OPERATIONAL FORESTRY INTERN-GWINN, MI

For more than 100 years, Rayonier has responsibly managed timberlands across the United States. Following its merger with PotlatchDeltic, Rayonier now owns approximately 4.2 million acres of timberlands in some of the nation’s most productive soft‑wood‑growing regions. As a leading timberland real‑estate investment trust and wood products company, Rayonier is committed to sustainable forestry, conservation, responsible land management, and high‑quality wood products manufacturing. Rayonier’s people are its top priority, and interns gain hands‑on industry experience through meaningful assignments while developing valuable technical and professional skills. The company is seeking sophomore, junior, senior, and graduate‑level students for Summer 2027 forestry internships. Positions are expected to begin in late May and continue through early August for approximately 10–12 weeks.

Responsibilities

• Measure and scale bolts for physical inventories at Gwinn and various satellite yards, computing cordage and ton equivalences by species.
• Perform log quality checks on suppliers at weight scales and at supplier job sites.
• Assist in reviewing/cruising stumpage sales advertised from various landownerships.
• Assist in supervising producers engaged in permit‑sale road building and maintenance, as well as harvest and transportation activities.
• Inspect active and completed permit sales.
• Learn and understand transportation logistics of trucking, rail, and barging.
• Participate in Gwinn’s monthly safety requirements.
• Assist in marking timber on Managed Forest Law (MFL) lands in Wisconsin for harvest preparation by suppliers.
• Become familiar with Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) principles and Best Management Practices (BMPs).
• Assist in performing SFI harvest inspections for BMP compliance.
• Complete special projects involving marketing pulpwood, bolt quality specifications, and time/efficiency studies.
• Assist the Wood Procurement Manager in understanding residual markets and shipping logistics.
• Be involved in sale administration with the Procurement Forester on various active tracts in the permit stumpage program.
• Understand the roles and responsibilities of a Procurement Forester/Manager and perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program for Forestry, Science, Environmental Science, or a related field.
• Completion of at least two years of college coursework.
• Basic proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel; experience with GPS applications/devices and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) preferred.
• Ability to review and interpret timber sale maps to determine landowner and sale locations; basic compass skills required.
• High energy, adaptability, and strong relationship‑building skills demonstrated with honesty and integrity.
• Excellent planning, organizing, and communication abilities.
• Physical ability to walk across all types of timber stands with uneven ground conditions.
• Good driving record and competent driving skills.

Pay

Hourly rates: Sophomore $20, Junior $22, Senior $24, Graduate $25.

Benefits

• Eligibility to accrue overtime.
• Potential housing assistance; taxable housing expense allowance of $3,000 paid in three installments.
• Mileage reimbursement at the current IRS rate for travel from residence to the internship location, return travel, and work‑hour travel when a work vehicle is unavailable.
• Cell phone provided when applicable.
• Safety boot reimbursement when required.

Schedule

The internship runs for approximately 10–12 weeks, beginning in late May and concluding in early August.