Project Forester II

State of South Carolina; Kingstree (SC); On-site; USD 57,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Telecommuting options

Job summary

State of South Carolina Forestry Commission seeks a Project Forester II to lead forest management outreach and write management plans supporting sustainable forestland production, clean air and water, wildlife habitat, aesthetics and wildfire prevention.

The role involves assisting landowners, conducting FireWise activities, and representing the agency at local meetings. Location options include Kingstree or Florence, SC with a starting salary visible in the posting.

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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 sustainable production, 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 Southeast 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.

Skills

Strong communication

Public outreach

Emergency response

Education

Forestry degree (BSc/MSc/PhD)

Job description

Job Responsibilities

The Responsibilities Of The Project Forester II

• 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 Southeast 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.

Minimum And Additional Requirements

• 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.

Additional Comments

• 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.

Starting salary $57,435-$69,813.

Benefits For State Employees

The state of South Carolina offers eligible employees generous benefits, including health and dental insurance; retirement and savings plan options; and paid vacation and sick leave. Plus, work-life balance programs such as telecommuting and flexible work schedules are available to employees of some state agencies.

Insurance Benefits

Eligible employees may enroll in health insurance, which includes prescription coverage and wellness benefits. Other available insurance benefits include dental, vision, term life insurance, long term disability and flexible spending accounts for health and child care expenses.

Retirement Benefits

State employees are also offered retirement plan options, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans. Additionally, eligible employees may elect to participate in the South Carolina Deferred Compensation Program, which is a voluntary, supplemental retirement savings plan offering 401(k) and 457 plan options.

Workplace Benefits

State employees may also be eligible for other benefits, including tuition assistance; holiday, annual and sick leave; and discounts on purchases, travel and more.

Note:

The benefits above are available to most state employees, with the exception of those in temporary positions. Employees in temporary grant and time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some or none of these benefits as benefits are associated with each position type. For these positions, contact the hiring agency to determine what benefits may be available.