FIA Forester

State of North Carolina; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Join the North Carolina Forest Service as an Inventory Forester, where you'll manage forest resource data collection and contribute to environmental education. This role involves fieldwork in diverse terrains and requires effective communication skills. Ideal candidates will have a forestry degree and experience with GPS technology. Enjoy the benefits of state employment while serving the community.

Benefits

Health Insurance

Paid Vacation

Retirement Plans

Qualifications

• Professional knowledge of scientific principles and forest management methods.
• Ability to identify North Carolina tree species and associated vegetation.
• Ability to work in steep/rough terrain.

Responsibilities

• Perform and supervise forest resource data collection.
• Conduct standing tree volume measurements and produce reports.
• Interact with the public and other professionals.

Skills

Communication

GPS Technology

Data Management

Education

Bachelor's degree in forestry

Job description

Description of Work

The North Carolina Forest Service is designated as an emergency response Division and is a team of professionals who provide forest protection, 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 Inventory Forester performs and supervises forest resource data collection; locates plots using GPS and aerial photos, establishes and measures permanent forest sample plots, identifies biota; classifies stand history; conducts standing tree volume measurements; produces and develops reports, interprets aerial photographs; uses, maintains, and calibrates forest measurement instruments and electronic data recorder; coordinates and conducts felled-tree volume studies; conducts ancillary studies to supplement and improve forest resource data collection and statistical modeling; canvases primary wood-using industries to determine timber product output. Position requires interaction with the public and other professionals which requires the ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing. Position may also be involved in various aspects of fighting forest fires and may be a member of a NC Incident Management Team.

Occasional heavy lifting required. Environmental exposures are adverse weather, forest pests, hunters, falling limbs, intense heat, rough terrain, dust & smoke. Some work functions require evening, holiday, and/or weekend work. Work requires overnight travel at least one week per month. Position requires overnight camping in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park.

• Residency requirements discussed at time of interview.
  
  

Duty Station location: 14 Gaston Mountain Road, Asheville, NC 28806

Official NC Forest Service uniform and a State-owned vehicle will be provided to support everyday job responsibilities.

Must have or be able to obtain within 30 days of hire, a valid NC Driver’s License.

Telephone Required.

Successful candidate must be able to complete USDA Forest Service FIA training and pass certification testing.

Must also be able to maintain good plot production levels and acceptable levels of data collection accuracy as a condition of employment.

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.

Click Here to Watch this video to Learn How to Apply.

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:

• Professional knowledge of scientific principles and concepts, and a practical knowledge of conventional forest management and measurement methods and techniques.
• General knowledge of the Forest Inventory & Analysis program.
• Ability to identify North Carolina tree species and associated vegetation.
• Ability to identify species composition and terrain features from aerial photographs and other remote sensing technology.
• Ability to use GPS and electronic data recorder technology.
• Ability to use a computer effectively for word processing, communication, data management and other uses.
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
• Ability to work in steep/rough terrain from the mountains to the coastal plans of North Carolina.
  
  

Management Preferences

• Passed and maintained Forest Inventory and Analysis Certification and Phase 2 plus Forest Health Monitoring training offered by USFS SRS/FIA.
• Working experience with USFS Forest Inventory and Analysis Field Manual 9.0.
• Experience with USFS SRS/FIA Field Tree Surveys.
  
  

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; or registered by the North Carolina Board of Registration for Foresters; 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 two years 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.

NOTE: For temporary, contract or other supplemental staffing appointments: There are no paid leave, retirement or other benefits associated with these appointment types.

For Permanent And Time-limited Appointments

Eligible employees have benefits that include employee health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, NC Flex (a variety of high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis), and paid vacation, sick, and community service leave, to name a few. Paid parental leave is available for eligible employees. Some benefits require 30 + hours work/week for participation.

01

Please select which best fits your education and/or experience. (Upload applicable documentation under attachments on the application.)

• I have graduated or am within 6 months of graduation with a Society of American Foresters (SAF) accredited bachelor's or master's degree
• I am registered by the NC State Board of Registration for Foresters (NCBRF) and have my NC Registered Foresters Number
• I am a registered forester in a state that has reciprocity with the NC State Board of Registration for Foresters
• I have documentation from the National SAF office that states my non-SAF accredited degree meets the current education criteria of the Certified Forester credential
• I have a document from the NC State Board of Registration for Foresters that states I can sit for the NCBRF Registration exam
• None the above apply to me
  
  

02

If You Have a Master's Degree, Select Which Type

• Master of Science in Forestry
• Master of Forestry
• do not have a master's degree in Forestry
  
  

03

Do you have or are you able to obtain within 30 days of hire, a valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No
  
  

04

Do you have knowledge of scientific principles and concepts, and a practical knowledge of conventional forest management and measurement methods and techniques? (If YES, under the “duties/skills” sections of your application specifically list in detail what and how this knowledge/skill and/or experience was used. This information must be on your application in order to receive credit and qualify for the position.)

• Yes
• No
  
  

05

Do you have knowledge of the Forest Inventory & Analysis program? (If YES, under the “duties/skills” sections of your application specifically list in detail what and how this knowledge/skill and/or experience was used. This information must be on your application in order to receive credit and qualify for the position.)

• Yes
• No
  
  

06

Have you ever been convicted of an offense against the law other than a minor traffic violation? (A conviction does not mean that you cannot be hired. The offense and how recently you were convicted will be evaluated in relation to the job for which you are applying).

• Yes
• No
  
  

07

If you answered "yes" that you have been convicted of an offense against the law other than a minor traffic violation, please explain the nature of the conviction and the date. If you answered "no" enter NA

08

To the best of your knowledge, have you or a company that you have worked for been given a warning letter, civil penalty, notice of violation or a settlement agreement by the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services or one of its divisions while you were employed with that company?

• Yes
• No
  
  

09

If you answered "yes" to the previous question, please explain the nature of the warning letter, civil penalty, notice of violation or settlement agreement, the date, and how it was resolved if you have knowledge of that information. If you answered "No", please type N/A.

• Required Question