Area Forester-Headwaters District

Virginia Department of Forestry; Wise (VA); On-site; USD 46,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The Virginia Department of Forestry is seeking an Area Forester for the Headwaters District in the Western Region. This permanent position has residency requirements; the incumbent must live within Wise or Scott County within six months of hire and will report to the District Forester.

The role provides professional leadership in natural resources management, land use planning, and forest health, and involves coordinating with partner agencies, local government, and the public.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of silviculture, forest measurements, wildfire suppression, prescribed burning, urban & community forestry, watershed protection, and forest health.
• Ability to work independently.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with agencies, local planners, cooperators, and the public.
• Public speaking skills and experience.
• Demonstrated excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Ability to navigate forested terrain on foot.
• Willingness to travel statewide and stay overnight.
• Experience with PC and Microsoft Office software.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional assistance in natural resources management and protection.
• Support land use planning, land conservation, community forestry, watershed and riparian management.
• Provide forest resource information to partner agencies, local government, private businesses and citizen groups.
• Support informed local decision-making on Virginia's natural resources; lead wildfire prevention and suppression; enforce laws.

Skills

Silviculture

Forest measurements

Wildfire suppression

Prescribed burning

Urban forestry

Watershed protection

Forest health

Independent work

Organizational skills

Public speaking

Communication

Driver's license

Terrain navigation

Travel willingness

Tools

GIS mapping

Microsoft Office

Job description

Title: Area Forester-Headwaters District

State Role Title: Natural Resource Spec III

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

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Department of Forestry

Location: Western Office Abingdon

Agency Website: www.dof.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Department of Forestry is seeking to fill an area forester position in our Headwaters District in the Western Region. This is a permanent position with residency requirements. Incumbent must live within Wise or Scott County within six months of hire. This position reports to the District Forester.

Duties: Incumbent provides professional assistance, as a scientific expert, in program delivery for the following areas: natural resources management and protection; land use planning; conserving the land base; community forestry; watershed and riparian forest management; conservation education; and forest health. Also, provides forest resource information to partner agencies, local government, private businesses. non-profit and conservation organizations, and citizen groups. Helps facilitate more informed decision-making regarding Virginia's natural resources at the local level; provides leadership in the prevention and suppression of forest fires; and enforces the water quality, and fire laws.

Minimum Qualifications

• Knowledge in silviculture, forest measurements, wildfire suppression, prescribed burning, urban & community forestry, watershed protection, and forest health


• Ability to work independently


• Excellent organizational skills


• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with personnel from various state and federal agencies, local planners, cooperators, and the public


• Public speaking skills and experience


• Demonstrated excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skill


• 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 PC and Microsoft Office software required

Additional Considerations

• Knowledge of GIS mapping and data base programs


• Two years of professional forestry experience

Special Instructions

Must be able to obtain Commercial Drivers License and Commercial Pesticide Applicators Permit within twelve months of employment. As a first responder on 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 pass a criminal background check and a drug test.

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.