Description

The Forest Technician (FT) performs a variety of forest management and maintenance activities on Duke
Forest, a 7,100-acre teaching and research laboratory with an active timber management program. The
FT is primarily a field-based position that will lead on several management and stewardship programs and
will work closely with the Duke Forest Supervisor and Maintenance & Infrastructure Manager on a daily
basis to support their efforts. A successful FT appreciates how this position contributes to the numerous
roles the Duke Forest plays for a variety of audiences and expresses a sincere commitment to work as part
of a team to accomplish its mission.

Work Performed:

o planning and execution of intermediate treatments, including pre-commercial and commercial
thinnings, while providing support for all aspects of the timber management program,
including cruising, harvest planning, layout and marking, regeneration and survival counts,
harvest administration and monitoring, and harvest clean-up work.
o the invasive plant species management program, including planning and executing
treatments, monitoring, and tracking chemical use.
o the natural heritage area monitoring program and monitoring of other high conservation value
areas (as needed), including planning and executing monitoring visits, completing
documentation, and implementing follow-up activities.
o trail maintenance activities including planning, scheduling, and implementing hazard
monitoring and remediation, trail trimming, water bar maintenance, etc.; provide primary
response to issues identified by Forest Steward volunteers.
Coordinate training and mentorship of summer interns.
Coordinate volunteer workdays in collaboration with Sr. Program Coordinator.
Support maintenance of the Duke Forest’s GIS database, including GPS data collection, producing
spatially explicit management records, and performing basic cartography and spatial analysis tasks.
Assist in prescribed burns, wildfire control, and storm response.
Assist in annual boundary line maintenance.
Assist in the occasional construction, maintenance, and retirement of research installations.
Assist in implementation of the Deer Herd Reduction program.
Assist in implementation of special projects.

Requirements

Required qualifications:

Proficient in identification of common native and invasive plant species in North Carolina
Proficient in forest mensuration
Proficient in GIS using ESRI products, including ArcGIS Pro and Field Maps
Proficient in MS Word, Excel, and Outlook
Demonstrated attention to detail and organizational skills
Demonstrated interpersonal, teamwork, and collaboration skills
Valid NC Driver’s license
Preferred qualifications:
Basic carpentry skills
Basic landscaping skills
Basic equipment operation
Sawyer – class B, or higher, chainsaw certification
Experience with prescribed fire and/or wildland fire response
Experience with timber sale administration and monitoring
Experience with USFS Forest Vegetation Simulator (FVS) or similar forest growth models
Licensed NC Pesticide Applicator, or ability to acquire license within one year
Familiarity with forest certification
The successful applicant will be a self-starter that possesses a rare combination of field and technical
skills. They will be safety conscious, demonstrate a willingness to learn, and be physically fit enough to
work 8-hour days in the field. Applicants must be comfortable working alone or in groups, in diverse
forest types, and in various weather conditions. Some weekend work may be required.