Woodland Ecologist I

Texas A&M • San Antonio, TX

10d • $4,500 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Woodland Ecologist I provides program leadership to multi-county Forest Health, Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) and Rangeland-Forest Stewardship initiatives by providing technical assistance and educational programs which promote and conserve the social, economic, and environmental benefits of trees, forests, woodlands, and other related natural resources. Also participates in Incident Response and other agency program delivery.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Forestry, Wildlife Biology, Rangeland Science, Environmental Management, Horticulture or closely related course of study.
• 0-1+ years of practical experience in forestry, wildlife biology, rangeland science, environmental management, horticulture or closely related course of study.
• Basic MS applications.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Work effectively with minimal supervision.
• Multi-task and work cooperatively with others.
• Valid Texas driver’s license.
• Must have or be able to attain Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) non-commercial Pesticide Applicators License within 180 days of employment.
• Must achieve and maintain Moderate level Work Capacity Test (WCT) - 2 mile walk in 30 minutes or less while carrying a 25lb pack) and obtain NWCF training Red Card Certification within 60 days of employment.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree in Forestry, Wildlife Biology, Rangeland Science, Environmental Management, Horticulture or closely related course of study.
• 2+ years of practical experience forestry, wildlife biology, rangeland science, environmental management, horticulture or closely related course of study.
• Working knowledge of ArcGIS and digital ortho-imagery applications.
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Networking
• ISA Certified Arborist.
• SAF Certified Forester.
• Current TDA Non-Commercial Pesticide Applicators License.
• NWCG Firefighter Type 2 or higher qualifications

Responsibilities

• Deliver the Texas Oak Wilt Suppression Project and/or Forest Health Program Initiatives to public and private stakeholders. Respond to concerned landowners with oak wilt problems by phone, email and performing site visits. Construct treatment plans and supervise implementation of cost-shared control measures. Prepare and deliver oak wilt presentations. Talk to landowner associations, write oak wilt articles and give workshops which also integrate stewardship, forest health, WUI and PLT.
• Deliver the Texas Forest Stewardship Program to communities and private, non-industrial landowners in Central Texas. Establish and maintain relations with state and federal agencies involved in conservation tree planting. Promote, through personal contact and mass media, the values of conservation tree planting. Provide on-site assistance to private landowners in the planning and planting of trees to achieve resource conservation goals.
• Provides and/or assists with development and delivery of local and regional workshops, training sessions, seminars and presentations to professional, partner and civic groups along with associated media events.
• Provides direct support/assistance to local, regional, and statewide Fire/Emergency Response efforts and other agency programs.

Benefits

• medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance
• retirement benefits
• paid time off
• health and lifestyle programs
• educational incentives
• tuition reimbursement opportunities
• ability to accrue compensatory time off
• overtime on emergency response
• a physical fitness incentive of $500 for passing the arduous test (walk three miles wearing a 45-pound pack in 45 minutes or less) each year.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level