Operations Forester I
The Operations Forester I is an entry-level, field-oriented role focused on forest operations including harvest planning, road and landing design, and GIS mapping. The position requires independent decision-making in complex forestry tasks, adherence to regulatory standards, and collaboration with operations and engineering teams to support sustainable forest management.
About Careertakes
👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, Engineering.
Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.
Role Overview
Confidential Client is seeking an entry-level Operations Forester I to support forest operations and on-the-ground project work in and around Veneta, OR. This is a field-focused role with some office responsibilities for project planning and GIS mapping. The ideal candidate is safety-minded, capable on steep terrain, and eager to learn practical forestry operations, harvest planning, and road layout.
Key Responsibilities
- Independently perform forestry field work and support harvest planning and unit identification
- Lay out harvest unit boundaries, establish RMAs, and designate leave trees consistent with logging systems and Oregon regulations
- Assist with basic engineering field tasks: locate, design, and stake forest roads and landings
- Prepare road design packets and perform GIS mapping of roads and logging units
- Use software tools such as RoadEng, AutoCAD, Excel and Access for mapping and basic design
- Assist with state permit application preparation for harvest and road construction projects
- Search for and flag property corners; assist with survey and construction staking as needed
- Perform operation crew duties and support other Operations Foresters and Forest Engineers
- Assist with brush cutting and chainsaw work; participate in forest fire suppression and other forest-related activities
- Communicate technical decisions clearly to supervisors and document field findings
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Forestry or Natural Resources with at least 6 months of related forestry field experience, OR a minimum of 2 years of forestry field experience
- Fundamental knowledge of logging systems and forest road construction practices
- Working knowledge of the Oregon Forest Practices Act and the Private Forest Accord
- Comfortable and physically capable of productive work on steep, adverse terrain in all weather conditions
- Safety-first mindset and adherence to safe work practices
- Highly organized, self-motivated, and able to work independently as well as part of a team
Preferred / Helpful Skills
- Experience with RoadEng and AutoCAD
- GIS mapping experience
- Basic surveying or staking experience
- Chainsaw certification or demonstrated safe chainsaw use
- Prior exposure to permit application processes for forestry and road projects
Tools & Technology
- RoadEng
- AutoCAD
- Microsoft Excel / Access
- GPS and basic survey equipment
- Standard field tools (hand tools, chainsaw, flagging)
Work Conditions & Physical Requirements
- Field-intensive role with regular time in remote or rugged forest settings
- Frequent physical activity: hiking, lifting, and working on slopes
- Required to follow all site safety procedures and use PPE
- Valid driver’s license and ability to travel within the region for field assignments
Compensation & Location
- Location: Veneta, OR (on-site / field-based)
- Employment type: Full-time, permanent
- Estimated pay (from source data): $77,183 per year (estimated)
Why Work Through Careertakes
- Careertakes connects you to Confidential Client while providing ongoing support through the application process
- Access to additional matched opportunities on the Careertakes platform
- Opportunity to build practical forestry, road-engineering, and GIS skills with on-the-job mentorship
Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency
Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.
If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.
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