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. 

Persons legally authorized to work in the U.S. under federal law, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, are eligible for employment unless prohibited by other state or federal law.

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.

Revised Legal Requirements; effective June 6, 2024, due to adopted legislative action.