial and grant reporting requirements. 
• Directs all aspects of forest operations including harvest planning, silviculture, restoration, and fire management in accordance with applicable Tribal, federal, and state laws (e.g. ITARA TFPA, ISDEAA, NHPA).
• Coordinates research and data collection on Tribal and adjacent forestlands to support data-driven, culturally relevant forest practices. 
• Ensures compliance with forest-related environmental, cultural, and legal standards; maintains accurate records and documentation.
• Leads efforts in fee forestland acquisition and opportunities to co-manage ancestral lands through authorities such as the Tribal Forest Protection Act (TFPA), Good Neighbor Authority (GNA), and ISDEAA contracts.
• Establishes collaborative partnerships and negotiates draft agreements (MOUs, MOAs, rights-of-way) with agencies, institutions, nonprofits, and private landowners to support Tribal Forest stewardship efforts, ensuring alignment with and approval from the CEO and Tribal Council.
• Conducts education and outreach to Tribal members and the public to promote the Tribe’s Forest management philosophy and accomplishments.
• Coordinates and synthesizes input from stakeholder, technical, and advisory committees; presents recommendations to the CEO and Tribal Council. 
• Represents the Tribe in regional and national forums, advisory committees, and intergovernmental partnerships to advocate for Tribal forestry interests and build strategic alliances. 
• Supervises all forestry staff, fostering a supportive work environment that emphasizes workforce development, training, and career growth.
• Ensures staff are equipped with adequate resources, maintains accurate records, and adheres to professional and operational standards. 
• Other responsibilities as assigned by management. 

LEVEL OF AUTHORITY & RESTRICTIONS:

• Directly supervises all Forestry Program staff including but not limited to assigning work and reviewing the performance of such employees.
• Directs the administration of the Forestry Program, evaluates the success of the program relative to the goals of Tribal Council, and acts to continually improve the Program.  

PHYSICAL & MENTAL DEMANDS:

• Requires the ability to manage moderate levels of stress arising from schedules, workload, diverse or adversarial stakeholders, etc. 
• Must be able to walk, talk, hear, use hands to handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls, and reach with hands and arms.
• Must be required to push, pull, lift, and/or carry up to 50 pounds.
• Requires the physical ability to stand, sit crouch, stoop, bend knees and rest on knees or walk frequently, to use both hands for dexterity and grasping, ability to traverse steep slopes and difficult ground conditions for extended periods of time, to drive vehicles with either standard or automatic transmissions for up to 6 hours or more per day.  
• Requires the physical ability to work outdoors in all temperatures and weather conditions.
• Requires the physical ability to work around loud and constant noise continuously, to tolerate required personal protective equipment such as safety/fire boots, work gloves, safety glasses, ear protection, safety vests, face shields and hard hats.
• May require the ability to walk, hike, and, drive in difficult conditions at various hours and days of the week.

WORKING CONDITIONS & ENVIRONMENT:

• The noise level in the office environment is usually moderately quiet.
• Exposure to loud sounds and distracting noise levels.
• Must be willing and able to travel both locally and within the CTCLUSI service area. 
• Field work may occur in remote locations under extreme weather conditions and challenging environments, including exposure to noise, reduced air quality (e.g. smoke, dust, chemicals, herbicides), and potential encounters with wildlife and insects.
• Work may be conducted in close proximity to heavy machinery such as bulldozers, excavators, yarders, and log loaders.
• Position may require extended or irregular hours to accommodate fieldwork demands, project deadlines, or attendance at events, meetings, trainings, workshops, and conferences. 

MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be at least 25 years of age or older per CTCLUSI vehicle use policy. 
• Must have a valid driver’s license and be able to be insured to drive Tribal Government vehicles. 
• Bachelor’s Degree in Forestry or closely related field. 
• Five (5) years of experience in forest management, including supervisory experience. 
• Knowledge of forest ecosystems in the Pacific Northwest (or applicable region), including fire ecology, silviculture, and native species management. 
• Experience working with Tribal governments or indigenous communities, and the concepts of Tribal sovereignty and federal trust responsibility.
• Demonstrated ability to lead interdisciplinary teams, develop budgets, and manage complex projects.
• Must be able to effectively communicate with people having various levels of understanding of forestry, pure and applied sciences, and environmental and cultural resources protection laws. 
• Must be able to interact with Tribal Council, Tribal members, Tribal staff, colleagues, and the public in a courteous, professional, and efficient manner.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in English, verbally, in writing or by other acceptable means.
• This position will be subject to pre-employment drug testing and criminal history background check, which will include fingerprinting. 
• Must have employment eligibility in the U.S. 
• Indian preference will be observed in the hiring process.