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Job Description
The District Forester is responsible for managing company-owned and managed timberlands to support safe, sustainable, and productive forest operations. This position helps develop and carry out forest management plans with a focus on timber growth, harvest planning, reforestation, contractor oversight, regulatory and Best Management Practices compliance, and accurate field and GIS-based recordkeeping.
Job Duties:
Assist in preparing annual harvest, and reforestation plans and budgets for all ownerships. Coordinate and monitor logging, site preparation, planting, herbicide, and other forestry contractors to ensure contract compliance, safe work practices, and quality results. Monitor harvesting operations on owned and managed lands to ensure compliance with Louisiana Recommended Forestry Best Management Practices, water quality protections, and company standards while maximizing timber utilization. Conduct timber cruising, stand assessments, and inventory updates in support of the five-year timber cruising plan and ongoing management decisions. Maintain and update GIS maps, tract records, harvest records, and other forestry data used for planning, reporting, and operational decision-making. Inspect tracts for regeneration success, forest health concerns, insect or disease issues, storm damage, boundary conditions, and general property needs. Assist with boundary line maintenance, road and access planning, and coordination of improvements through company personnel or independent contractors. Support timber sale preparation, field layout, contractor communication, and post-harvest follow-up activities. Work with internal teams, consultants, contractors, and other stakeholders to support landowner, business, and forest stewardship objectives. Prepare clear field notes, reports, maps, and recommendations to support sound forestry and business decisions. Administer hunting club matters and assist other departments as needed.
Education, Experience, and Skills:
Bachelor's degree in forestry, Forest Management, or a closely related field is required; a forestry-focused degree is strongly preferred. Two to five years of forestry, timberland management, or related field experience is preferred; experience with private timberland ownerships, forest products operations, or landowner support is highly valued. Working knowledge of forest management planning, reforestation, timber harvest operations, forest inventory, and timber stand improvement practices is required. Knowledge of Louisiana forestry practices, including Recommended Forestry Best Management Practices, water quality protection measures, and contractor oversight expectations, is strongly preferred. Experience using GIS, GPS, digital mapping tools, spreadsheets, and forestry records systems is preferred; experience with drones and related field technology is a plus. Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with contractors, landowners, consultants, and internal business teams. Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple field projects and priorities. Society of American Foresters certification, logger/BMP training, or other forestry-related credentials are a plus but not required. Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel is required.
Working Conditions:
Working indoors and outdoors Excessive smoke, heat, humidity, cold, wet and extreme dry conditions Walking on irregular ground for long distances Working around neighborhood/residential and wild land hazards Will be required to wear appropriate safety protection/clothing Hunt Forest Products is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and all applications will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, age (40 and above), disability, religion, national origin, or any other protected status where otherwise qualified.
