Job Description

Position: Supervisory Forester

Location : Missoula, MT

About Us: Montana Forest Consultants is the largest Montana-based forestry consulting firm in the state, specializing in practical, science-driven forest management across private, state, federal, and local government lands. We are a small and intimate company growing with the demand for forest management solutions in Montana. Our team works on a wide range of projects—from reforestation and wildfire recovery, inventory, forest management planning, harvest and thinning layout, prescribed fire, project administration and supervision, and beyond. We are committed to responsible resource management, landowner service, and building resilient working forests across the Northern Rockies.

The Supervisory Forester is a crucial part of the Montana Forest Consultants team, overseeing field operations, project management, and managing a staff of foresters and technicians. This role ensures the smooth administration of field operations, project management, and fosters a positive and dynamic working environment. This position will report directly to the CEO.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

The duties and expectations described reflect some key responsibilities for this role. All employees are expected to complete tasks in a professional and time efficient manner. Other duties may be assigned based on the needs of the organization at any time. 

Team Leadership & Supervision

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of foresters and forestry technicians.

• Schedule and assign project workloads, field work, and reporting responsibilities.

• Conduct hands-on staff training, safety meetings, and performance evaluations. Ensure staff receive ongoing training and continuing education for development.

• Foster a positive, accountable, and safety-oriented work culture.

Project Management

• Oversee field operations, including timber cruising, layout, silvicultural prescriptions, reforestation, prescribed fire, and fuels reduction projects. Ensure foresters and technicians are equipped with necessary resources to complete projects.

• Ensure technical accuracy, data quality, and timely completion of all deliverables.

• Coordinate with clients, contractors, and agency partners to align project objectives and expectations.

• Review and approve project reports, maps, and GIS data prior to submission.

Technical Forestry Work

• Participate in and occasionally lead field work, especially for complex or high-value projects.

• Develop or review forest management plans, NEPA support documentation, and silvicultural prescriptions with foresters and forestry technicians.

• Provide technical oversight for inventory, stand modeling, and data analysis.

Administrative & Strategic Support

• Lead project budgeting, scheduling, and proposal preparation.

• Identify opportunities for operational improvements and new service offerings.

• Represent the company professionally with clients, agencies, and the public.

• Manage company equipment and fleet, ensuring adequate resources are available for team members.

Qualifications

Required

• Minimum of five years work experience in a forestry-related leadership role. A t least three years experience supervising, motivating, and coaching multi-tiered teams to achieve goals.
• B.S. or equivalent in work/education in forestry, forest management, or a closely related field
• Maintain a valid U.S. driver’s license
• Strong understanding of Western U.S. silviculture, harvest systems, and forest operations.
• At least five years experience managing contractors/contractor relationships in different forest operations.
• Proficiency in standard forestry tools, GPS/GIS, and data collection software
• Proven leadership and conflict resolution skills. Demonstrated ability to adapt and apply knowledge in a dynamic work environment
• Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Flexible schedule for changing work dynamics, ability to travel across Montana for short-moderate periods of time, sometimes overnight
• Ability to spend long periods of time (up to 80%) on your feet traveling through challenging terrain and working in varying weather conditions. Ability to lift or carry up to 70 pounds

Preferred

• SAF Certified or state licensed forester (or ability to obtain certification or registration in Montana or nearby states).
• Experience with private landowner and agency projects (e.g., DNRC, USFS, NRCS, BLM).
• Knowledge of wildfire, reforestation, carbon protocols, and other forestry related fields.
• Experience writing and managing large-scale, long-term contracts.
• Experience with digital management platforms, such as Asana.

Compensation and Benefits

• Annual salary range $75k-$90k and/or commensurate with experience
• IRA retirement plan with company match
• Healthcare reimbursement plan
• Vehicle or mileage reimbursement for field work
• Paid time off, holidays, and flexible scheduling during field season
• Professional development support (training, conferences, SAF membership)
• Opportunity for advancement within a growing Montana forestry firm

Job Tags

Similar Jobs