Area Forester-Southern Rivers District

Hiring range: $45,739.00 - $60,000.00

About the role

The Virginia Department of Forestry is seeking to hire an Area Forester for the Southern Rivers District in the Central Region. Area Foresters spend most of their time outside providing professional forestry advice and assistance to private landowners. This position reports to the District Forester and implements the agency's forest management program at the local level.

This Area Forester will focus on providing services in Lunenburg County as part of the Southern Rivers District, which includes the counties of Appomattox, Charlotte, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, and Prince Edward. Within 6 months of hire, the chosen candidate must reside in Lunenburg County or within 30 minutes of the Victoria office within the district boundary. This position is classified as having a home-based duty location, though a designated DOF office in Victoria is available as needed. A take-home state-owned vehicle, laptop, smartphone, and mobile printer will be provided.

Responsibilities

• Providing professional forest management advice to forest landowners through technical assistance and forest management plan development
• Administering state and federal cost-share programs to support forest management projects
• Assessing and addressing forest health concerns
• Establishing and managing riparian buffers to protect streams, waterbodies, and wetlands
• Educating the general public and organizations on the benefits of trees and forests
• Preventing and suppressing wildland fires, including enforcing Virginia's fire laws
• Inspecting logging jobs for compliance with Virginia's Silvicultural Water Quality Law

Requirements

• Demonstrated knowledge of tree species identification, silvics of Virginia native tree species, forest soils, and forest measurements/biometrics
• Knowledge and/or training on establishing riparian buffers and planting trees
• Experience or training in identifying forest health issues and implementing integrated pest management strategies, including pesticide use on forest land
• Demonstrated ability to develop scientific forest management plans
• Ability to use standard forester's tools including increment borer, diameter tape, prism, and clinometer to cruise stands of timber
• Knowledge or training related to forest harvesting systems and Virginia’s Silvicultural Best Management Practices for Water Quality
• Ability to work independently with excellent organizational skills
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with state and federal agencies, local planners, cooperators, and the public
• Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills
• Proficiency with a PC and Microsoft Office software
• Ability to work in forested, rough, and muddy terrain in all weather conditions
• Ability to negotiate rugged terrain on foot, climb on and off equipment, and work in smoky environments
• Ability to travel around the state and stay overnight on occasion
• Valid Virginia driver’s license or ability to obtain one before starting
• Must obtain a Virginia Commercial Pesticide Applicator's License within 6 months of employment
• Must obtain a Commercial Driver’s License within 12 months of employment
• Must pass a moderate physical fitness test (walking 2 miles in 30 minutes carrying a 25-pound pack) per Federal guidelines
• Must pass a drug test and criminal background check
• Must be available for on-call duty during Spring and Fall fire seasons

Preferred Qualifications

• 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 (GIS), GPS use, online mapping tools, and basic forest surveying
• Experience or training in applied silviculture and forest management techniques

Pay

$45,739.00 - $60,000.00