Forest Planning Tools and Modeling Specialist

Job Summary

The Forest Planning Tools and Modeling Specialist serves as a senior technical expert responsible for supporting land management planning, monitoring, and natural resource decision-making. This position develops and evaluates forest planning tools, monitoring frameworks, adaptive management strategies, and technical analyses that support sustainable resource management and long-term ecological stewardship.

Asheville, NC (Remote) with periodic travel throughout western North Carolina; proximity to Asheville preferred

Call When Needed, Non-Exempt

Upto
30%,primarily within National Forests throughout North Carolina and surrounding regions, as required.

• Provide senior-level technical support for Forest Service land management planning and implementation activities.
• Develop, refine, and evaluate Forest Plan monitoring programs consistent with the 2012 Planning Rule.
• Design monitoring questions, indicators, metrics, thresholds, and evaluation methodologies used to assess plan effectiveness.
• Prepare biennial monitoring reports, monitoring guides, technical memoranda, and supporting documentation.
• Support adaptive management processes by evaluating monitoring results and recommending plan adjustments based on changing resource conditions.
• Conduct landscape-scale ecological sustainability analyses using available scientific data, monitoring information, and resource assessments.
• Assist in the development, revision, and implementation of National Forest Land Management Plans and supporting environmental documentation.
• Participate as a technical member and advisor on interdisciplinary planning teams.
• Coordinate planning activities across multiple resource disciplines including wildlife, fisheries, vegetation, recreation, watershed, fire management, and cultural resources.
• Develop technical reports, planning documents, briefing materials, and decision support products for agency leadership.
• Interpret federal planning regulations, Forest Service directives, manuals, handbooks, and policy guidance to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Analyze monitoring data and identify trends affecting ecological integrity, multiple-use management, and long-term sustainability.
• Support public engagement efforts by assisting with technical documentation and responses to stakeholder input, as requested.
• Collaborate with federal personnel, contractors, and subject matter experts to ensure planning products meet quality, schedule, and contract requirements.
• Maintain complete project documentation and ensure all work products meet agency quality standards.
• This job description is not designed to cover orcontaina comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required ofthe employee. Duties,responsibilities and activities maychangeor new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

• Must possess an active and valid driver’s license throughout the duration of employment.
• Extensive knowledge of National Forest System land management planning processes.
• Thorough understanding of the 2012 National Forest System Land Management Planning Rule and associated guidance.
• Knowledge of adaptive management principles and ecological sustainability concepts.
• Experience developing forest monitoring frameworks, monitoring questions, indicators, and performance metrics.
• Familiarity with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) planning processes and environmental documentation.
• Knowledge of Forest Service directives, manuals, handbooks, and planning policy.
• Ability to lead or facilitate interdisciplinary technical teams.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent technical writing and editing abilities.
• Ability to communicate complex scientific and regulatory information to diverse audiences.
• Experience interpreting ecological monitoring data and integrating findings into planning recommendations.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while meeting project deadlines.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience with Forest Service Natural Resource Manager (NRM) applications is preferred.
• Familiarity with GIS, spatial analysis, and natural resource databases is preferred.

• Required:
  
  Bachelor's degree in Forestry, Natural Resources Management, Environmental Science, Ecology, Forest Ecology, Forest Management, Geography, or a closely related field.
• Required:
  
  Minimum of 10 years of…