Good Neighbor Forester / Forestry Professional III - Limited Service

State of Vermont; Rochester (VT); On-site; USD 41,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

80% State paid medical premium

Dental plan for employees & families

12 paid holidays per year

State Pension and 457(b) plan

Tuition Reimbursement

Flexible spending accounts

Low-cost life insurance

Wellness program

Job summary

The State of Vermont invites applications for a Good Neighbor Forester / Forestry Professional III - Limited Service in Rochester, VT. This role is part of the Forests, Parks & Recreation department and supports federal partnerships on the Green Mountain National Forest under the Good Neighbor Authority.

Responsibilities include managing public forestlands for multiple benefits, developing long-range plans, coordinating timber sales, ensuring regulatory compliance, and supervising seasonal staff

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in forestry, natural resources, biological or earth science, or wildlife management AND four (4) years or more of experience in forestry, natural resources management, biological or earth science, or wildlife management, or an environmental field.
• OR
• Bachelor's degree in forestry, natural resources, biological or earth science, or wildlife management AND two (2) years or more of experience in forestry, natural resources management, biological or earth science, wildlife management or an environmental field.
• OR
• Master's degree or higher in forestry, natural resources, biological or earth science, or wildlife management AND one (1) year or more of experience in forestry, natural resources management, biological or earth science, wildlife management, or an environmental field.
• OR
• One (1) year or more as Forestry Professional II with the State of Vermont.
• OR
• Licensed as forester by the State of Vermont.

Responsibilities

• Manage public forestlands for multiple benefits, including timber production, wildlife habitat, water quality, and conservation.
• Support the development and implementation of long-range management plans for public forestlands, considering resource protection and public uses.
• Prepare timber sales on public forestlands, including conducting timber inventories, appraising timber value, planning harvests, identifying logging contractors via competitive bidding, negotiating contracts, and ensuring sustainable timber production.
• Ensure adherence to environmental regulations and applicable public forestland standards.
• Supervise seasonal forestry technicians.
• Engage in public outreach work by advising the public about forest management projects, and working with partners like conservation NGOs and adjacent landowners to keep them apprised of upcoming management activities.

Skills

Forestry

Public outreach

Team supervision

Timber bidding

Education

Associate’s degree in forestry or natural resources

Bachelor’s degree in forestry or natural resources

Master’s degree in forestry or related field

One year as Forestry Professional II

State of Vermont Forester license

Tools

Axes

Saws/chain saws

Shovels

Job description

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Title: Good Neighbor Forester / Forestry Professional III - Limited Service

Application Deadline Date: 10/08/2026

Department: Forests Parks & Recreation

Location: Rochester, VT, US

Position Type: Limited Service

Schedule Type: Full Time

Minimum Salary: $29.73

Maximum Salary: $46.49

Overview

FPR is seeking a Forestry Professional III, also known as the Good Neighbor Forester, to implement a series of forest management activities primarily on federal lands (Green Mountain National Forest) under a partnership between the USDA Forest Service and Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation that is authorized under the Good Neighbor Authority (GNA). The Good Neighbor Forester will complete the following job duties:

• Manage public forestlands for multiple benefits, including timber production, wildlife habitat, water quality, and conservation.
• Support the development and implementation of long-range management plans for public forestlands, considering resource protection and public uses.
• Prepare timber sales on public forestlands, including conducting timber inventories, appraising timber value, planning harvests, identifying logging contractors via competitive bidding, negotiating contracts, and ensuring sustainable timber production.
• Ensure adherence to environmental regulations and applicable public forestland standards.
• Supervise seasonal forestry technicians.
• Engage in public outreach work by advising the public about forest management projects, and working with partners like conservation NGOs and adjacent landowners to keep them apprised of upcoming management activities.

Vermont FPR and the US Forest Service have worked in partnership to manage Vermont's forests for decades, with a long history of sharing resources, expertise and knowledge in the areas of forest management, wildfire prevention, invasive species prevention, and recreation. Current US Forest Service policy is to collaborate directly with states to increase the active management of forest resources on federal land in a manner that reduces wildfire risk, promotes forest health, and supports the local forest economy. The GNA Authorizing Statute makes these partnerships possible. Supporting forest management on the Green Mountain National Forest will support Vermont FPR's goals by addressing forest health and wildfire risks that regularly cross boundaries between federal, state, and privately owned forests and support Vermont's forest products industry by getting more timber out to market.

Who May Apply

This position, Good Neighbor Forester / Forestry Professional III - Limited Service (Job Requisition #55808), is open to all State employees and external applicants. Please note that multiple positions in the same work location may be filled from this job posting.

Duties are frequently performed in a field setting; involving exposure to all types of weather conditions. Strength and agility are needed in traversing steep and rough terrain. They may use a variety of hand tools, such as axes, saws, and shovels, and power equipment, such as chain saws. A valid motor vehicle operator's license is required. Some work outside of regular working hours may be required. Strong and conflicting public opinions may be encountered.

Minimum Qualifications

Associate’s degree in forestry, natural resources, biological or earth science, or wildlife management AND four (4) years or more of experience in forestry, natural resources management, biological or earth science, or wildlife management, or an environmental field.

OR

Bachelor's degree in forestry, natural resources, biological or earth science, or wildlife management AND two (2) years or more of experience in forestry, natural resources management, biological or earth science, wildlife management or an environmental field.

OR

Master's degree or higher in forestry, natural resources, biological or earth science, or wildlife management AND one (1) year or more of experience in forestry, natural resources management, biological or earth science, wildlife management, or an environmental field.

OR

One (1) year or more as Forestry Professional II with the State of Vermont.

OR

Licensed as forester by the State of Vermont.

Special Requirements

Some positions may require the ability to obtain a Vermont forester's license within 6 months of hiring.

Total Compensation

As a State employee you are offered a great career opportunity, but it's more than a paycheck. The State's total compensation package features an outstanding set of employee benefits that are worth about 30% of your total compensation, including:

• 80% State paid medical premium and a dental plan at no cost for employees and their families
• Work/Life balance: 12 paid holidays each year and a generous leave plan
• State Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FMLI)
• Two ways to save for your retirement: A State defined benefit pension plan and a deferred compensation 457(b) plan
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Flexible spending healthcare and childcare reimbursement accounts
• Low cost group life insurance
• Incentive-based Wellness Program
• Qualified Employer for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program

The State of Vermont celebrates diversity, and is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect and meaningful inclusion that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The State does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, membership in an employee organization, family medical history or genetic information, or family or parental status. The State’s employment decisions are merit-based. Retaliatory adverse employment actions by the State are forbidden.