Forestry Service Specialist Senior (Internal Opportunity Only)

The salary indicated above includes longevity (1% earned after five years and increases to a maximum of 4% after 20 years). Additionally, a 3.8% cost-of-living increase has been approved for 2027.

Under the general direction of the Forestry Service Specialist Supervisor, the Forestry Services Specialist Senior operates specialized heavy equipment and performs maintenance and repair work to support the effective operation of City-owned forest lands. This position assists with forestry operations, including road construction, plantation maintenance, water-quality protection, and biosolids operations.

• Performs general and technical forestry tasks independently and in coordination with other employees.
• Assists the Forestry Supervisor with maintaining the City's 8,000-acre watershed (tree farm), conducting timber harvests, generating timber revenue, and completing technical forestry projects.

• Forestry Projects include timber-harvest (logging) field layout in compliance with Forest Practices Act (FPA) regulations; traversing section lines, property lines, and timber polygons; reforestation and plantation maintenance; timber-inventory data collection; construction projects; contract-compliance monitoring; dangerous-tree removal; and implementation of the Wildfire Management Guidelines Plan (WMGP).
• Operates specialized heavy equipment, vehicles, power tools, and hand tools to support road and trail work, timber-harvest layout, reforestation, brush control, pruning, plantation maintenance, biosolids operations, and fire suppression; applies herbicides to plantations and roadsides.
• Heavy equipment may include graders, excavators, roadside brushers, backhoes, dump trucks, biosolids application trucks, loaders, dozers, compactors, fire brush engines, fire-suppression equipment, chippers, and Scat Trak equipment.
• Protects water quality in the Union River Basin by monitoring sensitive areas for erosion and assessing road and bridge surfaces; removing storm debris to maintain unobstructed water flow through ditches and culverts; and ensuring that required best management practices are in place and followed throughout the year.
• Implements construction and maintenance projects for more than 60 miles of forest roads, approximately 25 miles of biosolids trails, and biosolids application areas. 
• Maintenance projects includes road and trail layout; cutting trails; installing culverts; resurfacing and grading; pulling ditches; applying rock; constructing or maintaining ramps and ponds; controlling erosion and brush; spraying roadsides and invasive species; and laying out and constructing roads in new application areas.
• Assists with managing the Forest Enhancement Program (FIP) to maintain full utilization of biosolids on City application lands and completes monthly biosolids-application records by area.
• Operates and maintains the biosolids applicator truck, including completing pre-operation checks, greasing fans and belts, and checking for debris to prevent equipment failure. 
• Troubleshoots equipment breakdowns, schedules repairs, and transports equipment to the Oyster Bay facility.
• Assists the Bremerton Police Department (BPD) with watershed security. Manages and monitors game cameras; documents and reports trespassing; documents and mitigates illegal trails; and investigates and reports suspicious activity to the appropriate authorities.
• Maintains the wildlife program to reduce damage to timber stands and plantations. Monitors and reports beaver activity and bear damage; coordinates annual bear-food delivery; prepares and locates feeding stations; monitors bear activity; stocks feeding stations once or twice each week based on activity; and documents bear station use to support possible relocation.
• Supports fire suppression under the direction of the supervisor, manager, Bremerton Fire Department, or Washington State Department of Natural Resources. 
• Responsibilities include fire reporting and response, operating dozers and water trucks, constructing access roads and fire lines for containment, and performing fire watch.
• Completes other forestry-related projects, including clearing property for utility pump sites, providing educational presentations to school groups and others, and coordinating and assisting with the annual Fishing Day with the Pogeys.
• Trains employees in the safe operation of equipment.
• Collaborates with the local Native Tribes in support of the fish-rearing program.
• Maintains regular attendance and performs related work as assigned and/or required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Applicable City policies and procedures.
• Washington State Forest Practices Act requirements and applicable federal, state, and local biosolids regulations.
• Forestry practices, including plantation maintenance, traversing and Global Positioning System (GPS) use, timber-sale layout, and reforestation.
• Fire-suppression reporting, response, and fire-line construction.
• Herbicides and calibration of application rates.
• Drainage and erosion-control practices.
• Stream-crossing structures, road-building materials, and road-maintenance and construction practices.
• Personal protective equipment and safe work practices.
• Appropriate timing, locations, and methods for applying biosolids.

Skill in:

• Operating heavy equipment, vehicles, and power and hand tools efficiently and safely, including the equipment used for forestry, biosolids, road, and fire-suppression operations.
• Interpreting and applying maps, aerial photographs, and technical information to field operations.
• Performing mathematical calculations used in forestry applications and biosolids data analysis.
• Using Microsoft Word, Excel, Teams, ArcView geographic information system (GIS) software, mapping software, data-management applications, and other programs used in forestry operations and maintenance.
• Using and coordinating flagging and spray-paint markings associated with streams, timber-harvest boundaries, roads, forest-practice activities, and related tasks.

Ability to:

• Communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain positive, productive working relationships with internal and external customers and employees.
• Work independently and cooperatively with others.

• Must be at least 18 years of age. 
  • High School diploma or General Educational Development (GED) certificate.
  • Two years of experience in a forestry environment or closely related field, public works, streets, utilities, parks, or construction involving heavy-equipment operation.
  • Must possess a valid driver's license 
  • This position is assigned 24-hour on-call coverage and must be able to respond within 30 minutes of a call-out.

An equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered. Equivalencies do not apply where a license or certification is required by law.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

The following licenses, certifications, and specialized training may be required for this position. Possession at the time of hire is preferred. If not held at the time of hire, the credential must be obtained within one (1) year, no later than 18 months, of the hire date unless an earlier alternative date is established by the City. Failure to obtain and maintain required credentials may result in termination.  

• Valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL), Class A Combination, with tanker endorsement.
• Valid WA Driver’s License (if not possessed at time of hire, must be obtained within 30days)
• Washington State Department of Natural Resources Equipment Operator Training.
• Valid Washington State Department of Agriculture pesticide license.
• Flagger certification.
• First Aid certification.
• Confined-space entry certification.
• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) / First Aid certification.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Work requires climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing for sustained periods, walking between work areas, pushing, pulling, lifting, finger manipulation, grasping, tactile perception, speaking, hearing, and repetitive wrist, hand, and finger movements. This position performs very heavy work, including exerting more than 100 pounds of force occasionally, more than 50 pounds frequently, and more than 20 pounds continuously to move objects. Visual acuity is required to operate machinery and power tools and to perform mechanical and skilled-trade tasks at or within arm's reach.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is performed outdoors without effective protection from weather. The employee is exposed to hazards that may include moving mechanical parts and vehicles, electrical current, scaffolding and elevated work areas, high heat, and chemicals. The employee participates in assigned 24-hour on-call coverage and must be able to respond within 30 minutes of a call-out.

THIS IS A PROMOTIONAL RECRUITMENT. ONLY CURRENT CITY OF BREMERTON EMPLOYEES ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY.

Applicants must apply on-line at https://www.BremertonWA.gov/169/Current-Jobs.

Required Application Materials: 

A completed City application and personal résumé are required. Incomplete applications packets will not be considered. Required application materials must be submitted online by 5:00 p.m. on the closing date. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure their application materials reflect the minimum qualifying experience, knowledge, skills and abilities as listed on the job posting.

Important Application Note: Please do not attach copies of certifications or transcripts to your application unless they are listed as a requirement for the position.

Application process after submittal - What to expect:

Initial screening – Once the position closes, the HR Department will review and evaluate your application materials to determine whether your materials reflect and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience required to meet the minimum qualifications.

Invitation to Interview – After initial screening and additional review by the hiring department, if it is determined that you exceed the minimum qualifications, you may be contacted and invited to interview with a hiring panel.

References – After the interview, if it is determined that you are the most qualified candidate for the position, references will be sent electronically to the individuals listed on your application.

Pre-employment Requirements – If/when applying for safety-sensitive positions, pre-employment physicals and/or drug testing may be required prior to any final offer of employment.

NOTE TO APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES:  If you require an accommodation at any point during the application process, please contact Human Resources at (360) 473-5348 or humanresources@ci.bremerton.wa.us