2025 Silviculture Intern, Webster Nursery - Exempt
Exempt, Full-time to Part-time (Minimum 16 hours and up to 40 hrs/week), Flexible start date with 3-6 month duration.
Anticipated employment is May-September, 2025
Location: Meridian Seed Orchard - Olympia, WA.
Salary: 
Sophomore and below: $17.00/hr.
Junior: $18.00/hr.
Senior: $19.00/hr.
Graduate Students: up to $22.00/hr.
1-year Graduate program $20.00/hr.
2-year Graduate program $21.00/hr.
Higher $22.00/hr. *Housing stipend of up to $1000/mo. maybe available

Join something GREAT and make a difference!

The DNR Silviculture Section is seeking an intern to support work in three important areas: 1) monitoring the implementation of DNR’s Habitat Conversation Plan, 2) monitoring the implementation and success of silvicultural activities on DNR lands, and 3) supporting the production of seed and seedlings at the agency’s nursery and seed orchard facility (located in Tumwater, WA). You will be responsible for conducting a wide variety of tasks such as assessing forest conditions in the field, reviewing timber sale documentation, monitoring cone crops, and assisting with horticultural activities for seedling production, among other tasks. You will also be part of a team of silviculture scientists working to support the management of healthy, productive forests for current and future generations through stewardship, science, and technology. This work will involve traveling across multiple DNR regions allowing for the exploration of different forest ecotypes.

Responsibilities:

Work alongside silviculture research and monitoring staff to accomplish the following:

• Works both independently and (or) as part of a team to conduct field reviews of forest management activities for compliance with agency policies and procedures.
• Gathers forest measurement data such as tree diameter, tree height, species identification, tree density, and understory vegetation data.
• Assists with the installation of research studies in the field. Activities include marking plot corners, marking seedling locations, and planting seedlings.
• Operates and maintains field instruments and equipment such as height poles, calipers, tablets, laser range finders, and GPS units.
• Monitor cone crops, prepare genetic test sites for planting, and conduct inventories of seed orchard sites 
• Assist with horticultural activities associated with seedling production at the Webster Forest Nursery 
• Records data using both paper datasheets and electronic resources (handheld tables and GPS). 
• Conducts data entry and quality control of collected data.
• Updates the HCP Checklist database by reviewing timber sale documentation.
• Reports to the supervisor verbally and in writing regarding fieldwork and data management

Required Qualifications: 

• A full-time student (12+ credits/quarter) majoring in Forestry, Horticulture, Crop or Forest Science, Natural Resources Management, or related field and will be returning to school in the following quarter/semester.
• A licensed driver with two years of driving experience. Employees who drive for state business, whether in a state or privately owned vehicle, are required to possess a valid license and abide by all other driver responsibility requirements.
• At least 18 years of age at the time of hire.
• Maintain high standards for safety
• Maintain high standards of personal, professional, and ethical conduct
• Contributes to a work environment that embraces diversity and brings together the strengths and perspectives of diverse groups.
• Conveys a clear desire and ability to learn new concepts and skills.
• Shows the ability to turn learned conceptions into practical application.