Community Forester -Rappahannock District

Virginia Information Technologies Agency•Manassas, VA

15h•$49,495 - $67,200•Remote

About The Position

The Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) is seeking to hire a Community Forester for our Rappahannock District in the Central Region. This position will focus mainly on supporting urban & community forestry projects and programs in Northern Virginia. DOF community foresters provide professional assistance, direction, and outreach to private citizens, local governments, cooperating agencies, and non-government organizations regarding the DOF's urban and community forestry (U&CF) program. The U&CF program includes but is not limited to technical assistance, education, and outreach to expand, maintain, and enhance urban and community forests. In addition to U&CF duties, the Community Forester will also support departmental rural forest operations including forest management planning, conservation, water quality protection, and wildfire protection. The Community Forester position reports to the District Forester and implements the agency's forest management program at the local level.

Requirements

Experience in technical and professional forestry work, arboricultural, or horticulture
Demonstrated knowledge of tree identification, silviculture, forest measurements, wildfire suppression, prescribed burning, watershed protection, and forest health
Experience planting trees and riparian buffers
Experience or training in developing forest management plans including planting, site preparation, invasive species control
Knowledge and experience developing and leading educational programs for youth and adults
Ability to work independently
Excellent organizational skills
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with personnel from various state and federal agencies, local planners, cooperators, and the public
Public speaking skills and experience
Demonstrated excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills
Valid driver’s license
Ability to negotiate different types of forested terrain on foot
Ability to travel around the state and stay overnight on occasion
Experience with and ability to use a PC and Microsoft Office software required

Nice To Haves

Experience in technical or professional urban based natural resource management work
Experience using Geographic Information Systems, GPS units, and digital mapping tools
ISA certified arborist
Must be able to obtain a Virginia Commercial Pesticide Applicator's License within 6 months of employment.
Must be able to obtain Commercial Driver’s License within 12 months of employment.
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 be drug tested and pass a criminal background check.
All employees may be required to provide support during emergency situations; this may include nights, weekends or holidays as the need arises.

Responsibilities

Fostering activities that promote the importance of trees and forests to an urban audience
Providing professional forest management advice to forest landowners in both urban and rural settings through technical assistance and forest management plan development
Developing and utilizing partnerships with local governments, nongovernmental organizations, partner agencies, and other community groups to deliver forestry education and conservation information
Promoting and administering state and federal cost-share programs to support forest management projects
Assessing and addressing forest health concerns
Representing DOF at events including presentations, meetings, and media events
Promoting green infrastructure planning, and supporting DOF Riparian Buffer work
Preventing and suppressing wildland fires, including enforcing Virginia's fire laws
Inspecting logging jobs for compliance with Virginia's Silvicultural Water Quality Law