WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL

Specification for Class of

FOREST CHECK CRUISER I  (94900)

Definition: As the leader of a cruising team, performs the principal cruise on scale timber sales; checks cruises performed by local unit personnel or by the Forest Cruiser. Inspects sale preparation considerations and recommends changes through managers or the Forest Check Cruiser II.

Typical Work

Makes complete ground checks of proposed timber sale areas in conjunction with and while cruising the area; identifies sale boundaries, checks proposed logging road locations; checks for equipment setup points; notes extraction routes and mileage to sawmills;

Selects timber sampling method, lays out cruise pattern; counts trees, estimates heights; observes species; estimates extent of defect and assigns grade; makes mathematical projections from samples to calculate estimates of grade, species, and value of entire sales area;

Reviews sales proposal to verify reasonable allowances for road construction and other extraction costs; identifies, discusses and resolves differences with area personnel; makes suggestion for improvement of all aspects or portions of sale proposed; notifies supervisor in event of unresolved differences in opinions of stand values or certain aspects of sale;

Makes frequent study trips to sawmills to examine extent of hidden defects and determine actual mill cutout from timber;

Performs other work as required.

Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge of: timber cruising methods and procedures, including measurement and marketability by species, grade and defect; timber sale layout, including selection of sale boundaries, layout of roads and location of equipment setup points; factors determining types and amount of logging equipment suitable for different sales; factors influencing extraction costs; basic surveying.

Ability to: estimate tree height and diameters; identify tree species and timber defect and estimate extent of defect; estimate timber grade and net volume; estimate logging and other extraction costs; make extensive cruises of remote areas during inclement weather; travel frequently and for extended periods.

Minimum Qualifications

Two years of experience as a Forest Cruiser.

OR

Two years of experience leading a team engaged in timber cruising for the purpose of timber land exchanges or timber buying and selling.

Revised definition and minimum qualifications: 6-25-76