Area Forester-Headwaters District

About the role

The Area Forester position in the Headwaters District (Western Region) is a permanent role with the Virginia Department of Forestry, based at the Western Office in Abingdon. The incumbent must reside within Wise or Scott County within six months of hire and reports to the District Forester. The role serves as a scientific expert in natural resources management, land use planning, community forestry, watershed and riparian forest management, conservation education, forest health, and related program delivery, while also providing forest resource information to partner agencies, local governments, businesses, nonprofits, and citizen groups.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional assistance as a scientific expert in program delivery for natural resources management and protection
• Land use planning
• Conserving the land base
• Community forestry
• Watershed and riparian forest management
• Conservation education
• Forest health
• Provide forest resource information to partner agencies, local government, private businesses, non-profit and conservation organizations, and citizen groups
• Help facilitate more informed decision-making regarding Virginia's natural resources at the local level
• Provide leadership in the prevention and suppression of forest fires
• Enforce water quality and fire laws

Requirements

• Knowledge in silviculture, forest measurements, wildfire suppression, prescribed burning, urban & community forestry, watershed protection, and forest health
• Ability to work independently
• Excellent organizational skills
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with personnel from various state and federal agencies, local planners, cooperators, and the public
• Public speaking skills and experience
• Demonstrated excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skill
• Valid driver's license
• Ability to negotiate different types of forested terrain on