Area Forester-Five Forks District
About The Position
The Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) is seeking a field forester in the DOF Five Forks District, focused primarily in Brunswick County. 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. Duties include but are not limited to: • Assisting forest landowners with management of their forestland through technical assistance and forest management plans. • Evaluating forestland and harvested sites to provide scientific forest management and regeneration guidance. • Connecting private forest landowners to state and federal cost share programs that support forestry and wildlife habitat management projects. • Promoting the establishment of new forested riparian buffers. • Responding to and identifying forest health issues, including invasive pests and plants, and providing management advice to protect forest health. • Conducting forestry related education and outreach to groups and individuals. • Coordinating with local governments, state agencies, conservation groups, and citizen organizations. • Preventing and suppressing wildfires. • Protecting water quality by inspecting timber harvests and enforcing Virginia’s silvicultural water quality laws. Location: This forester position is part of the DOF Five Forks District focused on serving Amelia, Brunswick, Dinwiddie, Greensville, Nottoway, and Prince George Counties. Work area office is in Dinwiddie County; however, this field position is home based and 100% mobile. State vehicle, laptop, mobile printer, and cell phone provided. Within 6 months of hire, the incumbent must live within Brunswick County or Greensville County, Virginia.
Requirements
- Demonstrated knowledge of tree species identification, silvics of Virginia native tree species, and forest soils.
- Southern yellow pine silviculture training or experience.
- Knowledge and/or training related to forest measurements/biometrics.
- 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
- Demonstrated 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 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 smoky environments
- Ability to travel around the state and stay overnight on occasion.
- 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 in applied silviculture and forest management techniques.
Responsibilities
- Assisting forest landowners with management of their forestland through technical assistance and forest management plans.
- Evaluating forestland and harvested sites to provide scientific forest management and regeneration guidance.
- Connecting private forest landowners to state and federal cost share programs that support forestry and wildlife habitat management projects.
- Promoting the establishment of new forested riparian buffers.
- Responding to and identifying forest health issues, including invasive pests and plants, and providing management advice to protect forest health.
- Conducting forestry related education and outreach to groups and individuals.
- Coordinating with local governments, state agencies, conservation groups, and citizen organizations.
- Preventing and suppressing wildfires.
- Protecting water quality by inspecting timber harvests and enforcing Virginia’s silvicultural water quality laws.
Benefits
- State vehicle, laptop, mobile printer, and cell phone provided.
- Training provided for Commercial Driver's License and Commercial Pesticide Applicators Permit.
- Willing and able to be on call during Spring and Fall fire seasons.
- Must pass moderate physical fitness test, per Federal guidelines. The test consists of walking 2 miles in 30 minutes carrying a 25-pound pack.
- Selected candidate is required to pass a criminal background check and a drug test.
- Employees may be required to provide support during emergency situations; this may include nights, weekends or holidays as the need arises.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
