Natural Resources Specialist (Forestry Inventory Technician)

Forest Inventory Technicians will assist Principal Investigators on a variety of natural resource and conservation projects within the Virginia Tech Conservation Management Institute. Technicians will work as part of a collaborative field team to collect, record, and manage data related to forest inventory and vegetation monitoring across diverse forested landscapes.

Responsibilities

• Conduct forest measurements, vegetation surveys, forest fuels assessments, and related natural resource field investigations.
• Follow standardized data collection protocols, maintain field equipment, and ensure accurate and complete data records.
• Perform basic data entry, quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) reviews, and assist with the preparation of written summaries and reports.
• Work outdoors in varied terrain and weather conditions.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Forestry, Forest Resources, Natural Resources, Environmental Science, Ecology, Wildlife Science, Biology, or a closely related field; or an equivalent combination of education and relevant field experience.
• Experience working as part of a field crew conducting natural resource, forest inventory, vegetation, or ecological surveys.
• Knowledge of forest inventory methods and procedures, including measuring tree and stand attributes such as species, diameter, height, regeneration, and forest health indicators.
• Ability to identify common tree species and other vegetation found throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern United States.
• Ability and willingness to work outdoors for extended periods in remote locations and under adverse weather, terrain, and field conditions, including carrying field equipment and hiking over rough terrain.
• Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record and the ability to successfully complete background checks required for access to military installations and other restricted properties.
• Experience using Microsoft Office applications (particularly Excel and Word), GPS/GNSS equipment, mobile data collection platforms, and ESRI GIS software (e.g., ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, Field Maps).

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience conducting forest inventory, timber cruising, forest health monitoring, FIA-style inventories, or related forestry fieldwork.
• Experience using electronic data collection devices, tablets, and GIS-based field applications.
• Familiarity with soils characterization, forest fuels assessments, and vegetation monitoring protocols.
• Experience working on federally managed lands, military installations, or other large-scale natural resource management projects.

Pay

$18–23/hour

Schedule

• 40 hours per week
• Part-time, hourly wage position
• Non-Exempt: Eligible for overtime

Additional Information

• The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About the Organization

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.