Area Forester-Capital District

Title: Area Forester-Capital District

State Role

Title:

Natural Resource Spec III

Hiring Range: Starting at $44,100.00+ DOE with state benefits

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Department of Forestry

Location: Eastern Office New Kent

Agency Website: (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) is seeking an area forester to join the DOF Capital District to support rural and community forestry in Chesterfield County and Tri-City area. This role will work on both rural and community forestry activities, supporting DOF operations in forest management, forest health, conservation, water quality protection, outreach, and wildfire protection.

DOF foresters provide professional forestry assistance and advice to Virginia's forest landowners to support the DOF mission of protecting and developing healthy, sustainable forest resources for Virginians.

Area forester duties include:

• Assisting forest landowners with forest management through technical assistance and forest management plans.
• Evaluating forestland and harvested sites to provide scientific forest management and regeneration guidance.
• Promoting and assisting with the development of riparian buffer establishment projects.
• Assisting with urban & community forestry projects and cost share programs through site visits, planning, and demonstrating good planting techniques.
• Connecting private forest landowners to state and federal cost share programs that support forest and wildlife habitat management projects.
• Promoting DOF grant programs that support urban tree canopy expansion, heat island mitigation, green infrastructure planning, and tree planting.
• Responding to and identifying forest health issues, including invasive pests and plants, and providing management advice to protect & improve forest health.
• Promoting conservation of the forest land base to landowners and local governments.
• Delivering conservation education and outreach to groups and individuals to promote the importance of trees and forests.
• Coordinating with local governments, state agencies, conservation groups, and citizen organizations.
• Preventing and suppressing wildfires, inspecting timber harvests, and enforcing Virginia’s silvicultural water quality law.

Location:

This forester position is part of the DOF Capital District focused on serving Chesterfield County and the cities of Hopewell, Colonial Heights, and Petersburg. DOF office is located in New Kent County; however, this homebased field position is 100% remote. State vehicle, computer, and cell phone provided.

Residency requirement:
Within 6 months of hire date, incumbent must live establish a residence within Chesterfield County or the cities of Petersburg, Colonial Heights, & Hopewell.

Minimum Qualifications

• Demonstrated knowledge of tree species identification, silvics of Virginia native tree species, forest soils, forest measurements/biometrics.
• Knowledge and/or training on establishing riparian buffers and planting trees.
• Experience or training in identifying forest health issues and implementing integrated pest management strategies, training or experience with pesticide use on forest land.
• Demonstrated ability to develop scientific forest management plans.
• Ability to use standard forester’s tools including increment borer, diameter tape, prism, & clinometer to cruise stands of timber.
• Knowledge of or training related to forest harvesting systems and Virginia’s Silvicultural Best Management Practices for Water Quality.
• Ability to work independently, have excellent organizational skills, establish and maintain effective working relationships with state and federal agencies, local planners, cooperators, and the public; have demonstrated excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills, and ability to use a PC and Microsoft Office software.
• Experience working in wooded, rough, and muddy terrain in all weather conditions; ability to navigate varying terrain on foot, climb on and off equipment, work in smoke, travel across the state, and stay overnight. Valid driver’s license or ability to obtain one.

Additional Considerations

• Experience and/or training in wildland firefighting and/or…