Forest Manager (Forestry, Logging & Mill Operations)

The Redwood Forest Foundation, Inc. (RFFI) announces the recruitment of one or two Registered Professional Foresters (RPF) to assist this not-for-profit organization in managing its 50,000-acre Usal Redwood Forest. The new position(s) will report directly to the RFFI President/CEO.

RFFI Background

The Redwood Forest Foundation, Inc. (RFFI) is a private 501(c)(3) non-profit organization currently located in Fort Bragg, CA. RFFI’s mission is to acquire, protect, restore and manage forestlands and other related resources in the Redwood Region for the long-term benefit of the communities located there. Our vision is to establish community-based forests that provide both critical habitat for increased biodiversity and improved regional economic vitality.

Since 2007, RFFI has owned and managed the 49,636 acre Usal Redwood Forest, which is located in the Coastal Redwood Region of Mendocino County, California. This 78 sq. mi. property includes portions of two important watersheds: the majority of the Usal Creek drainage and significant tributaries of the South Fork of the Eel River.

The area was once a thriving ancient redwood and Douglas fir forest. Within its borders are more than eighteen creeks and tributaries, many of them historically important and currently crucial spawning and rearing habitat for federally listed salmon and steelhead. The forest also contains twenty activity sites of the threatened Northern Spotted Owl.

Commercially logged for its valuable redwood resources from the early 1900’s up to the 1980s, the Usal Forest is now dominated by second-growth Douglas fir, redwood and tan oak.

The RFFI Board of Directors is seeking one or two qualified Registered Professional Forester (RPF) with the goal of building an in-house forest management team that will ensure that both RFFI’s public-benefit mission and financial obligations are met.

A successful candidate is expected to interact with a wide array of community stakeholders, including logging contractors, log buyers, resource agency regulators, local tribes and member of the local community. He or she will serve as a liaison between the President/CEO, the Board of Directors and RFFI’s contractors to insure that the management direction of the Usal Forest is consistent with the Board’s directions and intent.

The Position(s)

Minimum Experience: 5-7 Years

The primary responsibilities of the RFFI Registered Professional Forester(s) include:

• Working directly with RFFI’s forest management company to maximize productive, efficient and cost-effective management of the Usal Forest
• Administration, development and review of current Timber Harvest Plans (THP), future THPs, restoration projects, and all other operational aspects of forest management
• Assisting the RFFI Board of Directors and staff with articulating the future desired condition of the Usal Forest and with taking a more active role in its management
• Assisting the RFFI Board of Directors in planning related to long-term growth and yield modeling, and cash flow modeling required to comply with RFFI’s debt obligations
• Providing advice and professional guidance to the RFFI President/CEO on Usal Forest property management decisions

Qualifications

A successful candidate must possess both good oral and written communications skills to interact with a diverse Board of Directors and a wide array of key community stakeholders. The candidate must also be willing to work flexible hours in variable weather conditions. He or she must possess a strong desire to see that the mission and vision of the RFFI Board is implemented through practice and demonstration.

1. Education and Experience
   1. Registered Professional Forester (RPF) in good standing
   2. Minimum five years’ experience with forest management
   3. Demonstrated experience writing THPs for Timber Investment Management Organizations
   4. Demonstrated understanding of forest inventory systems and road construction techniques
   5. Proficiency in commonly used computer programs, e.g., Microsoft Office
   6. Proficiency in commonly used inventory systems, e.g., Forsee, etc.
   7. Experience with growth and yield modeling
   8. Experience with forest management budgeting and accounting
   9. Ability to work both independently and as part of a diverse team
   10. Current California driver’s license and clean driving record
   11. Additional Desirable Qualifications
       1. Residence in the Redwood Region
       2. Experience managing a large forest
       3. Experience working with redwood and Douglas fir forests
       4. Experience with the Usal Forest or similar forest in the region
       5. Experience with FSC certification
       6. Experience with carbon registration projects
       7. Experience working with community and conservation groups
       8. Experience working with a nonprofit