Forester II - Silviculture

Position: Staff Forester II - Silviculture
** Job Title
** Staff Forester II - Silviculture
** Agency
* * Texas A&M Forest Service
** Department
* * Forest Analytics Department
** Proposed Minimum Salary**$4,833.34 monthly
** Job Location
** Lufkin, Texas
** Job Type
** Staff
* * Job Description
** The Staff Forester II will support the Texas A&M Forest Service (TAMFS) Silvicultural Program by performing several major duties.
** Major Responsibilities:**
- * Provide scientific expertise
* on forest establishment, growth, vigor, productivity and sustainability by delivering current, research-based information to agency forester, consulting foresters and forest industry professionals.

- * Support landowner and public education efforts
* by developing and delivering educational materials and outreach activities that promote understanding of forest science, management practices and the environmental and economic benefits of forests.

- * Translate research into practice
* by synthesizing current silvicultural science into practical tools, including diagnostic guides, prescription methodologies and decision-support models to enhance forest vigor, resiliency and productivity.

- * Develop and implement silvicultural strategies
* that address a wide range of landowner objectives, with an emphasis on practical, science-based guidance tailored to small-acerage owners and diverse forest management goals.

- * Coordinate and deliver in-service training
* for agency Foresters and Resource Specialists on topics such as:
1) adaptive culture,
2) hardwood and pine production silviculture,
3) understory plant identification,
4) naturalist topics (e.g. animal , insect pollinators, wildlife management basics) and
5) ecosystem restoration (e.g. shortleaf and longleaf pine).

- * Collaborate with internal staff and external partners
* to ensure silvicultural science is integrated into forest management planning, policy developmnet and program delivery.

- * Collaborate with state forest managers
* to establish and maintain "proof of concept" field plots - primarily on state forest lands - that demonstrate the effectiveness of current silvicultural strategies on forest productivity, resiliency, vigor, risk mitigation and economic return.

- * Develop and lead promotional campaigns
* that effectively communicate silvicultural science using modern communication channels. Messaging should emphasize appeal, clarity, directness, brevity, credibility, transparency and memorability.

- * Support and facilitate activities related to financial assistance programs
* administered by the Silvicultural Program.

- * Assist with other Silvicultural Program needs
* and special projects as assigned.

- * Assist with incident response and agency operations*, including wildfire and all-hazard response, preparedness and recovery, as well as other program duties as assigned.
** Occasional Responsibilities:**-The Forester must perform related duties when required and is encouraged to be involved with local community and professional activities not specifically related to the agency.
*
* Working Conditions:

**-This position involves a combination of office-based work and frequent outdoors fieldwork. While most duties will be performed in an office setting, the position will require travel to field sites for demonstrations, assessments and educational activities. Fieldwork may involve infrequent exposure to harsh environmental conditions, including wind, sunlight, rain and temperature extremes. The job may also require walking long distances over uneven terrain, standing for extended periods, twisting, bending, reaching and kneeling and lifting and carrying heavy objects such as field equipment or signage.

This position demands a commitment to safely conducting outdoor work in a variety of conditions.
** Education qualifications/training required:**-Bachelors of Science in Forestry with an emphasis in forest management or a closely related field from a Society of American Foresters (SAF) accredited university.

-Master's degree in Forestry is preferred.

-Applicants must demonstrate a strong academic background in southern silviculture, including coursework and/or practical experience related for forest regeneration, stand dynamics, forest health and applied silvicultural systems.
** Work experience and skills required:**-A minimum of three (3) years of
* professional field experience
* in the application of southern silviculture.

-Two (2) years' experience (may be concurrent) incorporating applied research into educational and outreach tools and conducting data analyses to solve complex problems.

-Strong background in
* Southern Silviculture*, with demonstrated knowledge of forest establishment, growth and management practices relevant to the region.

-Excellent
* communication, organization and documentation skills*, including the ability to prepare clear, accurate reports and educational materials.

-Proficiency in
* Microsoft Office, 365
* and similar software tools for data management, communication, presentations and documentation.

-Familiarity…