General position summary

Mason, Bruce & Girard (MB&G) is growing and in need of an Assistant Forester based out of our Sonora, CA office. We invite Foresters in Sonora, Visalia or Fresno to apply for this role. This is an opportunity to assist with meaningful work that makes an impact on California’s forests and communities while building your own career within a supportive and flexible company culture.

As an Assistant Forester with MB&G, you’ll assist MB&G’s Registered Professional Foresters with forest health and fuels reduction projects, treatment unit preparation, layout, and administration, and contractor oversight. This is a dynamic position for professionals who enjoy a mix of field and office work: approximately 70% field / 30% office.

Most projects, about 70%, are within a 1.5-hour drive of Sonora, CA, with the remainder across northern and Central California. Preference will be given to applicants who live within 75 miles of Sonora.

At MB&G, you’ll work alongside dedicated professionals who share your commitment to sustainable forestry and environmental stewardship. Join us in shaping a healthier future for forests and communities, we can’t wait to hear from you.

Why MB&G?

Tackle diverse, challenging projects that expand your skills.Be part of an established, respected team known for leading large, ambitious projects.Enjoy flexible scheduling and remote work options for office-based tasks.Above-average benefits and a workplace that values employees.

Ideal Candidates Should Be

Positive and interested in diverse and challenging work in multiple disciplines in forestry.Motivated and enjoy working creatively to solve problems and meet project objectives.Interested in or actively pursuing a California Registered Professional Forester license.Interested in a long-term forestry career in Northern California.Interested in continuously developing new skills.Able to take and pass the RPF and certified arborist exam upon completion of required experience.

Essential Functions/Work Assignment Examples

Assessing forested areas and developing treatment prescriptions.Planning, layout, and operational supervision of forest restoration and fuel reduction, and timber harvesting projects on private and public lands.Assists RPF’s in preparation of permits and environmental reports.Field reconnaissance, mapping, and layout.Administration of restoration contracts including thinning and mastication.Project mapping and GIS analysis using office and field-based GIS applications.Unit layout, timber cruising, and timber marking.Timber sale preparation and administration.Hazard tree assessments.

Minimum Qualifications

B.A./B.S. in Forestry, natural resources, or related field.Ability to complete fieldwork in steep and brushy terrain under all weather conditions.Valid driver’s license.Competency with Microsoft Office programs and Esri’s ArcGIS.Positive and motivated.Ability to complete physically demanding fieldwork in challenging terrain.

Job Skills

Working knowledge of forest management and related timber harvesting operations.Familiarity with the preparation of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) documents such as Negative Declarations (NDs), Mitigated Negative Declarations (MNDs), and Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs).Familiarity with the California Forest Practice Rules and Timber Harvest Plan (THP) preparation.Intermediate skill level in Microsoft Office and Excel, ArcGIS a plus.Excellent communication skills.Enthusiastic and team-oriented individual.

Work Environment

Split between field and office work.Field work includes steep, rough terrain, and all weather conditions.Some potential exposure to herbicides may occur, as work may take place in areas where herbicides are being applied by licensed applicators.Some overnight travel and work throughout the Sierra foothills is required.

About MB&G:

Mason, Bruce & Girard, Inc. is a full-service natural resource consulting firm, with expertise in environmental services, forestry, and geographic information systems (GIS). A set of core values guide our work, focusing our efforts on providing responsible, sustainable solutions that meet client needs.

We have three California Registered Professional Foresters (RPFs) on staff who lead forest health and hazard tree mitigation projects in the Sierra Foothills. We provide expertise and support CAL FIRE, private industry, small landowners, Federal and State agencies, Cities, Counties, Resource Conservation Districts, Utilities, and others.

Our areas of expertise include forestry, wildlife, fisheries, wetlands, water quality, and GIS. Our work is characterized by the highest level of client service, the application of the best science and technology, quality processes and results, integrity, and our respect for the natural environment. We provide natural resource consulting services to both industry and government and have done so since 1921.

Mason, Bruce & Girard is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and we do not discriminate against employees or job applicants on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other status or consideration protected by local, state and federal laws, except where a bona fide occupational qualification applies. Equal opportunity applies to hiring, promotion, training, compensation, and any other organizational action. MB&G’s written Affirmative Action Plan is available to all employees and job applicants upon request.

MB&G is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.