Service Forester

South Dakota State Government; Pierre (SD); On-site; USD 67,507,910 - 69,915,955; Full time

Job summary

South Dakota State Government's Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources in Pierre seeks a Service Forester to coordinate sub-awards and support Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) across the state. The role emphasizes evaluating tree health, providing technical guidance to communities, and assisting with grants and inventories.

You will lead field projects, participate in meetings and workshops, and help establish community forestry programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Forestry, Urban Forestry or related natural resources field; may substitute experience for education.
• Working knowledge of GIS (ArcGIS) is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate tree health and management issues in towns and communities.
• Provide technical advice to local communities, tree boards, landowners and organizations.
• Assist with urban forestry field projects and community grants.
• Coordinate and conduct tree care workshops and inventories.
• Respond to sick tree calls and manage tree health problems.

Skills

ArcGIS

Tree health

Public outreach

Workshop coordination

Tree species ID

Education

BS in Forestry

Tools

Clinometers

Diameter tapes

Prisms

Increment borers

Biltmore sticks

Measuring wheel

GPS devices

Hypsometers

Job description

Job ID: 36760

Agency: Department of Agriculture & Natural Resources - Resource Conservation and Forestry Division

Location: Pierre, SD

Salary: $23.56-$24.40 Hourly, depending on qualifications

Pay Grade: H

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

This position will be part of the division's Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) team and will coordinate sub-awards grant programs with the UCF staff across the state.

As the Service Forester you will:

• evaluate tree health and management issues in towns and communities;
• provide technical advice to local communities, tree boards, private landowners/homeowners, conservation districts, other agencies, and organizations;
• assist with special urban forestry field projects;
• participate in meetings, and workshops concerning urban forestry;
• assist with the community enhancement grants;
• assist communities to conduct urban tree inventories;
• coordinate and conduct tree care workshops;
• respond to sick tree calls;
• tree insect and disease management;
• assist communities with establishing and/or maintaining a community forestry program;
• prepare, review, and approve shelterbelt tree planting plans;
• other duties as assigned.

Normal work hours will be 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. This is a full-time position. Day travel is frequent, and overnight trips will average about 2-3 nights per month. Some air travel may be required to attend meetings or trainings out-of-state. This position will involve outdoor work and the ability to walk for extended distances on rough terrain.

For more information on the Department of Agriculture & Natural Resources, please visit https://danr.sd.gov/.

Licenses and Certifications:

• International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist once the individual has met the ISA certification requirements (Required to obtain and maintain).
• Pesticide application certificate from the State of South Dakota (Required to obtain and maintain).
• Valid driver's license (Required to have and maintain).

The Ideal Candidate Will Have:

• A Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry, Urban Forestry or a related natural resources profession (may be substituted for education and experience if that experience has prepared you to successfully carry out the duties of this position as outlined)
• A working knowledge of geographic information systems (ArcGIS) (Highly desirable).

Knowledge of:

• urban and community forestry programs;
• project design and management;
• dendrology;
• arboriculture;
• biology;
• biometrics and botany;
• forest mensuration;
• horticulture, hydrology, plant physiology, and silviculture;
• federal and state forestry laws and regulations, and department policies and procedures;
• identification of tree species and diseases, correct planting and pruning techniques, and care of trees;
• tree biology, soil management, tree protection, tree risk management;
• agroforestry - especially windbreaks and riparian buffers;
• forest certification programs.

Skill to use a variety of forestry tools and equipment:

• clinometers;
• diameter tapes;
• prisms;
• increment borers;
• Biltmore sticks;
• measuring wheel;
• compass
• data recorders;
• hypsometers;
• global positioning systems to collect data.
• As well as the skill to interpret data derived from the use of these tools.

Ability to:

• work productively in a remote field location with limited supervision;
• prioritize work to complete all assigned tasks correctly and on-time;
• drive a 4-wheel drive truck in a variety of weather conditions;
• conduct literature and technical reference searches;
• conduct soil survey research;
• use and interpret topographic maps;
• use Microsoft Office Suite;
• use digital graphic software, mapping programs, and GPS information uploading, downloading, and interpretation;
• write professional and technical reports that can be understood by both professional and lay persons;
• deal tactfully with others;
• communicate effectively both orally and in writing;
• work independently with minimal supervision, or with a group in a team setting;
• establish and maintain working relationships with co-workers and the public;
• keep records;
• diagnose tree health problems and determine the appropriate action to address tree planting and tree care needs.

This position is eligible for Veterans' Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.

The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.

The State of South Dakota offers $0 premium employee health insurance option plus eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information here .

This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.

'An Equal Opportunity Employer'