Forestry Assistant

County of Los Angeles•Los Angeles, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Oversees and conducts field work, including inspections, manual labor, and landscaping, by directing field crews (Forestry Technicians, volunteers, and vendors). Engages in manual seed collecting, field reforestation (e.g., removing invasive plant species and planting native species), and native plant propagation in nurseries. Determines the type, number, and placement of trees to be planted, and manages tree nurseries. Uses a chainsaw to thin forests and applies herbicides, insecticides, and other chemicals for weed abatement. Operates Class B commercial vehicles and tows chippers/trailers to complete forestry-related projects. Conducts enforcement inspections under the supervision of Deputy Foresters by inspecting properties (e.g., brush clearance inspections, oak tree ordinance inspections) and communicating compliance findings with property owners to monitor compliance with laws and regulations. Serves as a departmental representative at community events (e.g., county fairs, job fairs, school presentations) by coordinating, scheduling, and giving presentations or informal talks regarding forestry activities and conducting field demonstrations to educate the public. Prepares forestry projects by evaluating physical conditions (e.g., environmentally sensitive areas, defensible space requirements), conducting site preparation, and selecting appropriate plant species for planting and removal to protect life, property, and the environment. Evaluates regulatory compliance by reviewing and analyzing inspection information in accordance with state and county codes and ordinances, and coordinates corrective measures to protect life, property, and the environment. Develops Geographic Information Systems maps by collecting fire perimeter data and hiking uneven terrain and collecting forest management data to utilize silvicultural techniques to accurately assess forest health. Staffs the 24-hour facility at Henninger Flats visitor center/museum by giving guided field tours, participating in education and conservation programs, patrolling campgrounds, rendering emergency medical services to the general public, and covering night shifts in the absence of lower-level staff to provide a safe venue for outdoor recreational activities. Responds to 24-hour emergency incident needs by performing support roles in logistics (e.g., supply unit, ground support unit, facilities unit, and resource unit) to support the needs of the incident.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited college with specialization in forestry or a related field.
A valid California Class C Driver License is required to perform job-related essential functions.
A valid California Class B Commercial Driver License with water tank, air brake and passenger endorsements is required within one year from the date of appointment and prior to completion of probationary period.
Successful applicants for this position will be required to obtain and present a copy of their driving record from the California State Department of Motor Vehicles before being appointed.
Vision: Acuity - At least 20/70 in each eye without correction, correctable to 20/30 in each eye.
Vision: Color Perception - Anything other than minor hue impairment is disqualifying.
Hearing: Applicants cannot be medically qualified if the hearing in either ear shows greater than a 40 dB loss as averaged in the four test frequencies of 500, 1000, 2000 and 3000 Hz; nor may there be greater than a 45 dB peak loss at any one of the test frequencies.
Persons appointed to this class shall obtain Emergency Medical Technician-1 (EMT-1) certification through successful completion of the departmentally provided EMT-1 training program, or from a school, or an EMT program accredited by the local Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Agency and successfully pass the National Registry for Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) basic exam within one year from time of appointment.

Nice To Haves

Related field includes but is not limited to Urban Forestry, Forestry Recreation, Recreation Administration, Landscape Architecture, Wildfire, Wildfire Management, Natural Resources Management, Botany, Environmental Sciences (Ecology), Agriculture, Horticulture, and Arboriculture. All related fields may be reviewed for content and curriculum emphasis.

Responsibilities

Oversees and conducts field work (e.g. Inspections, manual labor, landscaping) by directing field crews (Forestry Technicians, volunteers, and vendors)
Engages in manual seed collecting, field reforestation (i.e. removing invasive plant species and planting native species), native plant propagation in nurseries
Determines the type, number and placement of trees to be planted, and manages tree nurseries
Uses a chainsaw to thin forest, and applies herbicides, insecticides, and other chemicals for weed abatement
Operates Class B commercial vehicles and towing chippers/trailers in order to complete forestry related projects
Conducts enforcement inspections under the supervision of Deputy Foresters by inspecting properties (e.g. brush clearance inspections, oak tree ordinance inspections)
Communicates compliance findings with property owners, in order to monitor compliance of laws and regulations
Serves as departmental representative at community events (e.g. county fairs, job fairs, school presentations) by coordinating, scheduling, and giving presentations or informal talks regarding forestry activities
Conducts field demonstrations in order to educate the public
Prepares forestry projects , by evaluating physical conditions (e.g. environmentally sensitive areas, defensible space requirements), conducting site preparation, and selecting appropriate plant species for planting and removal
Evaluates regulatory compliance by reviewing and analyzing inspection information in accordance with state and county codes and ordinance
Coordinates corrective measures in order to protect life, property, and the environment
Develops Geographic Information Systems maps by collecting fire perimeter data
Hikes uneven terrain and collecting forest management data in order to utilize silvicultural techniques to accurately assess forest health
Staffs the 24 hour facility at Henninger Flats visitor center/museum by giving guided field tours
Participates in education and conservation programs
Patrols campgrounds
Renders emergency medical services to the general public
Covers night shifts in the absence of lower-level staff in order to provide a safe venue for outdoor recreational activities
Responds to 24 hour emergency incident needs by performing support roles in logistics (e.g. supply unit, ground support unit, facilities unit and resource unit)