The posting
Position: Logging Crew Foreman
Status: Permanent, Full-Time, 12-Month, Exempt, Staff
Department: Institute of Forestry
Reports to: Director, Institute of Forestry
Salary: $62,53.20 annual salary
College Background:
Paul Smith’s College is a small, private college located on the shores of Lower St. Regis Lake in the Adirondack Mountains of northern New York. Its mission is to empower career-ready graduates, advance sustainability, and foster a resilient Adirondacks. Central to the college’s mission are its research institutes. The Institute of Forestry integrates professional education, applied research, and practical forest management into the daily experience of Paul Smith’s forestry students, staff, and faculty. The Institute develops and carries out externally funded research and is responsible for management of the College Forest, which surrounds the core campus and consists of nearly 10,000 acres of productive timberland and thousands of additional acres of mountains, streams, wetlands, ponds, and lakes.
Position Description:
Paul Smith’s College is seeking a Logging Crew Foreman to advance the management of the College Forest and the integration of forestry operations into Paul Smith’s College student experiences. The Foreman will work closely with the Director of the Institute of Forestry and other Institute staff to grow the College Logging Crew, professionalize its operations, and leverage its potential for innovation and impact across forestry teaching, research, and practice.
Duties & Responsibilities:
- Oversee day-to-day operations of the College Logging Crew, primarily including timber harvesting operations, log merchandising and marketing, and coordination of trucking/transportation logistics
- Hire, train and supervise student workers on the College Logging Crew, including in heavy equipment operation, maintenance, and repair
- Promote and enforce a strong safety culture, ensuring that all crew members follow established safety protocols and wear required personal protective equipment, and that operations comply with applicable OSHA, New York State, and forestry best management practice requirements.
- Carry out administrative responsibilities related to management of the College Logging Crew, including budgeting, bookkeeping, accounting, and periodic reporting.
- Work collaboratively with students, faculty, staff, contractors, and other stakeholders to advance the mission of the College.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications and Preferences:
- Bachelor’s degree in forestry.
- 3-5 years of experience in commercial logging, logging operations or procurement forestry, or closely related field.
- Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record which will enable authorization to drive College-owned vehicles.
- Demonstrated success working with diverse teams.
- Ability to work with a broad range of diverse individuals and groups to form a safe and inclusive campus community.
Physical Requirements:
Environmental Conditions
• The Work of this position is frequently performed outdoors. Seasonal temperatures should be expected and various noise levels dependent on equipment being used to perform job duties should be expected.
Lifting and Carrying
- Occasionally lifting and carrying of equipment weighing 50 lbs.
- Equipment and related debris are of various shapes and sizes so may require unusual gripping points.
Mobility
• Ability to bend, stoop, and kneel to pick up items, as necessary.
• Frequent need to reach overhead or below waist level to perform work duties.
Dexterity and Hand-Eye Coordination
• Manual dexterity for handling tools and equipment used in the performance of duties.
Sensory Requirements
• Good vision, including color vision, with corrective lenses as necessary.
• Good hearing with assistive devices as necessary.
Paul Smith’s College is an equal opportunity employer. Position descriptions are created that focus on essential functions, using inclusive language, and avoid unnecessary or discriminatory requirements.
Additional Information: Questions about the position can be directed to Dr. John Foppert, Director of the Paul Smith’s College Institute of Forestry: [email protected]. The intended start date for this position is January 1, 2027.
Application: Applications must be submitted through the Paul Smith’s College jobs portal. Applications will be reviewed as they are received. For full consideration, all application materials must be submitted by November 15, 2026.
Paul Smith’s College is an equal opportunity employer. Position descriptions are created that focus on essential functions, using inclusive language, and avoid unnecessary or discriminatory requirements.



