This is the journey level of the series. Positions at this level perform professional natural resource management and/or protection duties.

Incumbents work independently within their area of responsibility. Incumbents prioritize their work and have a working knowledge of program needs and latitude to perform work tasks and resolve work problems within a standard spectrum of outcomes and options. Unusual problems that occur are brought to higher levels with probable outcomes and solutions. 

Serves as a project lead on timber sales and silvicultural activities; recommends changes to project layout and design; resolve conflicts with initial field data review, unit layout, boundaries, water type modifications, legacy requirements, prescriptions, harvest systems, contract compliance, road maintenance, road construction, extra volume, and final inspections; resolves disputes involving internal and external stakeholders regarding management activities;

Recommends timber sales, reforestation and silvicultural activities for inclusion in district plans; schedules planned and assigned activities, writes site-specific silviculture prescriptions; 

Gathers and provides information and meets with other agencies, interest groups, industry and individuals concerning agency programs and activities; 

Performs and supervises enforcement of program specific laws, rules and regulations;

Evaluates state-owned lands to establish best and most profitable use and to initiate development actions; 

Analyzes and determines leasing and marketing structures and environmental and legislative requirements; 

Negotiates and administers agricultural and special use leases; drafts contracts for the lease of state-owned land; develops resource management plans; monitors lease and resource management plan compliance; audits accounts to ensure accurate payments;

Plans for recreation use on state-owned lands; identifies, writes, acquires, and manages grants; manages maintenance and operation of public use infrastructure; responds to public use issues;

Meets with landowners to assess site for forest health and fire risk; processes cost share applications; develops and monitors implementation of fuel reduction plans;

Serves as a staff assistant performing a variety of professional projects and tasks within assigned specialized forestry programs or as a staff assistant performing a variety of professional projects or tasks within an assigned land management program; 

Positions may supervise lower level staff;

Performs other duties as required.

There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position. 

A Bachelor’s degree involving major study in forestry, agriculture, aquaculture, geology, recreation, or related natural science and one year of professional experience in a related natural resource specialty area. 

Note: Equivalent education/experience.

New class, effective January 1, 2006; Natural Resource Specialist 2 (replaces 17040 Land Manager 2, 95230 Forester 2).
New class code (formerly 523J), effective July 1, 2007.
Revised definition, typical work and desirable qualifications; added Distinguishing Characteristics; adopted June 13, 2019, effective July 1, 2019.