Forest Engineer

JOB DESCRIPTION

Title: Forest Engineer 

Full-Time or Part-time: Full-time, Term Limited 

Department: Conservation

Reports To: Forest Management Manager 

Employment Category: Salary/Exempt

Location: Coeur d’Alene, ID

JOB SUMMARY

The primary objective for the Forest Engineer (Engineer) is to help deliver the NWTF’s conservation mission through the programmatic delivery of all elements related to the National Master Stewardship Agreement that was signed 2023. Specifically, the work of the Engineer should result in both maintenance and expansion of conservation delivery. This position serves as an engineering specialist responsible for transportation planning, road and aquatic improvement design, contract administration, survey work, and restoration project support associated with federal forest active forest management projects. The Engineer serves in a capacity to deliver partnership-related deliverables identified in the specific grant/agreement and serves in a temporary or term-limited capacity determined by project funding and performance viability. The Forest Engineer will report to the Forest Management Manager and work in cooperation and coordination, when needed, with the NWTF District Biologist(s) to help deliver the conservation mission.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provide Engineering expertise in developing transportation plans for forest management projects.
•  Assist specialists and engineering staff with harvest planning and harvest unit delineation, road location, rock source development plans and cost analysis of alternatives.
•  Assess transportation networks for maintenance needs, plan, layout and design, and assist with design of temporary roads, road improvements, and aquatic restoration projects.
•  Assist with fish passage improvement projects, aquatic organism passage restoration, and related habitat enhancement efforts.
•  Perform engineering surveys and assist with site design using AutoCAD, GPS, total stations, and other engineering tools.
•  Support contract preparation, construction compliance, and administration for engineering and restoration-related projects. • Coordinate with U.S. Forest Service engineering staff, contractors, and stakeholders regarding project implementation.
•  Attends annual NWTF Convention, state & regional meetings, and training as necessary, and as approved by supervisor.
•  Provides relevant information to Field Operations, Development, state volunteers and NWTF Communications Department for promotion, marketing and awareness of state and district priorities and activities. Contributes to Turkey Call magazine / Turkey Call television, NWTF state newsletters, websites, podcasts, etc. as requested.
•  Performs other related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

•  Position requires Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Forest Engineering, or a related field and a minimum of four (4) years of professional experience, and/or a Master’s degree with two (2) years of professional experience or equivalent in a natural resources field.
• Experience with construction compliance, road reconstruction, or transportation planning preferred.
• Experience in performing engineering site surveys and compiling engineering designs preferred.
• Knowledge of Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) bridge design methodology preferred.
• Working knowledge of transportation planning, forest engineering, road layout, aquatic improvement projects and restoration project implementation.
• Knowledge of federal environmental planning requirements including NEPA processes.
• Experience with engineering survey equipment including total stations, GPS units, laser rangefinders, and topographic mapping tools.
• Experience using AutoCAD or related engineering design software.
• Work independently without close supervision and ability to determine work priorities daily, weekly and monthly to maximize time efficiency is required.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and engineering projects simultaneously.
• Basic computer skills such as e-mail, Word, Excel, Microsoft Office, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to navigate in remote and rural areas and communicate with agency personnel and contractors and contracted laborers in the field.
• Demonstrated leadership skills, excellent organizational skills, and work well as a team member.
• Must be willing to incur moderate travel including overnight stays up to 5 nights or more.

PHYSICAL QUALIFICATIONS

•  Must be able and willing to work, often alone, in a diverse range of climatic and topographic conditions including extreme hot and cold temperatures, rain, snow, sleet, ice, biting insects, snakes, mountainous terrain, swamps, very remote areas with limited access and amenities and other extreme conditions as warranted.
• Must be able to walk several miles per day in the conditions described above.
• Must be able to drive and/or ride long distances frequently. May be required to ride in fixed wing or rotary wing aircraft or watercraft.
• Ability to lift and carry a minimum of 20lbs.

REMOTE OR TELECOM STATUS

•  Position is required to report to assigned work location, may be permitted to work remotely on a limited basis.

Posting Closing Date: August 28, 2026