Forester 2

State of West Virginia; Charleston (WV); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

State employee benefits

Job summary

State of West Virginia is seeking personnel to perform forest management in Wetzel County, focusing on fire prevention, preparedness, and suppression. The role includes training forest wardens, patrollers, and firefighters, supervising suppression efforts, and investigating forest fires.

Additional duties include assisting landowners with technical advice, stewardship planning, and reporting on insects and diseases, while coordinating with other agencies as needed.

Qualifications

• Formal forestry education at degree level as required.
• Experience in field forestry and forest management activities.
• Licensure requirements or progress toward licensure as a forester or forestry technician.

Responsibilities

• Perform forest management in Wetzel County under supervision.
• Conduct fire prevention, preparedness and suppression activities.
• Education and outreach to media, groups, schools, and individuals about fire prevention.
• Recruit, train and check equipping of forest fire wardens, patrollers, and firefighters.
• Supervise forest fire suppression efforts and investigate forest fires.
• Spot-check logging operations and assist in logger training and compliance.
• Assist landowners with technical advice and stewardship plans; check insect/disease reports.
• Support other agencies and perform additional duties as required.

Skills

Forest management

Fire prevention

Public communication

Technical assistance

Forestry inspections

Education

Associate degree in Forest Technology

Bachelor's degree in Forestry

Job description

Nature of Work

Under direct supervision, works at a training level with specialization in the performance of technical and field work. Primary responsibility will be forest management in Wetzel County. Fire prevention, preparedness, and suppression; fire prevention message to media, groups, schools, and individuals; recruits, trains, and checks equipping of forest fire wardens, patrollers, and firefighters; supervises and directs forest fire suppression efforts and investigates forest fires. Conduct spot checks and complaint investigations on logging operations, help in logger training, and in logger assistance regarding the Logging Sediment Control Act. Assist landowners by providing technical assistance and advice, prepares stewardship plans, and checks reports of insect and disease. Help other agencies and employees as needed or required. Performs other duties as requested.

As a condition of employment, an inquiry into job-related information will be completed, which may include, but is not limited to, criminal records, abuse registry records, driving records, employment history, education and training. Failing to cooperate with this process, providing false or incomplete information, or discovery of disqualifying information will result in denial irrespective of then discovered.

Minimum Qualifications

• Training: Associate degree in a Forest Technology program recognized by the Society of American Foresters OR a Bachelor's degree in a forestry program accredited by the Society of American Foresters.
• Experience: One year of full-time or equivalent part-time paid experience in the field of forestry.
• Special Requirements: Must have a current license as a registered professional forester or a registered forestry technician or be in the process of obtaining professional licensure. Must have a valid driver's license. Must take and pass a physical examination within the first six months of employment and submit to annual follow-up examinations. Failure to pass the initial examination will result in termination of employment. Failure to pass a subsequent examination may result in reassignment.
• Positions must meet the qualifications for and become a Special Natural Resources Police Officer at the earliest opportunity following employment and maintain this commission throughout the period of employment in the position. This requirement may be waived at the discretion of the State Forester.

State employment offers a variety of benefits.

Note: All college, university or vocational school education, licensure or certification must be verified by attaching a copy of an official transcript, license, or certificate to your online application or by emailing it to the West Virginia Division of Personnel at: [e-mail]. Job duty descriptions of all experience MUST be included in the Work History section of your online application or be clearly stated on your attached resumé in order for them to be considered as qualifying experience toward the minimum qualifications. Please include details of daily job duties on your online application or resumé.