Forest Technician-Dan River District

Virginia Department of Forestry; Virginia; Remote; USD 37,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Take-home state vehicle

Laptop and mobile printer provided

Job summary

The Virginia Department of Forestry is seeking a Forest Technician for the Dan River District, Mecklenburg County. This role focuses on outdoor work inspecting timber harvests, responding to wildfires, and providing technical forestry assistance to landowners, loggers, and professionals.

Selected candidates will work nationwide (Virginia) with a take-home state vehicle, laptop, and mobile printer provided. Residence near Mecklenburg County or Boydton is required within six months.

Qualifications

• Ability to negotiate various terrains on foot in all weather.
• Ability to travel around the state and stay overnight periodically.
• Valid driver’s license or ability to obtain one before starting.
• Experience with GIS, GPS and digital mapping tools.

Responsibilities

• Inspect logging jobs for compliance with Virginia's silvicultural BMPs.
• Provide BMP recommendations and assist with pre-harvest planning.
• Prevent and suppress wildland fires and enforce forest laws.
• Maintain equipment and coordinate with local governments and fire departments.

Skills

Strong communication

Team oriented

Independent worker

Tools

GIS

GPS units

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Title: Forest Technician-Dan River District
State Role Title: Natural Resource Spec II
Hiring Range: $37,000.00-$50,000.00
Pay Band: 3
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 (DOF) is seeking to hire a Forest Technician for the Dan River District in the Central Region. This position will be focused primarily on working in Mecklenburg County. Forest Technicians spend most of their time outdoors inspecting timber harvests, responding to wildfires, and providing technical forestry assistance to landowners, loggers, and forestry professionals

Duties Include, But Are Not Limited To

• Inspecting logging jobs for compliance with Virginia's Silvicultural Water Quality Law.
• Assisting loggers, timber buyers, and forestry professionals with pre-harvest planning and providing Best Management Practices (BMP) recommendations.
• Preventing and suppressing wildland fires, enforcing Virginia's forest fire laws
• Ensuring wildland firefighting equipment is maintained and ready to respond to wildland fires or other emergencies.
• GPS & GIS mapping
• Coordinating with local governments and fire departments
• Educating the public about the benefits of trees and forests
• Special projects including state forest or state lands management.
• Maintaining DOF facilities, vehicles, and equipment, including regular equipment exercise.

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

This position is 100% mobile. However, there is a designated DOF office located in Boydton that can be used as needed. A take home state-owned vehicle, laptop, smartphone, and mobile printer will be provided.

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

Minimum Qualifications

Candidates must have the ability to negotiate different types of forested, rough, and rugged terrain on foot in all types of weather; ability to climb on and off equipment, ability to work in smoky environments, be willing and able to work independently in remote locations and be able to travel around the state and stay overnight on occasion. Forest technicians use a variety of equipment including 4x4 pickups, UTVs, transport trucks, and bulldozers. Candidates must have a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain one before starting with the agency.

Qualifications

Candidates for this position should have knowledge or experience with technical or professional forestry, logging, or natural resource management related work. Candidates must be able to work independently in a team-oriented atmosphere, exhibit ability to multi-task, have demonstrated initiative in previous jobs, and communicate effectively in English. Other minimum qualifications:

• Knowledge of Virginia's forestry laws and best management practices (silvicultural BMPs).
• Able to identify common Virginia tree species.
• Demonstrated communication skills, organization skills, and public speaking experience.
• Experience using Geographic information systems (GIS), GPS units, and/or digital mapping tools.
• Experience with common forestry tools.
• Experience with and ability to use a PC and Microsoft Office software such as Excel.

Additional Considerations

Top candidates should demonstrate the following qualifications in their application:

• Holds a valid Commercial Driver's License (Class A or B)
• Experience with heavy equipment operations (bulldozer or related tracked equipment).
• Completion of basic wildland firefighting courses (NWCG: S-130, S-190, L-180; FEMA: ICs-100) and fire experience (prescribed burn or wildfire).

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 Driver's License (Class A or B) within six months of employment. Training provided as needed. As a responder on wildfires, must be willing and able to be on call during Spring and Fall fire seasons. Must pass moderate physical fitness test annually, per Federal wildland firefighting 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.