Area Forester-Southern Rivers District

Virginia Information Technologies Agency•Lunenburg, VA

11d•$45,739 - $60,000•Remote

About The Position

The Virginia Department of Forestry is seeking to hire an Area Forester for our Southern Rivers District in the Central Region. Area Foresters spend most of their time outside providing professional forestry advice and assistance to private landowners. This position reports to the District Forester and implements the agency's forest management program at the local level. Duties include, but are not limited to: Providing professional forest management advice to forest landowners through technical assistance and forest management plan development. Administering state and federal cost-share programs to support forest management projects. Assessing and addressing forest health concerns. Establishing and managing riparian buffers to protect streams, waterbodies, and wetlands. Educating the general public and organizations of the benefits of trees and forests. Preventing and suppressing wildland fires, including enforcing Virginia's fire laws. Inspecting logging jobs for compliance with Virginia's Silvicultural Water Quality Law. This Area Forester will be focused on providing services in Lunenburg County. This position is part of the Southern Rivers District, which includes the counties of Appomattox, Charlotte, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, and Prince Edward. Within 6 months of hire, the chosen candidate must reside in Lunenburg County or within 30 minutes of the Victoria office within the district boundary. This position is classified as having a home-based duty location, however there is a designated DOF office located in Victoria that can be used as needed. A take home state-owned vehicle, laptop, smartphone, and mobile printer will be provided.

Requirements

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 or training related to forest harvesting systems and Virginia’s Silvicultural Best Management Practices for Water Quality.
Ability to work independently
Excellent organizational skills
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with state and federal agencies, local planners, cooperators, and the public
Demonstrated excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills
Ability to use a PC and Microsoft Office software.
Ability to negotiate different types of forested and rugged terrain on foot in all types of weather
Ability to climb on and off equipment
Ability to work in smokey environments
Ability to travel around the state and stay overnight on occasion.
Must have a valid Virginia driver’s license or the ability to obtain one before starting with the agency.

Nice To Haves

Experience and/or training in wildland firefighting and/or prescribed burn management including Virginia Prescribed Burn Manager certification.
Training and/or experience with Geographic Information systems, GPS use, online mapping tools, and basic forest surveying.
Experience or training in applied silviculture and forest management techniques

Responsibilities

Providing professional forest management advice to forest landowners through technical assistance and forest management plan development
Administering state and federal cost-share programs to support forest management projects
Assessing and addressing forest health concerns
Establishing and managing riparian buffers to protect streams, waterbodies, and wetlands
Educating the general public and organizations of the benefits of trees and forests
Preventing and suppressing wildland fires, including enforcing Virginia's fire laws
Inspecting logging jobs for compliance with Virginia's Silvicultural Water Quality Law