Forester

Job Title: Forester

Agency: Texas A&M Forest Service Department Region 4

Minimum Salary: $4,500.00 monthly

Location: Conroe, Texas

Job Type: Staff

The Forester position provides administrative leadership to the district, promotes and executes the various agency programs within the district, provides local leadership in emergency management, forest pest management, landowner assistance, and related programs, and promotes teamwork in the district, region, and state. The Forester represents the State of Texas and the Texas A&M Forest Service as a professional public servant.

• Equip NIPF landowners to make informed decisions regarding forest land management, including local administration of rural forestry programs, community forestry, and direct landowner assistance.
• Deliver agency public affairs programs, such as conservation education activities and participation in local economic development organizations.
• Supervise assigned staff and manage all local agency service programs, including oversight of employee activities at the Conroe and Cleveland offices, personnel evaluations, training, facilities, grounds, equipment, reporting, and district budget.
• Oversee and manage the 1,700‑acre William Goodrich Jones State Forest.
• Administer and support local protection and emergency response programs, including forest pest mitigation, wildland fire suppression, all‑hazard response, and capacity building.
• Meet the minimum physical fitness standard established by the NWCG and obtain NWCG certification as determined by agency leadership; meet a two‑mile walk in 30 minutes or less with 25 pounds.
• Attend professional development training and meetings.
• Live within 30 minutes of the work station.
• Manage credit cards in accordance with state law and agency policies.
• Respond to dispatcher within 30 minutes of an emergency call or alert.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Field related job, often in remote forested locations under various geographic and climatic conditions.
• May require long hours with minimal rest in primitive conditions; may be strenuous, dirty, or hazardous due to fire, adverse weather, extreme temperatures, noise, chemicals, vibrations, and allergens.
• May require operating heavy equipment and exposure to equipment vibrations and noise.
• Out‑of‑town travel and overtime hours common.

Required

Education:

Bachelor of Science or higher in Forestry from an SAF accredited school of forestry.

Required Experience: None.

Preferred Experience: Conservation and environmental education programming, working with landowners, program implementation and planning.

Required Knowledge: Word processing and spreadsheet applications (Word, Excel).

Preferred Knowledge: GIS/GP.

Required Ability: Multi‑task and work cooperatively with others.

Required Skills: Good oral and written communication skills.

Required Licenses &

Certifications:

Valid Texas Class C;
Texas Class A CDL required within 180 days (or hire). Preferred: SAF Certified Forester, ISA Certified Arborist, TFA Accredited Forester, Non‑commercial pesticide applicator license.

• Competitive package including medical, dental, vision, life, and long‑term disability insurance.
• Retirement benefits, paid time off, and health and lifestyle programs.
• Educational incentives and tuition reimbursement opportunities.
• Compensatory time off, overtime on emergency response, and a physical fitness incentive of $500 for passing the yearly fitness test.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.