FOREST AREA SUPERVISOR - 42002624 (FOR INTERNAL AGENCY EMPLOYEES ONLY)

State of Florida • Arcadia, FL

7d • $56,859 - $76,888 • Onsite

About The Position

The Forest Area Supervisor manages forestry and fire-control programs for an assigned geographic area and must be certified as a forestry firefighter under Chapter 633, Florida Statutes. The position may require performing Certified Wildland Firefighter tasks under Florida Forest Service policy. The incumbent manages assigned staff, budgets, equipment, and other resources; establishes procedures that ensure accountability and compliance; and develops and implements long-term forest management plans, including assisting with the Peace River State Forest management plan.

The supervisor oversees woodland inspections and silvicultural recommendations, timber harvesting and marketing assistance, reforestation, prescribed burning, pest and disease advice, and forest-products utilization support. The role also develops and directs fire prevention and control activities, including detection, suppression, training, equipment readiness, open-burning administration, and enforcement of applicable fire and timber-product laws. Other duties include personnel and interagency training, public education, budget preparation and reporting, facilities maintenance and construction, and maintaining relationships with landowners, industry, public agencies, local governments, and law enforcement.

The position is based at the assigned headquarters at 5135 NW Hwy 70, Arcadia, Florida. The employee must live within 30 miles of headquarters throughout employment, be available on call, and undertake occasional to moderate travel, including travel for emergencies as needed. The role requires a valid driver license, a background screening including fingerprinting, and completion of designated training. A Certificate of Compliance, including satisfactory completion of an approved firefighter training program, is required; permanent status cannot be obtained without it. This opportunity is limited to current employees of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Requirements

• Current employee of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services; only current agency employees will be considered.
• Meet one of the following education and forestry experience combinations: high school diploma or equivalent and six years of forestry experience; bachelor’s degree with a major course of study in Forestry and two years of forestry experience; or master’s degree with a major course of study in Forestry and one year of forestry experience.
• Possess a valid driver license.
• Be a high school graduate or equivalent and at least 18 years of age.
• Meet statutory background and character requirements, including no disqualifying convictions or dishonorable discharge, and submit a fingerprint card with the required processing fee.
• Be in good physical condition as determined by the prescribed medical examination.
• Be a non-user of tobacco or tobacco products for at least one year immediately preceding application, evidenced by a sworn affidavit.
• Obtain a Certificate of Compliance, including satisfactory completion of a Division-approved firefighter training program; permanent status requires receipt of the certificate.
• Be fire certified as a forestry firefighter under Chapter 633, Florida Statutes.
• Live within 30 miles of the assigned headquarters in Arcadia throughout employment.
• Pass a background screening, including fingerprinting.
• Successfully complete all required position training within the designated period.

Responsibilities

• Recruit, schedule, supervise, train, and evaluate personnel; administer discipline and maintain related documentation.
• Manage assigned program budgets, staff, vehicles, computers, cell phones, and other resources efficiently and accountably.
• Establish operational procedures and processes that ensure accountability and compliance with Florida Forest Service and department policies.
• Develop and carry out a long-term forest management program for the assigned geographic area, including assisting with and implementing the Peace River State Forest management plan.
• Coordinate and supervise woodland inspections, silvicultural recommendations, timber harvesting and marketing assistance, reforestation, prescribed burning, insect and disease recognition and control advice, and forest-products utilization assistance.
• Develop and carry out fire control and prevention programs, including forest fire detection, suppression, and pre-suppression activities.
• Help train and equip rural fire departments; set fire-control work goals, complete program work, and report results to affected county commissions and municipalities.
• Enforce applicable fire and timber-product laws and maintain FFS-owned fire equipment in emergency-response condition.
• Administer the open-burning program and ensure the safety of supervised personnel.
• Train assigned personnel in fire control, forest management, and state lands management; coordinate training for fire departments, landowners, and related agencies.
• Coordinate and supervise public information and education about FFS programs, particularly forest fire prevention.
• Prepare anticipated budget requests, administer approved funds, and report budget status.
• Supervise maintenance and construction of FFS-owned facilities, including houses, towers, offices, and maintenance shops.
• Maintain contacts with public and governmental leaders, forest-industry personnel, and law-enforcement agencies on forestry and FFS issues.
• Complete required position training within the supervisor-designated timeframe and established performance standards.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• State of Florida Special Risk Retirement package
• Annual uniform allotment
• Annual boot allotment
• Annual and sick leave
• Nine paid holidays and one personal holiday each year
• State group insurance options, including health, life, dental, vision, and supplemental insurance
• Retirement plan options with employer contributions
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Tuition waivers

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: High school or GED