Forestry Operations Technician - Seasonal

This seasonal position provides GIS support to our Area Foresters in and around Starkville, Mississippi with a primary focus on digitizing and maintaining our forest road network. You’ll work with an experienced team that cares about safe, responsible forest management.

Most time will be spent digitizing roads in GIS using aerial imagery, GPS data, and field information, then attributing and quality-checking the data so it’s accurate and complete. This data will be used to plan harvests, layout, and operations, so accuracy and attention to detail are essential.

Field work makes up the rest of the role. When field work is requested it is to verify road locations and conditions, collect GPS data, and support foresters with harvest unit layout and flagging. There will be exposure to the wider range of forestry work, including plantation monitoring, prescribed burning, and contractor oversight.

Essential Functions:

• Actively support a safe workplace and participate in the company safety program.
• Digitize forest roads in GIS using aerial imagery, GPS data, and field information.
• Attribute road data accurately and completely, including road type, surface, and condition.
• Quality-check and edit road data to keep the company road network accurate and current.
• Produce accurate, comprehensive, and clear maps using ArcMap and other GIS tools.
• Enter and maintain field data in GIS and forestry databases.
• Work closely with the Harvesting and Inventory GIS groups to keep data consistent and current.
• Collect and verify road locations and conditions in the field using GPS and other forestry equipment.
• Assist foresters with Harvest Plan preparation and road layout.
• Flag harvest boundaries, stream protection zones, and key habitat features as needed.
• Maintain legible, detailed records and write technical reports.
• Support other forestry projects as needed, including plantation monitoring, prescribed burning, and wildfire response.
• Collaborate with other departments to meet their needs while maintaining a high level of productivity.

This work requires an associate degree in Forestry, Natural Resources, GIS, or the equivalent experience. 

Most of the work will be remote with but the position is based in or near Starkville, MS and includes a company vehicle for the required field work.