Deputy Regional Forester

Department-of-Forestr; Virginia (MN); Hybrid; USD 78,000 - 93,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Forestry in Virginia is seeking a Deputy Regional Forester to direct field operations and implement agency programs across the Eastern Region. The role oversees forest health, cost share programs, watershed protection, wildfire response, and regional safety initiatives.

Based in Providence Forge with limited telework, you will supervise four district foresters and three program specialists, and collaborate with state/local partners to advance DOF goals.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of silviculture, forest measurements, and management practices.
• Experience implementing state and federal cost share programs.
• Training in wildland fire suppression strategies and tactics.
• Proficiency with a PC, Teams, and Microsoft Office, especially Excel.
• Experience supervising employees and applying supervisory techniques.
• Strong oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Experience developing and leading training programs.
• Experience building partnerships with nonprofits, educational institutions, and government partners.
• Valid driver’s license or ability to obtain one by hire date.
• Ability to traverse difficult forest terrain on foot.

Responsibilities

• Manages and oversees region’s participation in agency programs including forest protection and management.
• Evaluates program effectiveness and customer needs to improve operations.
• Supervises three program specialists and four district foresters.
• Sets and tracks regional and district performance measures.
• Reviews and approves forest management plans.
• Leads the regional safety program and safety committee.
• Manages wildfire response preparedness, dispatch, and training.
• Supports regional hiring, onboarding, mentoring and training.
• Develops partnerships with state agencies, localities, and NGOs.

Skills

Silviculture

Forest measurements

Forest management plans

Excel

Supervisory techniques

Communication skills

Presentation skills

Partnership building

Driver's license

Field terrain navigation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Forestry

Tools

Teams

Microsoft Office

Job description

Title: Deputy Regional Forester

State Role Title:Natural Resource Manager II

Hiring Range: $77,500.00-$92,500.00

Pay Band: 5

Agency: Department of Forestry

Location:Eastern Office New Kent

Agency Website:www.dof.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) is seeking a Deputy Regional Forester (DRF) to join the DOF Eastern Region to direct field operations and to implement the agency’s programs at the regional level. The Eastern Region encompasses 36 counties and the cities of Richmond, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake and Williamsburg. This position reports to the Eastern Region Forester.

This role will support rural and community forestry activities, coordinating DOF operations in forest management, forest health, conservation, cost share programs, water quality protection, outreach, and wildfire suppression/protection. The DRF supervises the region’s four District Foresters and three program specialists.

DRC duties include but are not limited to:

• Manages and oversees the region’s participation in agency programs including forest protection; fire prevention; forest management; cost share; urban and community forestry; watershed & riparian forest management; and state lands management.
• Evaluates program effectiveness and customer needs to continually improve agency operations and procedures.
• Supervises three program specialists and four District Foresters in the region.
• Sets and tracks regional and district performance measures.
• Reviews & approves forest management plans.
• Leads the regional safety program and guides the region’s safety committee
• Manages the region’s wildfire response preparedness by directing dispatch, developing and leading training, coordinating credentialing, and reviewing fire reports to ensure consistency & accuracy.
• Supports regional hiring, onboarding, mentoring, and training processes.
• Develops partnerships with state agencies, localities, and nongovernmental organizations to promote and expand the DOF mission.

Location: This position reports to the DOF's Eastern Region Office located in Providence Forge. Limited teleworking options are available (typically 1 day per week). An assigned vehicle, parked at the Regional Office, is available for travel to locations away from the office.

Within 6 months of hire, the successful candidate must reside within 70 miles of the DOF's Eastern Region Office in Providence Forge.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Knowledge of silviculture, forest measurements, forest management plans, and forest management practices common to Virginia.
2. Experience implementing state & federal cost share programs
3. Training and experience in wildland fire suppression strategies and tactics
4. Proficiency using a PC, virtual collaboration tools (Teams) and Microsoft Office software, especially Microsoft Excel.
5. Training or Knowledge of supervisory techniques & practices.
6. Demonstrated effective oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills
7. Demonstrated presentation skills and ability to develop & lead successful training programs.
8. Experience building and maintaining partnerships with non-profit organizations,
   educational institutions, and members of Federal, state, and local governments.
9. Valid driver’s license holder or ability to obtain one by the date of hire.
10. Ability to negotiate different types of forested terrain on foot including traversing logging debris, heavy brush, mud, swamps and other adverse terrain.

Additional Considerations

• Experience supervising, coaching, and training employees.
• Experience managing wildland fire incidents in a leadership role.
• Demonstrated organizational skills managing tasks, deadlines, and resources; prioritizing work, problem solving, and ensuring efficient team workflows.

Must hold a Virginia Pesticide Applicators License or be able to obtain one by the date of hire. This position is not considered an initial responder for wildland fire or other emergency response situations. However, the selected candidate is expected to be on call during Spring and Fall Fire Seasons to direct fire suppression activities or serve in an incident management and support role. Selected candidate is required to pass a criminal background check. In accordance with the Code of Virginia, to utilize the title of "deputy regional forester" one must have received a baccalaureate or higher degree from a Society of American Foresters accredited degree program. Otherwise, the successful candidate will use the title of "deputy regional manager". 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.