Area Forester-Five Forks District

Job Duties

The Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) is seeking a field forester in the DOF Five Forks District, focused primarily in Brunswick County. DOF foresters provide professional forestry assistance and advice to Virginia's forest landowners to support the DOF mission of protecting and developing healthy, sustainable forest resources for Virginians.

• Assisting forest landowners with management of their forestland through technical assistance and forest management plans.
• Evaluating forestland and harvested sites to provide scientific forest management and regeneration guidance.
• Connecting private forest landowners to state and federal cost share programs that support forestry and wildlife habitat management projects.
• Promoting the establishment of new forested riparian buffers.
• Responding to and identifying forest health issues, including invasive pests and plants, and providing management advice to protect forest health.
• Congducting forestry related education and outreach to groups and individuals.
• Coordinating with local governments, state agencies, conservation groups, and citizen organizations.
• Preventing and suppressing wildfires.
• Protecting water quality by inspecting timber harvests and enforcing Virginia’s silvicultural water quality laws.

Requirements

Demonstrated knowledge of tree species identification, silvics of Virginia native tree species, and forest soils. Southern yellow pine silviculture training or experience. Knowledge and/or training related to forest measurements/biometrics. Experience or training in identifying forest health issues and implementing integrated pest management strategies, training or experience with pesticide use on forest land. Demonstrated ability to develop scientific forest management plans Demonstrated ability to use standard forester's tools including increment borer, diameter tape, prism, & clinometer to cruise stands of timber. Knowledge or training related to forest harvesting systems and Virginia’s Silvicultural Best Management Practices for Water Quality. In addition, DOF foresters must have the ability to work independently, have excellent organizational skills, have the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with state and federal agencies, local planners, cooperators, and the public, have demonstrated written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills, and have the ability to use a PC and Microsoft Office software.

Qualifications

Minimum requirements for this position: Demonstrated knowledge of tree species identification, silvics of Virginia native tree species, and forest soils. Southern yellow pine silviculture training or experience. Knowledge and/or training related to forest measurements/biometrics. Experience or training in identifying forest health issues and implementing integrated pest management strategies, training or experience with pesticide use on forest land. Demonstrated ability to develop scientific forest management plans Demonstrated ability to use standard forester's tools including increment borer, diameter tape, prism, & clinometer to cruise stands of timber. Knowledge or training related to forest harvesting systems and Virginia’s Silvicultural Best Management Practices for Water Quality. In addition, DOF foresters must have the ability to work independently, have excellent organizational skills, have the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with state and federal agencies, local planners, cooperators, and the public, have demonstrated written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills, and have the ability to use a PC and Microsoft Office software.

Additional Considerations

Top candidates for this position should demonstrate the following qualifications in their application: Experience and/or training in wildland firefighting and/or prescribed burn management including Virginia Prescribed Burn Manager certification. Training and/or experience with Geographic Information systems, GPS use, online mapping tools, and basic forest surveying. Experience in applied silviculture and forest management techniques. Special Instructions You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position. Must be able to obtain Commercial Driver's License and Commercial Pesticide Applicators Permit within twelve months of employment (training provided). As a responder on wildfires, must be willing and able to be on call during Spring and Fall fire seasons. Must pass moderate physical fitness test, per Federal guidelines. The test consists of walking 2 miles in 30 minutes carrying a 25-pound pack. Selected candidate is required to pass a criminal background check and a drug test. The Virginia Department of Forestry is an Emergency Response agency, as such, all employees may be required to provide support during emergency situations; this may include nights, weekends or holidays as the need arises.

Contact Information

Name: Kristina Clore
Phone: 434-529-7244
Email: kristina.clore@dof.virginia.gov