Natural Resource Specialists manage and protect the state’s natural resources. They perform assignments in various natural resource disciplines. They have a direct responsibility for sustainable management of the landscapes and eco-systems, and/or they are responsible for protecting the resources in perpetuity. These positions manage and protect the resources as foresters and land managers as well as other natural resource management specialties.

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

Incumbents work under general supervision and within structured and established guidelines. Work tasks are often routine and decision-making is limited to established guidelines. Work directions and outcomes are provided and reviewed by higher levels.

Recon timber stands for harvest, silvicultural, or site preparation needs using site observations, preliminary cruising, and modeling to ensure harvest unit viability;

Prepares timber sales; locates sale boundaries; analyzes and evaluates habitat locations; classifies stream location/typing; identifies unstable slopes; evaluates transportation system needs; determines harvest system planning requirements; prepares timber sale documents;  

Schedules and monitors silvicultural treatments; examines and appraises the work done by contractors to ensure that financial costs associated with harvest and silvicultural treatments are fully accounted for and treatments are complete and meet the prescription; resolves any issues using agency policies and procedures;

Advises logging contractors regarding timber sales contract provisions; inspects logging operations to enforce contract provisions; 

Inspects, evaluates, and prepares leases of state-owned land; reviews land use license and right of way applications; writes easements and road use permits;

Conducts forest studies of a technical nature

Conducts field inspections and gathers data; completes surveys locating property lines and site conditions; prepares maps and reports describing and analyzing observed conditions such as accessibility, terrain, vegetation, soils, local crops and tilling practices, area developments and use practices;

Researches, analyzes and provides recommendations regarding public use and trail use patterns; develops construction and maintenance projects for trails and recreation sites; assigns and directs the work of WCC crews, volunteers, correction crews, and/or contractors; educates the public on, and enforces, recreation and public access rules;

Administers geoduck clam and sub-tidal hard shell clam sales contracts; conducts inspections of designated geoduck tracks; reports off-tract harvest violations and writes investigative reports;

May lead or 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 a related natural science field

Note: Equivalent education/experience.

New classes, effective January 1, 2006; Natural Resource Specialist 1 (replaces 17030 Land Manager 1, 95220 Forester 1).
Revised class code (formerly 523I), effective July 1, 2007.
Revised class series concept, 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.