Tacoma Water Forester

Position Description

Tacoma Water is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Forester to join our team. Reporting to the Environmental Stewardship Manager, this key position is responsible for the design, planning, and management of forest vegetation and watershed road projects on Tacoma Water lands and rights-of-way. The ideal candidate will be a proactive leader with a deep understanding of forest and road management principles, a commitment to environmental stewardship, and the ability to manage complex projects from conception to completion.

This role is critical to protecting water quality, improving forest health, maintaining our transportation network, and ensuring compliance with utility objectives and regulatory requirements.

This position is located at our Green River Operations Center in the upper Green River Municipal Watershed near Ravensdale, WA, and is anticipated to be on-site full time. The uninhabited 231 square mile watershed extends from the crest of the Cascade Mountains to the Headworks Diversion Dam located at river mile 61 on the Green River at an elevation of about 900 feet.

Key Responsibilities

• Forest Management
  
  • Design and Direct Forest Operations: Oversee all aspects of forest management on over 16,000 acres, primarily within the Green River Watershed. This includes adhering to regulatory frameworks like the Tacoma Water Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) and the Green River Forest Management Plan.
    
  • Timber and Habitat Management: Plan and manage timber harvest projects to meet habitat and revenue goals, including timber valuations, remote and on-site sensitive area screening, and contract development.
    
  • Forest Health and Resiliency: Assess and implement cost-effective solutions for forest health interventions, including protection from insects, disease, and fire. Plan and oversee reforestation efforts, including planting and brush control contracts.
    
  • Contract and Project Oversight: Initiate and manage bid processes for road construction and timber harvests, ensuring contract compliance and taking corrective action as needed.
    
• Forest Roads
  
  • Transportation System Management: Design, direct, and oversee the maintenance and capital improvement programs for the forest road network, ensuring all roads are safe, functional, and compliant with Forest Practices Regulatory Standards.
    
  • Road Maintenance and Construction: Oversee all road-related activities, including construction, re-construction, abandonment, inspections, and maintenance. Develop and maintain a long-term maintenance schedule.
    
  • Coordination with Stakeholders: Collaborate with internal and external partners, including other landowners and regulatory agencies, to coordinate road projects and ensure timely and cost-effective completion.
    
• Wildlife and Habitat Management
  
  • Restoration Projects: Design and oversee wildlife restoration and mitigation projects related to Tacoma Water activities, including habitat and wetland designs.
    
  • Compliance and Monitoring: Conduct studies and implement monitoring to meet research and reporting requirements for the Tacoma Water HCP and other plans.
    
  • Adjacent Property Interactions: Respond to and address concerns from adjacent property owners regarding vegetation management, danger trees, and other issues along Tacoma Water's rights-of-way.
    

Qualifications

Minimum Education*
Bachelor's degree in biology, environmental science, forestry, resource management, archeology or other scientific field related to assignment

Minimum Experience*
5 years of professional level experience in environmental programs including 1 year prior at senior, lead and/or supervisory level

*Equivalency: 1 year of experience = 1 year of education

Licensing, Certifications and Other Requirements
First Aid and CPR certification within the first 6 months of employment
Washington State Driver's License
ISA Certified Arborist desired
Pesticide Applicators License desired

Selection Process & Supplemental Information

City of Tacoma Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

At the City of Tacoma, we're on a mission to make our workforce as diverse and inclusive as the community we serve. We're committed to eliminating racial and other disparities, and we actively seek out candidates from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. Join our team at the City of Tacoma and help us build a more vibrant, inclusive, and equitable community for all.

The City of Tacoma believes that diversity of thought, background, and experience contributes to our success and innovation. If you’re passionate about this role and our mission, we encourage you to apply. If you have a less traditional background, we want to hear about your transferrable skills and experience. We value a variety of perspectives and are excited to see what you bring to the table.
Apply

Interested individuals should apply online by completing the application and attaching a resume and cover letter by the closing date and time listed on the job announcement. Applications received without attaching the required materials may not progress in the selection process.
Compensation & Benefits
Pay Details:
Hourly Rate: $53.02 - $74.64
Annual Salary: $110,281.60 - $155,251.20

Employee Benefits | City of Tacoma

Get Assistance

For assistance with the application process or questions regarding this job announcement please contact the Human Resources office at (253) 591-5400 by 4:00 p.m. of the closing date of the job announcement.

For technical difficulties using the NEOGOV system, call the applicant support line at 1-855-524-5627 between 6:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. This will allow us to assist you before the job announcement closes.

Communication with the City of Tacoma

We primarily communicate via email during the application process. Emails from Tacoma.gov and/or governmentjobs.com should be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk email folders.

The City of Tacoma provides excellent medical, dental and vision plans for the whole family; paid holidays and paid leave; participation in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System (alternate plan for Police/Fire); continuing education and advancement opportunities and a growing variety of City-sponsored health and wellness opportunities and incentives.

Medical Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 or younger.

Dental Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 or younger.

Vision Coverage: For eligible employees and their eligible dependents.

Paid Leave: City employees are entitled to received paid holidays, sick/vacation leave or personal time off (PTO), depending upon union affiliation and appointment type.

Insurance Plans: Employees are covered by a long-term disability plan. Short-term and expanded long-term disability insurance plans are also available to employees. The State Industrial Insurance Act also covers employees.

Deferred Compensation: Income can be set aside on a pretax basis and invested for supplementation of normal retirement income.

Retirement: All employees of the City, except members of the Police and Fire services, Tacoma Rail and certain project employees, are included in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System. Information on the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System can be found at www.cityoftacoma.org or by calling (253) 502-8200.

Other Employment Information

Direct Deposit: Employees are paid on a bi-weekly schedule by direct deposit.

Salary Increases: Based on satisfactory job performance, the City provides for a regular progression of salary increases for most classifications according to the salary schedule.

Union Affiliation: Many job classifications are covered by union security provisions which require union membership, dues, or payment of equivalent service fees.

Note: The provisions of this job announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.

Closing Date/Time: 10/15/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

• 

• City of Tacoma

• 253-591-5400

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