Forester (EMNRD #10115044)

New Mexico Department of Justice; Tierra Amarilla (NM); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The New Mexico Forestry Division seeks a Project Forester to oversee the timber harvest program and forest restoration projects across the district. You will coordinate contractors, support fire program activities, and ensure regulatory compliance while working with private landowners, tribes, and local governments.

Ideal candidates will have field forestry experience, GIS skills, and grant/contract writing abilities.

Qualifications

• Field work experience in forest management and landowner relations.
• Experience with grant/contract administration, reporting and compliance.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills for diverse partners.
• Working knowledge of Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping and data collection.
• Certifications in wildland fire management preferred or required.

Responsibilities

• Develop, coordinate, and manage forest management projects and timber harvest programs.
• Draft/release RFPs, issue timber permits, and review timber harvest applications.
• Enforce forest practice regulations with private landowners and ensure safety during fire suppression.

Skills

Field work experience

Grant/contract/report writing

Written and oral communication

GIS mapping

Wildland fire management certificates

Education

Bachelor's degree in forestry or related natural science

Job description

For more Job Requirements & Classification Description:

Interviews are anticipated to be conducted within two weeks of closing date.

The New Mexico Forestry Division retains lead responsibility for wildland fire management on all non-federal, non-tribal, and non-municipal lands, maintaining fire suppression capacities and emphasizing public and firefighters¿ safety. The Forestry Division promotes healthy, sustainable forests and watersheds in New Mexico for the benefit of current and future generations.

Why does the job exist?

This is a professional forestry position requiring advanced knowledge, skills and abilities to provide assistance to private landowners and tribes, local governments, and state and federal land management partner agencies in the management of forests and watersheds. The position exists to assist landowners and partners to meet their goals and objectives which may include improving forest health and wildlife habitat, generating income, restoring forest and watershed conditions, reducing wildfire risk, utilizing prescribed fire, and sequestering carbon. The position provides technical assistance for climate change adaptation including adjustments for longer fire season, higher temperatures and greater variability in precipitation including prolonged drought and high-intensity storm events. This position acts as an agent to negotiate timber sale contracts, inspect timber harvests for compliance with state regulations, develop projects and procure funding for projects, establish partner collaboration for the implementation and oversight of projects and associated funding sources. Further, the position coordinates the procurement of contractors for forest restoration and treatment services. The position is also responsible for assisting local economies and statewide resources and considering the environmental impact on natural resources as a result of future climate change and mitigation of these impacts. The position consults on fire suppression, fire prevention and prescribed burning through education; considering the effect of forest pathology and entomology on natural resources and implications of climate change impacts. Lastly the position will assist with training of partner organizations in forest management, wood product utilization, and spatial forest and fire management planning.

How does it get done?

This position is responsible for programs such as Timber Harvest Program and assists the District Forester with Wildland - Urban Interface (WUI). The duties include writing stewardship plans, drafting and releasing requestsfor proposal (RFP), issuing timber permits, and reviewing timber harvest applications. As the Project Forester they will be required to enforce state forest practice regulations with private landowners, maintaining a safe work environment during fire suppression activities and assisting in resolving disputes between forestry thinning contractors and private forest landowners. The position is also responsible for assuring that the Division stays in compliance with the applicable state laws and regulations.

1. Develop, coordinate and manage forest management projects by overseeing the timber harvest permit program, promoting forest and watershed management best practices, and providing technical assistance to landowners, tribes, local government and state and federal land managers with goals of achieving multiple benefits for the public, keeping these forested lands in a productive and healthy condition for future and present generations, and increasing the economic and environmental benefits for the public and landowners.
2. Coordinate and manage Forest and Watershed Restoration Projects across the district
3. Support the District's Fire Program and New Mexico Prescribed Fire Act activities in the district

Who are the customers?

Primary customers are private forest land-owners, cooperating natural resource agencies, local governments, tribal nations, and non-federal forest landowners.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will have experience in the following:

• Field work experience.
• Grant, agreement, contract and report writing experience.
• Excels in both written and oral communication.
• Working knowledge of Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping and data collection.
• Certifications in wildland fire management.

Bachelor's degree in forestry; or a bachelor's degree in a related natural science and six (6) months related experience. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling four and one-half (4 ½) years may substitute for the required education and experience.

Employment Requirements

Must maintain and possess a current New Mexico Driver's License and Defensive Driving Certificate

Working Conditions

Work is preformed both in office and field setting. Employee may be exposed to inclement weather conditions and required to walk in steep rugged terrain. Employee may be exposed to excessive noise from power equipment and fire suppression apparatus. Employee may be required to work with supervised minimum security inmates. May be required to work evenings, weekends and holidays.

Bargaining Unit Position

This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.