Biocultural Forester

About Forest Solutions:

Forest Solutions Inc. (FSI) has been the leading forestry company in Hawaiʻi for the past 25 years. We specialize in diverse variety of forest management needs from native forest silviculture, invasive weed management, timber plantations establishment and maintenance, forest inventory, long-term wood supply modeling, third-party log scaling, tradititional agroforestry establishment, forest planning and permitting, and community engagement.  We are a team-oriented company with foresters and natural resource specialists that each contribute experience and insight into resource management challenges in Hawaiʻi in a collaborative work environment.

Our work is always practical, based on best available science, informed by field observations and experience, and connected to Hawai‘i’s biocultural heritage. We have 3 field crews undertaking a variety of forest management work across thousands of acres of native forests. Our senior professional staff have been with us for over 10 years.

As a part of our diverse team, you can have a role in shaping the future of large-scale forest management in Hawaiʻi!  For example, in support of our client’s projects, FSI planted over 1,000,000 native plants across 3,500 acres, including the largest native forest restoration project in the state.

If you value Hawai‘i’s natural and cultural resources, enjoy working in the rugged outdoors in beautiful locations, and want to engage in worthwhile conservation work - this position is for you!

About the Job:

We are seeking a biocultural restoration forester to help be a part of our native forest management, and community supported reforestation and traditional agroforestry projects, primarily located in the Kona region. This is a mid-level position that reports to a Senior Forester. The position will focus on supporting and developing biocultural practice considerations for FSI projects, work with communities to support restoration of significant natural and cultural sites, as well as coordinating field operations, supervising crews, monitoring and reporting on project success, and remote data collection. Experience in these areas and collaborative work with non-profit organizations is desirable.

The work location is generally within 30 minutes to 1 hours off-road in the Kohala and Kona regions, Hawaiʻi Island. However, the day to day locations can change as our client mix and project priorities change. We have projects throughout Hawaiʻi Island and help each other out when needed.

The position involves extended off-road driving in remote locations, sometimes alone or supervising work crews, recording their progress and quality of work. Considerable cross-country hiking/traversing is regularly needed, sometimes as far as 6 miles. Respectful community engagement and dialogue will be required. Practical implication of Hawaiian cultural protocols are expected to be incorporated into projects and shared with co-workers, staff, volunteers, and others, whenever appropriate. Some of the work is in thick forests, in the rain, sometimes both.

Time in the office/in town is limited, likely less than 1 day per week, related to ordering and procurement of supplies, organizing community events, downloading and cleaning up GPS and drone information, filing of equipment maintenance records and brief progress report preparation. You will also regularly interact with other land management professionals and community leaders in writing or telephone to request access and report on field conditions.

Work is project-based and highly responsive to client needs and timelines. Flexibility, a sense of purpose, and self-motivation are essential, in addition to technical skills. As a biocultural forester, you will be working with and under the supervision of a Senior Forester.

This is a full time, year-round position with supervisory responsibilities. The position is expected to be 80 % or more outdoor work and 20% or less office time.

Emergency response time is important; you need to be willing to live in the West Hawai‘i area of Hawaiʻi Island.

Candidate Selection Criteria:

The successful candidate will have bachelor’s degree in forestry, forest ecology, natural resource management, botany, Hawaiian studies, or closely related field; or 4 years of
equivalent field experience with some formal training; plus two years of progressively responsible experience in natural resource management.

Essential Qualifications:

• Willingness and ability to work alone or in small teams in remote locations, with little or no mobile phone coverage
• Able to work with community groups and a diverse group of people in a respectful manner
• Physically able to walk long distances in rugged terrain, over sharp lava fields or in thick forests for a full workday collecting field data in all weather.
• Ability to lift 50 lbs.
• Experience operating small powered tools safely such as weed eaters, chain saw
• Experience in the use of a computer and Microsoft Office suite, knowledge of ESRI ArcGIS software, able to upload/download GPS data
• Willing to mix and apply pesticides and chemical fertilizers in strict accordance with label requirements
• Able to drive 4WD, manual transmission vehicles on rough roads, valid US driver’s license at the time of hire
• Able to legally work in the United States at the time of hire

Desirable Qualifications:

• Knowledge of the ecology of native Hawaiian flora and fauna
• Experience and knowledge in Hawai‘i lifeways and biocultural practices
• Experience with field equipment – light machinery suchs as weed whackers, chainsaws, etc.
• Supervisory experience, including non-work settings as a team leader
• Speak or understand languages other than English, including ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i

Compensation & Benefits:

Compensation based on experience, with competitive wages; vehicle allowance with stipend provided for off-road work; 401K retirement plan; healthcare including general, dental, and vision; and PTO policy plus holiday pay.

If interested, please submit:

• Cover letter highlighting abilities relevant to this position
• Résumé or CV
• List of at least 3 references we can contact

Electronically to:  forester2021@forestsolutionsinc.com