Forest Technician-Five Forks District

Commonwealth of VA Careers; Virginia (MN); On-site; USD 37,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Take-home vehicle

Laptop provided

Smartphone provided

Job summary

The Virginia Department of Forestry is seeking a Forest Technician for the Five Forks District. The role involves outdoor work inspecting timber harvests, responding to wildfires, and providing technical forestry assistance to landowners, loggers, and professionals.

You will focus on Amelia & Nottoway counties, carry a take‑home vehicle, and may be required to live in the area within 6 months. Training and equipment are provided for field duties.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of Virginia's forestry laws and BMPs.
• Able to identify common Virginia tree species.
• Demonstrated communication skills, organization skills, and public speaking experience.
• Experience using 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.

Responsibilities

• Inspect logging jobs for compliance with Virginia's Silvicultural Water Quality Law.
• Provide BMP recommendations to landowners, loggers, and forestry professionals.
• Prevent and suppress wildland fires; enforce forest fire laws.
• Maintain firefighting equipment and readiness for emergencies.
• GPS & GIS mapping; coordinate with local governments and fire departments.
• Educate the public about trees and forests; participate in special projects.

Skills

English communication

GIS/GPS mapping

Forestry tools

Driver's license

Independent work

Tools

GIS software

MS Excel

Digital mapping tools

Job description

Title: Forest Technician-Five Forks District

State Role Title: Natural Resource Spec II

Hiring Range: $37,000.00-$50,000.00

Pay Band: 3

Agency: Department of Forestry

Location: Eastern Office Dinwiddie

Agency Website: www.dof.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) is seeking a Forest Technician for the DOF Five Forks District in the Eastern Region. This position will be focused primarily on working in Amelia and Nottoway Counties. 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 DOF's Five Forks District, focused primarily in Amelia & Nottoway County.

This position is 100% mobile. However, there is a DOF office located in Amelia available 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 live in Nottoway or Amelia County.

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.

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

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.

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.

Contact Information

Name: Kristina Estep

Phone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

Note

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.