Project Forester II

State of South Carolina; Florence (SC); On-site; USD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

The SC Forestry Commission is seeking a Project Forester II to provide forest management assistance to private landowners, write management plans, and administer cost-share programs. You will help with prescribed burns, wildfire response, and disaster readiness while representing the agency at local meetings.

This role may work in Florence or Kingstree and requires a forestry degree with at least 3 years of direct forestry experience, SC Registered Forester status, a fitness test, firefighter

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s, master's or doctorate degree in forestry from a college or university accredited by SAF with 3 years of direct forestry experience.
• Must be SC Registered Forester and able to pass fitness and drug tests.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and pass a background check.

Responsibilities

• Provide forest management assistance and outreach to landowners and the public to promote active management and wildfire risk reduction.
• Write forest management plans to produce multiple benefits including sustainable timber, clean air and water, wildlife habitat, aesthetics and wildfire prevention.
• Assist with prescribed burning, wildfire suppression, disaster response, and incident management as needed.

Skills

Forestry knowledge

Written communication

Emergency response

Education

Bachelor’s/Master’s/ Doctorate in Forestry

Job description

The Responsibilities of the Project Forester II:

Under general supervision, provides forest management assistance to private landowners to include preparation of forest management plans. Administers cost-share programs for the project. Assists with conducting prescribed burns, wildfire suppression, and disaster response. Represents the SC Forestry Commission at local meetings.

• Provides forest management assistance and outreach to landowners and the general public to promote active management of forestland and mitigate wildfire risk. Writes forest management plans to produce multiple benefits including the sustainable production of forest products, clean air and water, wildlife habitat, aesthetics and wildfire prevention. Administers cost-share programs and prepares reports. Assists landowners with implementation of forestry practices. Performs insect and disease activities. Represents agency at local meetings.
• Responds to wildfires both in-state and out-of-state through southeastern Compact requests and western wildfire assignments. Participates in FireWise activities to include conducting wildfire risk assessments for at-risk communities in the wildland urban interface and other wildfire prevention events. Responds to non-wildfire disasters, and participates in wildfire and disaster-related exercises as directed. Assists in basic wildfire investigations, burn site inspections, participates in incident management activities on large fire events. Supports Sector Fire Management Officers on fire suppression activities.
• Participates in opportunities for professional growth as directed such as working with specialty foresters and participating in and/or conducting training as directed to include wildland fire training (i.e. fireline refresher). Serves as acting Unit Forester or Sector Fire Management Officer when needed.
• Provides landowner services such as prescribed burning and timber marking in project area and elsewhere as directed.
• Participates in activities and/or projects in support of agency’s mission and performs other duties as required.

**Position has optional work locations in Kingstree and Florence. **

• A bachelor’s, master's or doctorate degree in forestry from a college or university accredited by the Society of American Foresters and three (3) years of direct forestry experience with the SC Forestry Commission.
• Required to be SC Registered Forester.
• Must pass the initial physical fitness test of walking two (2) miles in 30 minutes carrying a 25 lb pack or meet the agency's physical fitness program requirements.
• Must obtain firefighter registration with the Office of State Fire Marshal.
• Criminal background check.
• Drug and alcohol test are required.
• Must possess a valid Driver’s license.

• This position works in Florence and Dillon Counties. Must be a resident of South Carolina and must live in their area of responsibility or within a radius of 30 miles of their assigned work center.
• Considerable knowledge of forestry management techniques and practices. Considerable knowledge of fire suppression procedures and tactics. Considerable knowledge of the SC Forestry Commission regulations, policies and procedures. Ability to effectively communicate in writing and verbally. Ability to establish working relationships with employees, other agencies, and the general public. Ability to act effectively in emergency or stressful situations.
• Must be able to lift, walk, squat, climb and carry objects up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to work both indoors and outdoors in changing environmental conditions.
• Works a Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. schedule. Occasional overnight travel required.
• Position requires the employee to be subject to random, post incident/accident, reasonable suspicion and rehabilitation monitoring and drug and alcohol testing consistent with SCFC Drug-Free Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing. This position is designated as safety sensitive and essential.