District Forester

North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services; North Carolina; On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is seeking a District Forester responsible for supervising a seven-county area, managing forest protection, wildfire suppression, and environmental programs. Ideal candidates will have a background in forestry and leadership skills, with opportunities for significant community interaction and emergency response. This role is crucial for maintaining state forest resources and ensures adherence to protective regulations.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of forest management and tactical firefighting required.
• Experience in supervising and evaluating staff performance.
• Must maintain a budget and oversee training programs.

Responsibilities

• Supervise forest management programs for a seven county area.
• Act as Incident Commander for complex fire scenarios.
• Develop and manage district safety programs and budgets.

Skills

Forestland Management

Wildland Fire Suppression

Budget Management

Leadership

Safety Protocols

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in Forestry

Registered Forester

Job description

District Forester | Careers with the State of NC page has loaded.

***This position is open ONLY to current North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services employees or former Department of Agriculture & Consumer Service eligible for RIF priority reemployment consideration as described by GS 126***

The North Carolina Forest Service is a team of professionals who provideforest protection, emergency response, resource management and environmental education to the residents and landowners of North Carolina through a variety of programs. The NC Forest Service provides services to the 100 counties in North Carolina.

The District Forester position has wildland firefighter and forest management duties and is responsible for carrying out the Agency's mission supervising and conducting program management over a (7) seven county area. Programs include but are not limited to forest protection, forest management, water quality, information & education, and other administrative programs. The position is expected to communicate effectively with all parties in both oral and written formats. Supervision involves using knowledge, skills, and accepted management principles to coach, mentor, evaluate performance and conduct disciplinary actions as needed. Functions as the lead hiring manager in the district conducting interviews and completing hiring documentation per department standards. Develops annual work plans for assigned employees; Manages personnel time to maintain emergency response readiness with minimal overtime; Develops and manages both the District and County budgets; Develops and implements district safety program to include investigating all accidents at the district level; Ensures enforcement of forest protection laws and Forest Practices Guidelines within the district; Ensures adherence to State, Department, and NCFS polices; Is responsible and accountable for all property assigned to the district; Provides direction on all staff training, and NCFS program delivery; Ensures that district and county staff provide appropriate wildland fire suppression and all-hazard response to incidents; Acts as Incident Commander on larger, more complex, and urban interface fires and provides guidance to the counties on the use of the Incident Command System. The District Forester works closely with local government officials, politicians, cooperators, media, and other agency personnel to promote and implement the Department's and NCFS mission. This individual is expected to participate on Regional and State Incident Management Teams.

Description of Work

***This position is open ONLY to current North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services employees or former Department of Agriculture & Consumer Service eligible for RIF priority reemployment consideration as described by GS 126***

The North Carolina Forest Service is a team of professionals who provideforest protection, emergency response, resource management and environmental education to the residents and landowners of North Carolina through a variety of programs. The NC Forest Service provides services to the 100 counties in North Carolina.

The District Forester position has wildland firefighter and forest management duties and is responsible for carrying out the Agency's mission supervising and conducting program management over a (7) seven county area. Programs include but are not limited to forest protection, forest management, water quality, information & education, and other administrative programs. The position is expected to communicate effectively with all parties in both oral and written formats. Supervision involves using knowledge, skills, and accepted management principles to coach, mentor, evaluate performance and conduct disciplinary actions as needed. Functions as the lead hiring manager in the district conducting interviews and completing hiring documentation per department standards. Develops annual work plans for assigned employees; Manages personnel time to maintain emergency response readiness with minimal overtime; Develops and manages both the District and County budgets; Develops and implements district safety program to include investigating all accidents at the district level; Ensures enforcement of forest protection laws and Forest Practices Guidelines within the district; Ensures adherence to State, Department, and NCFS polices; Is responsible and accountable for all property assigned to the district; Provides direction on all staff training, and NCFS program delivery; Ensures that district and county staff provide appropriate wildland fire suppression and all-hazard response to incidents; Acts as Incident Commander on larger, more complex, and urban interface fires and provides guidance to the counties on the use of the Incident Command System. The District Forester works closely with local government officials, politicians, cooperators, media, and other agency personnel to promote and implement the Department's and NCFS mission. This individual is expected to participate on Regional and State Incident Management Teams.

Environmental exposures are adverse weather, forest pests, hunters, intense heat, dust and smoke. Work hours are typically 8-5, Mon-Fri. Some work functions require evening, holiday and/or weekend work. Wildfire & disaster/emergency response functions require readiness 24/7. May be a member of incident management team, requiring response to incidents away from home and for extended periods of time. Some overnight travel required for emergency response and/or training.

Residency requirements will be discussed at time of interview.

Duty Station Location:

1413 Chadbourn Highway, Whiteville, NC 28472

Click Here to Learn more about State Employee Benefits .

The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services provides services that promote and improve agriculture, agribusiness, and forests; protect consumers and businesses; and conserve farmland and natural resources for the prosperity of all North Carolinians. The Department employs approximately 2,000 employees.

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Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Competencies

The Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities listed below, along with the Minimum Education and Experience requirements, are REQUIRED to qualify for this position. We will not review resumes in lieu of the Experience and Education listed on the application.

To qualify for this position, applicants must document on the application that they possess ALL of the following:

• Knowledge and/or experience in Forestland Management or assisting others with Forest Management prescriptions and/or planning.
• Knowledge and/or experience with wildland fire suppression strategies and tactics.
• Experience promoting agency programs, services, policies, and procedures with employees and customers.
• Experience managing and supervising employees and conducting employee performance reviews and/or evaluations.
• Knowledge and/or experience managing and maintaining a budget or funds allocated for projects or work-related programs.
• Knowledge, experienced, and skilled using the Incident Command System to respond to and manage wildland fires and/or other emergency all-hazard incidents.
• Possess strong leadership skills with the ability to positively influence both internal and external individuals or groups.
• Knowledge and/or experience promoting and implementing company or agency safety programs and protocols.
• Knowledge or experience maintaining, managing, and conducting improvements to facilities and property.
• Possess working knowledge and skilled with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint programs.

MANAGEMENT PREFERENCES:

• Knowledge and/or experience working as a manager or supervisor of a wildland fire suppression agency.
• Knowledge or experience with North Carolina's Forest Practices Guidelines.
• Qualified in the Incident Command System at the Type 3 Level of Command or General Staff.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

You may qualify by an equivalent combination of education and experience, either through years of education or years of directly related experience, or a combination of both.

Bachelor's degree in forestry from a Society of American Foresters (SAF) accredited institution and five years of related professional Forestry experience; or Registered by the NC Board of Registration for Foresters and five years of related professional post registration Forestry experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Necessary Special Requirement:

Those not registered at the time of hire must obtain registration as a Forester from the NC Board of Registration for Foresters within one year of employment.

Supplemental and Contact Information

Any employment offer may be less than the maximum of the range due to salary equity with similarly situated employees or the selected candidate's related education and experience.

Please follow the instructions to apply online. It is important that your application includes all your relevant education and experience. Text or attached resumes ARE NOT accepted as a substitution for a completed application. Applicants seeking veteran's/National Guard preference should submit a copy of their Form DD-214, NGB 23A (RPAS), DD256 or NGB 22.

All Law Enforcement positions, aviation safety-sensitive positions, and positions requiring a Pilot's License or a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) shall be subject to pre-employment drug testing. All positions requiring a Commercial Driver's License shall also be subject to pre-employment DMV physicals. Selected applicants must obtain a U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) medical certificate prior to employment. If a CDL is listed as a preference and the selected applicant has a CDL at the time of hire, then the CDL will become a requirement for the position.

* Note: When required, you must answer the question(s) for this position, or your application will be considered incomplete. *

Questions regarding this posting? Contact 919-707-3201.