Forester I

Sowela; New York (NY); On-site; USD 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Pension

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Suffolk County Parks Department seeks a Forester I to manage tree planting and forest health within municipal lands. The role coordinates pruning, removal and replacement of vegetation, and monitors urban wildlife across properties.

Field work is ongoing with supervision by a professional. The role emphasizes proper tree planting techniques, disease and invasive species mitigation, and interaction with the public and other agencies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Forestry or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Four years working as an arborist/forester with disease/pest management experience.
• Valid NYS driver's license required.

Responsibilities

• Manage planting and forest health across municipal lands.
• Coordinate pruning, removal and replacement of vegetation.
• Monitor urban wildlife habitats and ensure sustainability.
• Provide public information about care and use of urban green spaces.
• Work with other agencies and institutions on green space projects.

Skills

Specialized equipment handling

Education

Bachelor's degree in Forestry or related field

High school diploma + 4 years arborist/forester experience

Tools

Aerial/ground assessment equipment

Job description

The Suffolk County Parks Department is currently seeking to fill the role of Forester I in the Environmental Division.

An employee in this class performs professional work in the management of tree planting and forest health within properties of a municipal agency. The incumbent coordinates, participates, and inspects the pruning, removal and replacement of vegetation, and protection of urban wildlife throughout municipal lands. May act as a lead worker on assignments. Work is performed under general supervision and is reviewed by a professional or administrative supervisor through consultations, periodic conferences and written reports.

**Does related work as required.

Key Elements Of The Role:

• Assesses environmental impact of properties, identifies issues of concern and assists in developing a mitigation plan;


• Assists in developing, coordinating and implementing a plan to control and improve the health of the properties by identifying the need for invasive species and disease mitigation;


• May utilize specialized equipment to perform aerial and ground level assessment of properties;


• Undertakes landscaping inventories;


• Drafts landscaping ordinances;


• Coordinates, supervises and inspects the pruning, burning, removal and replacement of infected properties;


• Assures proper tree planting techniques with emphasis on proper species selection, spacing and location;


• Monitors bird and wetland habitats ensuring wildlife and fauna sustainability;


• Provides information and answers questions to the general public regarding the care and use of properties in an urban environment;


• Works with other governmental agencies, public interest groups, educational institutions, and outlying municipal agencies that are impacted by adjacent green spaces.

Benefits For You Now And Your Future Health Insurance:

• Suffolk offers a comprehensive health insurance plan, including medical, dental, and vision coverage


• Pension


• Paid Time Off: Vacation (2 weeks to start) is accrued based on length of service; sick leave allows employees to take time off for illness without sacrificing pay; personal days can be used for a variety of reasons; and thirteen (13) paid holidays.


• Work-Life Balance: County jobs offer regular working hours, reducing the need for overtime or irregular shifts. This helps employees maintain a good work-life balance.

Overall, county government jobs offer a combination of competitive benefits and job security, making them an attractive option for many job seekers.

Salary: $49,642

Schedule: 8:30am-4:30pm Monday-Friday, with weekend coverage on as needed basis

Note: The office for this role is Timber Point Golf Course, Great River, NY 11739, but involves field work as well.

*This position does not offer relocation assistance at this time

**Sponsorship is not available for this role

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

(a) Graduation from a college with federally-authorized accreditation or registration by New York State with a Bachelor's degree in Forestry or a related field;

OR

(b) Graduation from a standard senior high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma and four (4) years working as an arborist or forester actively participating in the diagnostics and management of pests or disease, and the overall well-being of forest and tree health.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

At the time of appointment and during employment in this title, employees must possess a valid license to operate a motor vehicle in New York State.

This Role Is A Provisional Appointment

A provisional appointment, which occurs only in the competitive class, is a temporary appointment to a position for which no eligible list exists or for which an eligible list exists with fewer than three candidates who are willing to accept the position. In order to become permanent, the employee who is provisionally appointed must take the next examination for the position in question. The appointment to the position is then made from among the three highest scoring passing candidates who indicate their willingness to accept the position. Civil Service law does not compel the appointing authority to choose the provisional employee should he or she be one of the three candidates

Additional details regarding a Provisional Appointment can be reviewed at:

https://www.suffolkcountyny.gov/Departments/Civil-Service/faqs