Assistant Forester

Mission

The Hawaii Agriculture Research Center (HARC) supports a viable agricultural sector by researching and applying relevant science and technology to achieve practical solutions and identify new agricultural opportunities.

Hawaii Agriculture Research Center is a private non-profit agricultural research organization. Serving Hawaii’s agricultural sector for more than 125 years, HARC is committed to crop improvement through research and technology transfer. In addition to a state-of-the-art laboratory, the organization manages two ecologically distinct experimental research farms located on the island of Oahu in Hawaii.

Medical Plan

Dental Plan (100% employer paid)

Sick Leave (starts at 10 days per year)

Vacation Leave (eligible for 15 days per year)

Funeral Leave

Paid Holidays

401K Plan (HARC offers 3% company contributions plus a 1% match of employee contributions)

Flexible Spending Plan

Group Life Insurance

Long Term Disability Insurance

The Assistant Forester position serves as the Senior Forester’s primary operational partner and trusted second‑in‑command to support forest health and restoration projects focused on native Hawaiian forest tree species. It provides advanced technical, analytical, and field‑based support across forestry research, restoration, and disease‑monitoring programs. This role operates at a higher level than other forestry positions, assuming leadership responsibilities, coordinating complex field activities, and ensuring continuity of decision‑making when the Senior Forester is unavailable.

The position requires strong independent judgment, a high degree of technical competency, and the ability to integrate forestry, ecology, plant pathology, and data science into cohesive project execution. Responsibilities include field data collection, disease and pest monitoring and screening for resistance, native tree species propagation, planting trials, experimental design, data analysis, and collaboration with Forestry Program team members and project partners.

By integrating scientific rigor with practical restoration activities, this role contributes to ecological restoration and long‑term forest resilience through evidence‑based sustainable forestry practices to bridge the gap between research and operational forestry.

This position is distinguished from other forestry roles by its elevated level of responsibility, technical expertise, and leadership expectations. Functioning as the “right hand” to the Senior Forester, the role provides advanced support in experimental design, data analysis, field operations, and interdepartmental coordination. The position routinely collaborates with senior researchers, contributes to scientific outputs, and plays a key role in implementing research and restoration strategies.

It is expected to exercise greater autonomy, oversee complex tasks, and support strategic planning efforts that guide forestry program priorities.

• Assist in the establishment and maintenance of progeny trials / seed orchards for monitoring tree growth, survival, and health and seed production.
• Collect quantitative and qualitative data on tree species, diameter at breast height (DBH), height, crown condition, and site characteristics using standard forestry tools (e.g., diameter tape, calipers, clinometers, GPS units).
• Ensure data integrity through accurate recording, labeling, and digital entry into databases and GIS systems.

• Support the monitoring of forest stands for signs of disease, pest infestation, and invasive species.
• Collect and process samples (e.g., leaves, bark, soil) for laboratory analysis of pathogens and pest presence.
• Participate in koa wilt isolate collection, and screening trials (sample collection, GIS mapping, isolate library maintenance, data collection and analysis).
• Assist in the identification and mapping of disease and pest outbreaks using field observations and GIS tools.
• Document and report findings to the senior researcher and relevant stakeholders.

• Par…