Forest Technician-New River District

Virginia Information Technologies Agency • Floyd, VA

5d • $37,000 - $50,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Forestry is seeking to fill a Forest Technician position in our New River District encompassing the counties of Carroll, Floyd, Grayson, Pulaski, Bland, Wythe, Patrick, Henry and Franklin in the Western Region. This is a permanent position with residency requirements. Incumbent must live within Pulaski County or western Floyd County within six months of hire. This position reports to the District Forester. Incumbent performs paraprofessional technical forest management work in assigned work area.

Requirements

• Natural resources and/or agricultural training / experience
• Basic wildland firefighting knowledge / experience
• Effective written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to effectively and efficiently work with minimal supervision
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse group of individuals
• Ability to perform basic math functions
• Strong organizational skills
• Ability to correctly complete basic reports
• 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

• Knowledge and working experience of Best Management Practices for forestry and logging
• Experience in heavy equipment maintenance and operation
• Extensive training and experience in wildland fire fighting with a current red card
• Experience and demonstrated experience in public speaking

Responsibilities

• Inspecting harvested tracts to ensure compliance with Virginia's Silvicultural Water Quality Law
• Enforcing the Forest Fire, Water Quality, and Seed Tree Laws
• Protecting forested land in accordance with the Department’s Fire Readiness Plan as a responder
• Using heavy equipment in fire suppression and other activities
• Providing fire suppression training to local part-time crews and cooperators
• Assisting with fire prevention programs
• Collecting field data
• Providing oversight to contractors and crews on tree planting projects
• Participating in special initiatives/projects as designated

Benefits

• Residency requirements
• Confirmation of receipt when application and/or résumé is submitted successfully
• Ability to obtain a Class B Commercial Driver’s License within twelve 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, prior to employment offer (walking 2 miles in 30 minutes carrying a 25-pound pack)
• Required to be drug tested and pass a criminal background check
• May be required to provide support during emergency situations; this may include nights, weekends or holidays as the need arises

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed