Lumberjack RC&D

Position Title: Inventory Forester Intern

Position Location:

Rhinelander, WI

The successful applicant will be required to live in and around this area with some flexibility depending on location.

Start Date:

May 5th 2025, with flexibility based on the successful applicant’s availability.  This position will remain continuously open until filled.

Background:

Lumberjack has over a 25-year history of doing forest inventory work in Wisconsin for the Wisconsin Department of Natural resources (WIDNR) and has an excellent record of working collaboratively on other forest inventory projects with the United States Forest Service.  Lumberjack installs and remeasures Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) and Urban plots as well as Wisconsin State Forest Continuous Forest Inventory (WisCFI) plots.  We have also completed several other projects for the USFS, WIDNR, and private landowners.  More information about the organization can be found on the company website: https://lumberjackrcd.org/

Job Description:

The current inventory staff consists of seven permanent field foresters with a combined total of nearly 50 years of inventory experience with Lumberjack.  Locations are semi-remote and scattered across the state of Wisconsin.

The inventory program is primarily involved in the establishment and remeasurement of permanent forest inventory plots, though it is not strictly limited to this.  At times other work that may or may not be related to forest inventory is made available and would be considered part of the job.

The forest inventory intern will work alongside full-time staff for the duration of the summer on all types of projects that require additional help.  The focus of the internship position will be primarily working on Urban FIA plots and CFI summer only plots.

In general, the job is 95% outside work and applicants should be prepared to work in all types of weather.  This job is physically demanding and requires long hikes through sometimes very difficult terrain and conditions.  Candidates cannot have any physical limitations and must be able to carry 30+ pounds of equipment and walk up to 5+ miles per day.  In addition to physical demands, candidates must be comfortable working in remote areas.

There is substantial travel associated with this position and the successful candidate should expect to be away from home (Mon-Fri) for approximately 4-6 weeks of the summer, all travel, however, is within the Midwest.

Specific Duties:

Remeasurement of forest inventory plots includes the following: Using aerial photos to locate selected locations on the ground by transferring photo measurements to the field.  Determining land ownership using county GIS data to obtain access permission for all privately-owned properties. Running lines and measuring distances using compass and pacing techniques with the aid of a GPS device.

Measurements on the plot include, taking tree diameters, heights, and crown measurements; assessing disease and damage agents; grading logs (standing); classifying forest types and assessing land uses; determining tree ages and site indexes on appropriate species, and measuring slope, aspect and more.  All data items are to be taken strictly following established guidelines and protocols, following several federally produced manuals.

Other non-tree related items measured and/or evaluated may include down woody material, soils, and herbaceous vegetation (habitat typing). 

Other duties may vary but generally include, work to improve established procedures, routine maintenance of a company provided vehicle, and communication with other members of the crew.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Working on a two-year forestry or natural resources related degree or have equivalent experience.
• Be able to accurately identify Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan tree species both leaf-on and leaf-off.
• The desire and ability to work outdoors in Wisconsin, year-round.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• A valid driver’s license and proof of insurance is required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Working on completing a four-year degree in Forestry or natural resources related degree.
• Have previous FIA/CFI inventory experience or knowledge of the program.
• Knowledge of herbaceous plants with a habitat typing certification in the state of Wisconsin.
• Proficency in ArcGIS and or QGIS software.

* Candidates who are not working on obtaining a natural resource related degree will be considered provided they can clearly demonstrate the ability to identify Wisconsin’s tree species and can show through prior work experience that they are comfortable working outdoors, year-round, in Wisconsin.

Compensation:

Positions are full-time temporary with a starting hourly rate of $16.50 paid biweekly for a 40 hour work week. Additional benefits include:

• Paid holidays
• Compensatory time accrued for every quarter hour worked over 40 hours a week
• Company provided credit card.
• Hotel and per diem paid while on travel status.