Area Forester-Dan River District

Virginia AG; Virginia; Hybrid; USD 46,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Take-home state-owned vehicle

Laptop provided

Smartphone

Mobile printer

Job summary

The Virginia Department of Forestry is seeking an Area Forester for the Dan River District, Central Region. This role focuses on private landowner guidance, forest management program implementation, and reporting to the District Forester.

A home-based duty location is allowed with an optional DOF office in Victoria for use. Responsibilities include advising landowners, administering cost-share programs, addressing forest health, and educating the public about tree and forest benefits.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of tree species identification and forest measurements.
• Establishing riparian buffers and planting trees.
• Experience or training in identifying forest health issues and pest management.
• Ability to develop scientific forest management plans.
• Proficient with forester tools for cruising timber (increment borer, diameter tape, prism, clinometer).
• Knowledge of harvesting systems and Virginia’s Silvicultural BMPs for Water Quality.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional forestry advice to private landowners and develop forest management plans.
• Administer state and federal cost-share programs for forest projects.
• Assess and address forest health concerns.
• Establish riparian buffers to protect streams and wetlands.
• Educate the public on benefits of trees and forests.
• Prevent and suppress wildland fires and enforce fire laws.
• Inspect logging jobs for compliance with water quality laws.

Skills

Tree species ID

Riparian buffers

Forest health

Forest management plans

MS Office

Driving

Field measurement tools

Tools

Increment borer

Diameter tape

Prism

Clinometer

Job description

Title: Area Forester-Dan River District

State Role Title:Natural Resource Spec III

Hiring Range: $45,739.00 - $60,000.00

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Department of Forestry

Location:Central Office Mecklenberg

Agency Website:www.dof.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Department of Forestry is seeking to hire an Area Forester for our Dan River District in the Central Region. Area Foresters spend most of their time outside providing professional forestry advice and assistance to private landowners. This position reports to the District Forester and implements the agency's forest management program at the local level.

• Providing professional forest management advice to forest landowners through technical assistance and forest management plan development
• Administering state and federal cost-share programs to support forest management projects
• Assessing and addressing forest health concerns
• Establishing and managing riparian buffers to protect streams, waterbodies, and wetlands
• Educating the general public and organizations of the benefits of trees and forests
• Preventing and suppressing wildland fires, including enforcing Virginia's fire laws
• Inspecting logging jobs for compliance with Virginia's Silvicultural Water Quality Law

Location: This Area Forester will be focused on providing services in Mecklenburg County. This position is part of the Dan River District, which includes the counties of Pittsylvania, Halifax, and Mecklenburg.

Within 6 months of hire, the chosen candidate must reside in Mecklenburg County or within 30 minutes of the Boydton office within the district boundary.

This position is classified as having a home-based duty location, however there is a designated DOF office located in Victoria that can be used as needed. A take home state-owned vehicle, laptop, smartphone, and mobile printer will be provided.

Minimum Qualifications

1. 1. Demonstrated knowledge of tree species identification, silvics of Virginia native tree species, forest soils, forest measurements/biometrics.
2. 2. Knowledge and/or training on establishing riparian buffers and planting trees.
3. 3. Experience or training in identifying forest health issues and implementing integrated pest management strategies, training or experience with pesticide use on forest land.
4. 4. Demonstrated ability to develop scientific forest management plans
5. 5. Ability to use standard forester's tools including increment borer, diameter tape, prism, & clinometer to cruise stands of timber.
6. 6. Knowledge or training related to forest harvesting systems and Virginia’s Silvicultural Best Management Practices for Water Quality.

In addition, DOF foresters must have the ability to work independently, have excellent organizational skills, have the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with state and federal agencies, local planners, cooperators, and the public, have demonstrated excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills, and have the ability to use a PC and Microsoft Office software.

DOF foresters spend much of their time working in the woods in all types of forested, rough, and muddy terrain in all weather conditions. Candidates must have the ability to negotiate different types of forested and rugged terrain on foot in all types of weather; ability to climb on and off equipment, ability to work in smokey environments; and can travel around the state and stay overnight on occasion. Foresters use a variety of equipment including 4x4 pickups, UTVs, transport trucks, and bulldozers. Candidates must have a valid Virginia driver’s license or the ability to obtain one before starting with the agency.

Additional Considerations

• Experience and/or training in wildland firefighting and/or prescribed burn management including Virginia Prescribed Burn Manager certification.
• Training and/or experience with Geographic Information systems, GPS use, online mapping tools, and basic forest surveying.
• Experience or training in applied silviculture and forest management techniques

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

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. As a responder for wildfires, must be 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.

The Virginia Department of Forestry is an Emergency Response agency, as such, all employees may be required to provide support during emergency situations; this may include nights, weekends or holidays as the need arises.

Contact Information

Name: Kristina Estep

Phone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.