State Forest Geneticist, Natural Resource Scientist ; NRSci

State Forest Geneticist, Natural Resource Scientist 4 (NRSci4)

Recruitment #2026-5-2043

Full-time, Permanent, Represented position (WFSE)

Location:

Meridian Seed Orchard
- Olympia, WA

Work Hours flexibility may be available and considered

Relocation Compensation may be available and considered

Salary: $7,443.00 - $10,004.00 Monthly

Review of applications is ongoing. We reserve the right to make a hiring decision or close this recruitment at any time after 5/18/26. It is in your best interest to submit materials as soon as possible.

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has an exciting opportunity within our Forest Resources Division as the State Forest Geneticist. This role involves maintaining healthy, productive, and diverse forests, collaborating with partners, and translating research into operational practices.

• Provides leadership in Washington for the forest genetics research cooperatives, with emphasis on the Douglas-fir tree breeding and testing program.
  • Represents DNR in regional forest genetics research cooperatives and other forums related to forest genetics.
  • Develops testing goals (tree species and areas) and experimental parameters (what traits will be emphasized and measured) and builds support among cooperators for these decisions.
  • Develops test installation and maintenance procedures, and trains and supervises staff in this work.
• Develops and maintains seed orchard capacity for species and seed zones needed to support DNR’s operational planting program.
  • Determines for which species and areas seed orchards will be established.
  • Works cooperatively with other landowners to support adequate regional seed production and supply.
  • Analyzes results from research trials to decide which trees to include in seed orchards.
  • Designs orchard layout and composition.
  • Conducts surveys and analyzes results from trials to inform innovation of new techniques and methods for improving yields and quality.
  • Trains and oversees staff in orchard management techniques.
• Develops climate change adaptation strategies relevant to DNR’s reforestation operations.
  • Develops experimental designs and implements research studies to evaluate potential changes to seed source choices to adjust to climate change.
  • Participates both internally and externally in multidisciplinary efforts to develop effective adaptation strategies.
  • Decides upon adjustments to the genetics program needed to implement adaptation strategies.
• Devises and implements the gene conservation strategy for forest trees on State Lands.
  • Makes decisions about orchard composition to ensure sufficient conservation of genetic diversity to support the agency’s mission.
  • Monitors the integrity of the Gene Pool Reserve (GPR) system.
  • Considers additional approaches to support gene conservation across the agency’s entire forested land base.
• Consults with DNR staff of all levels and external partners on questions related to forest genetics and seed source management.
  • Assists with determining structure and guidelines for managing seed source choices.
  • Provides advice regarding seed transfer when seedling availability precludes using preferred choices.
  • Advises upper managers when questions come up related to genetics and seed source.
  • Gives presentations on forest genetics to both internal and external audiences.
• Develops biennial budget, approves expenditures, and monitors spending to ensure adherence to approved budget.
• Hires, trains, supervises, and evaluates direct reports.

• Master’s degree in forest genetics or silviculture, with graduate-level coursework in forest genetics and tree breeding, and 4 years of professional experience working in a forest genetics breeding and testing program or a forest seed orchard, or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
• Experience with experimental design, measurement, and analysis of research results related to forest genetics and seed production.
• Experience managing data, analyzing data, and/or scripting using MS Access, R, SAS, Python, or other software.
• Operational experience with forest regeneration.

• Reason logically, draw valid conclusions, and make recommendations.
• Communicate…