Forestry Technician

Position Title: HRI Forestry Technician 

Reports to: HRI Forestry Crew Leader 

Posting Date: July 21, 2025 (This posting will remain open until filled.) 

Start Date: September 29, 2025 

End Date: Approximately May 10, 2025 (season typically runs through the first week of May) 

Hours: Up to 40 hrs/week; full-time seasonal position. The position requires a flexible schedule; hours  will vary based on weather, project location and state/local COVID-19 related restrictions, with a target  of three to four 10-hour days per week on average; some weekends and multi-day, overnight trips  throughout the year; minimum number of hours/week not guaranteed. Weekly average of 33-35  hrs/week for past seasons. Work weeks may exceed 40 hrs/week (Monday-Sunday), when necessary. 

Compensation: Hourly wage will start at $20/hour, with adjustments based on experience. Benefits  include paid holidays and limited paid time off. Mileage reimbursement provided for personal vehicle  use when use of personal vehicle is necessary; other approved travel expenses. 

Program Description: The Hemlock Restoration Initiative (HRI) is a grant-funded program managed  by WNC Communities’ Forestry Education LLC. HRI’s mission is to work with a variety of partners and  existing programs to restore hemlocks to long-term health throughout North Carolina and ensure that  eastern and Carolina hemlocks can resist hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) and survive to maturity on  North Carolina’s public and private lands. This is accomplished through establishing and maintaining  hemlock conservation areas (HCAs), implementing chemical and biological control of HWA, supporting  the restoration efforts of partner agencies, and educating private landowners and others on the  importance of hemlocks and how they can help conserve hemlocks on their own properties or as  volunteers on larger public lands projects. 

Summary of Position: Our Forestry Technician crew is on the front-lines in our program to control  HWA on forest lands in North Carolina. As a Forestry Technician, you will work fall through spring as  part of a small team conducting hemlock restoration activities on national, state, and otherwise  conserved forests, including parks, game lands, and private lands across Western North Carolina.  These activities will consist of conducting chemical treatments for HWA, scouting and assessing the  health of hemlock stands, writing and updating hemlock treatment plans for each site, installing and  collecting data from impact monitoring plots, and to a lesser degree supporting other HWA control  strategies, including biological and silvicultural control strategies. This work is done mostly in the field,  in backcountry wooded terrains. Work days are generally 10+ hour days, spent outside. On occasion,  the technician crew will work with others (such as volunteers, Job Corps, ACE, BRIDGE, other agency  staff, etc.) to accomplish the above tasks. This position is an excellent opportunity to be a member of a  dynamic team, play an influential role in addressing an important forest health issue, and work in  ecologically special and often stunningly beautiful natural areas across Western North Carolina and the  Southern Appalachians. The ideal candidate will believe in the program’s mission, embrace a positive,  collegial culture, and relish being a member of a hard-working team for a transformative non-profit  organization.

1 

Work Environment: HRI’s office is located in Asheville, NC. The position will be an in-person, field based position, using the office as headquarters. Most fieldwork days will be 10+ hour days (generally  8:00AM to 6:00PM) returning to the office each day; however, there will also be multi-day, overnight  trips (camping or staying in shared cabins). The field work can be moderately to highly physically  strenuous, in remote locations, on difficult terrain (steep slopes, thick understory vegetation), in cold  and occasionally hot temperatures, with possible exposure to poison ivy, insects and other wildlife.  Technicians can expect to spend some time each week in our shared office entering field-collected data  and updating hemlock treatment plans (HTPs). 

Duties and Responsibilities (job activities include but are not limited to): 

● Perform chemical treatment of hemlock trees on state and other public lands in areas determined  by the HRI Director and program partners 

● Prepare for workdays, incl. acquiring maps of and directions to site, reviewing treatment plans,  checking equipment, etc. 

● Drive HRI program vehicle or personal vehicle to and from site and on-site, when necessary;  maintain gas & mileage log 

● Scout and assess potential Hemlock Conservation Areas and draft or update HTPs ● Provide on-site guidance, instruction & additional facilitation of volunteers, workshop participants,  and occasionally Job Corps and BRIDGE crews. Work independently to conduct treatments when  other crews are not available 

● Assist with HWA-predator monitoring & other aspects of biological control program ● Assist with installation and monitoring of tree health assessment plots 

● Use proper data recording techniques and GPS to record, compile and enter data from chemical  and biological treatments and tree health assessments, including mapping 

● Maintain frequent and timely communication with HRI Forestry Crew Leader and other staff ● Help Crew Leader and other members maintain an inclusive, safe, positive, and fun work culture ● Follow all HRI protocols and policies and be accountable for all work performed on site ● Ensure personal safety while in the field, including the use of appropriate personal protective  equipment (PPE) and safety procedures in all tasks 

● Clean, maintain, and properly inventory equipment used in the field 

● Maintain a professional demeanor as a representative of the HRI program when interacting with  partners, volunteers, or other members of the public 

● Bring any issues or challenges related to team dynamics, duties, protocols, policies, along with  suggestions and other ideas for program improvement, to the attention of the HRI Crew Leader  and/or Director 

● Participate in end of season wrap up and clean up 

● Other tasks TBD 

How to Apply: 

Fill out this questionnaire and email a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three  professional references as attachments with the email subject line “HRI Forestry Technician Position  Application” to crewleader@savehemlocksnc.org. Please submit attached documents as PDFs. 

Non-discrimination Hiring Statement: 

WNC Communities’ Forestry Education LLC is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants are  considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, mental  or physical disabilities, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or  expression, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. All  employment decisions shall be consistent with the principles of equal opportunity employment.  Accommodations to enable all individuals to participate in the application process may be provided  upon advance request. People with diverse skills and experience and individuals who identify with  groups typically under-represented in the conservation industry are encouraged to apply.