State Lands Forest Tech/State Lands Forester/Forester - State Lands Specialist

Georgia Forestry Commission; Athens (GA); On-site; USD 48,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

The Georgia Forestry Commission is seeking qualified professionals to manage State Lands properties, coordinate timber sales, and supervise forest management activities on public lands. You will work with federal and state partners to meet management objectives, perform field measurements, and ensure timber sale integrity.

Roles involve writing plans, conducting inventories, overseeing reforestation, and using GPS/ArcGIS for mapping.

Qualifications

• Entry requirements include an associate degree in forestry, forest resources, or related field with three years of forestry experience.
• For Forester roles, a SAF‑accredited bachelor's degree is required; knowledge of timber markets and forest ecology is expected.
• Experience with GIS tools, navigation, and field data collection is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Prepare timber harvest plans and conduct GEPA reviews.
• Conduct timber cruises, mark SMZ lines, and manage timber sale processes.
• Coordinate reseeding, prescribed burns, and road/stream crossing projects.
• Operate UAVs for property assessment and assist law enforcement with timber theft investigations.

Skills

Timber markets knowledge

GPS/ArcGIS

Data collection

Forest management

Inspections

Education

Associate's degree in forestry or related field

Bachelor's degree in forestry or related field

Tools

Word

Excel

ArcGIS

GPS tools

Job description

Explore a World of Opportunity with the State of Georgia!We are the force that drives Georgia!Georgia State Government is a large enterprise, composed of various agencies and entities with a common goal to improve the lives of Georgia's more than 10 million citizens!Join Team Georgia and impact lives everyday while receiving a robust benefits package designed for every stage of your career!Job Title:State Lands Forest Tech/State Lands Forester/Forester - State Lands SpecialistAgency:Georgia Forestry CommissionJob Requisition ID:JR0000006141Shift:Any (United States of America)Compensation Details:FORESTER TECH: $47,606.00STATE LANDS FORESTER: $52,000.00FORESTER – STATE LANDS SPECIALIST: $62,470.46Job Description:Job Opening: State Lands Forest Tech - SMLT 1 – NRT070 or State Lands Forester – Forester 1 – NRP020Forester - State Lands Specialist – NRP023Pay: Forester Tech: $47,606.00 or 10% whichever is greater, for internal candidates promoting. State Lands Forester: $52,000.00, lateral transfer for field foresters that are not registered yet.Forester – State Lands Specialist: $62,470.46 or 10%, whichever is greater, for internal candidates promoting that are registered foresters.With limited supervision, administers GFC’s State Lands Program. Responsible for and ensures Georgia’s public forest are well managed, healthy, and growing sustainable forest products. Works primarily with U.S. Forest Service and when needed with state and federal partners to include the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, GA-DNR, UGA, GA-DOC, GDOT, etc….to develop and accomplish forest management objectives on public land. Through data collection, assist GFC’s Law Enforcement Department with investigations of timber theft.EXAMPLES OF DUTIES: Under limited supervision, perform various forest management activities.Timber Sales duties may include:· Produce timber harvest plans.· Assist with performing Georgia Environmental Policy Act (GEPA) reviews related to timber sales.· Conduct timber cruising, timber sale area and SMZ line marking and timber marking and GPS field work & produce maps.· Workup timber cruises and establish minimum acceptable bids.· Assist with conducting of timber sale bid openings.· Conduct timber harvest inspections and coordinate with timber buyers and loggers to ensure contractual compliance.· Conduct reconciliation of timber sale settlements and load card security related to timber sales.· Update and maintain timber sale records on the GFC Timber Sale System.Forest Management duties may include:· Write and/or update forest management plans for public properties.· Assist with maintaining/updating shape files for public properties.· Coordinate/supervise forest management activities on state and federal lands, to include but not limited to herbicide treatments, road construction and fire line construction.· Coordinate/supervise reforestation efforts and conduct seedling survival surveys.· Develop prescribed burning plans and coordinate, supervise and conduct prescribed burning.· Diagnose insect/disease/invasive plant infestations and make recommendations.· Operate Unmanned Aerial Systems to collect information and photographs related to properties under management.· Supervise and conduct Common Stand Exam inventories on federal lands.· Operate farm tractor and cutter/bush hog in maintaining State properties.Timber Transaction Complaint duties may include:· Supervise and conduct stump cruise field work.· Workup stump cruises.· Produce timber volumes and values related to stump cruises, produce maps of complaint areas and put in format for use by Law Enforcement Department.Entry Requirements: Forest Tech requirements – Associates Degree in forestry, forest resources, or other forestry major and three years’ experience in the forestry field.Forester requirements – Bachelor's degree in forestry, forest resources, or other forestry major from a SAF accredited college or university. Working knowledge of timber markets, forest management, and forest ecology including conservation values such as water, wildlife management, endangered species, forest pests and other important natural resources. Knowledgeable of Best Management Practices, especially pertaining to road construction, stream crossings, and all phases of timber harvesting. Experience developing, writing, and implementing forestry management plans. Some in-state, overnight travel will be required as well as occasional out-of-state travel.Preferred Qualifications: A working knowledge of timber sale transactions, logger supervision, conducting timber inventories, and accounting procedures for common methods of timber sales. Proficiency in Word, Excel, standard forester field tools and use of GPS/ArcGIS for basic map creation.Minimum Qualifications:Equal Employment Opportunity EmployerThe State of Georgia does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, or other protected categories in employment or the provision of services.Qualified applicants may request reasonable accommodation when needed during the application and/or screening process by contacting the appropriate agency Human Resources department.