Area Forester-Tidewater District
for headings: About the role, Responsibilities, Requirements, Qualifications, Skills, Benefits, Pay, Schedule. We must not repeat job title as heading. Must not include Job ID etc. Must preserve all substantive info, remove boilerplate (cookie/navigation/legal/EEO/equal-opportunity/scam-warning, duplicated lines, application instructions). Also remove contact info? Contact info maybe not needed? It's not boilerplate but maybe considered metadata; but we can keep as a short
maybe. However instruction: "Do NOT put Job ID / requisition numbers as headings — fold minor metadata into a short
or drop it." Contact info could be considered minor metadata; we could drop or put in a short
. Probably better to drop contact info as it's not essential to job description. Also remove "For more information visit: https://www.dhrm.virginia.gov/employeebenefits" maybe part of benefits? Could be included in Benefits section. We need sections: About the role (maybe a summary). Responsibilities (list duties). Requirements (maybe minimum qualifications). Qualifications (maybe additional considerations). Skills (maybe tools). Benefits (state vehicle, computer, cell phone, all VA state employee benefits). Pay (Hiring Range). Schedule? Not specified; we should not create Schedule section unless posting actually states them. No schedule info given, so omit. We must not create sections with filler like "commensurate with experience". Pay we have specific range, so include Pay section. Benefits: we have "State vehicle, computer, and cell phone provided. All Virginia state employee benefits are provided including paid holidays and vacation, healthcare, and a state retirement plan." Also link to benefits. So we can include Benefits section. About the role: we can summarize: "The Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) is seeking a field forester in Tidewater Virginia, focused primarily on the Northern Neck including Richmond County and Northumberland County." That's substantive. Responsibilities: list duties from "Duties Include But Are Not Limited To" bullet list. Requirements: Minimum Qualifications list. Qualifications: Additional Considerations (top candidates should demonstrate...). Could be separate section Qualifications or maybe Skills. But we have headings: Qualifications, Skills. We need to decide where to put what. The Additional Considerations includes experience/training in wildland firefighting, GIS, applied silviculture. Those are qualifications/skills. Could put under Qualifications. Skills: maybe tools: ability to use standard forester's tools, PC and Microsoft Office, ability to work independently, organizational skills, communication skills, ability to work in terrain, etc. Those are skills. We must not duplicate content. Let's parse. Minimum Qualifications bullet list: - Demonstrated knowledge of tree species identification, silvics of Virginia native tree species, forest soils, 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, training or experience with 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, & 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 excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills, and have the ability to use a PC and Microsoft Office software. - DOF foresters spend much of their time working in the woods in all types of forested, rough, and muddy terrain in all weather conditions. - Candidates must have the ability to negotiate different types of forested and rugged terrain on foot in all types of weather; ability to climb on and off equipment, ability to work in smokey environments; and can travel around the state and stay overnight on occasion. - Foresters use a variety of equipment including 4x4 pickups, UTVs, transport trucks, and bulldozers. - Candidates must have a valid Virginia driver’s license or the ability to obtain one before starting with the agency. Additional Considerations (top candidates should demonstrate): - 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 or training in applied silviculture and forest management techniques Also there are Special Instructions (which include more requirements): Must be able to obtain Virginia 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. These are also requirements/qualifications. We need to decide sections: About the role (summary). Responsibilities (list duties). Requirements (minimum qualifications + special instructions?). Qualifications (additional considerations). Skills (tools, PC, communication, ability to work independently, etc). Benefits (state vehicle, computer, cell phone, VA benefits). Pay (hiring range). Possibly also include location info? Not required as heading; could be in About the role paragraph. We must not create sections with filler. All sections we create must have substantive content. Let's craft. About the role: paragraph summarizing role and location. Responsibilities:
- ... each duty from "Duties Include But Are Not Limited To". We'll list them. Requirements: combine Minimum Qualifications and Special Instructions? Might be too much but okay. Could split: Requirements (minimum qualifications) and Qualifications (additional considerations). But we also have special instructions like obtaining CDL, pesticide applicator, physical fitness test, background check, emergency response. Those are also requirements. Could put them under Requirements as well. Skills: ability to use tools, PC, communication, independent work, organizational skills, ability to work in terrain, etc. Benefits: state vehicle, computer, cell phone, all VA state employee benefits including paid holidays, vacation, healthcare, retirement plan. Also link to benefits. Pay: hiring range $45,739.00-$60,000.00. We must not repeat job title as heading. Good. We must not include duplicated lines. Ensure we don't repeat same bullet. Let's extract duties list exactly: - 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. - Promoting and assisting with the development of riparian buffer projects. - Connecting private forest landowners to state and federal cost share programs that support forest and wildlife habitat management projects. - Responding to and identifying forest health issues, including invasive pests and plants, and providing management advice to protect & improve forest health. - Promoting conservation of the forest land base to landowners and local governments. - Conservation education and outreach to groups and individuals. - Coordination with local governments, state agencies, conservation groups, and citizen organizations. - Prevention and suppression of wildfires, inspection of timber harvests, and enforcing silvicultural water quality, timber theft, and wildland fire laws. That's 9 items. Now Minimum Qualifications list (I'll convert to bullet points): - Demonstrated knowledge of tree species identification, silvics of Virginia native tree species, forest soils, 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, training or experience with 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, & 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, excellent organizational skills, ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with state and federal agencies, local planners, cooperators, and the public, demonstrated excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills, ability to use a PC and Microsoft Office software. - Ability to work in the woods in all types of forested, rough, and muddy terrain in all weather conditions. - Ability to negotiate different types of forested and rugged terrain on foot in all types of weather; ability to climb on and off equipment; ability to work in smoky environments; ability to travel around the state and stay overnight on occasion. - Experience with equipment including 4x4 pickups, UTVs, transport trucks, and bulldozers. - Valid Virginia driver’s license or ability to obtain one before starting. Special Instructions (additional requirements): - Must be able to obtain Virginia 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: walking 2 miles in 30 minutes carrying a 25-pound pack. - Selected candidate required to pass a criminal background check and a drug test. - As an Emergency Response agency, employees may be required to provide support during emergency situations, which may include nights, weekends, or holidays as needed. Additional Considerations (top candidates should demonstrate): - 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 or training in applied silviculture and forest management techniques. Skills (maybe derived from ability to use tools, PC, communication, independent work, organizational skills, ability to work in terrain, etc.) But we already have many of those in Requirements. To avoid duplication, we could put tools and technical skills under Skills, and put soft skills under Requirements? But we need to avoid duplication. Let's think: The Minimum Qualifications includes ability to use standard forester's tools, ability to work independently, organizational skills, communication skills, PC/MS Office, ability to work in terrain, etc. Those are both skills and qualifications. Could split: Requirements = minimum qualifications (knowledge, experience). Skills = specific abilities (tools, PC, communication, independent work, organizational, terrain). But there is overlap. Maybe better: Use Requirements for minimum qualifications (knowledge, experience). Use Skills for abilities like using tools, PC, communication, independent work, organizational, terrain, etc. Use Qualifications for additional considerations (wildland firefighting, GIS, applied silviculture). That seems logical. Thus: - Requirements: list the minimum qualifications (knowledge of tree species, silvics, riparian buffers, forest health, management plans, tools knowledge, harvesting systems/BMPs, driver's license). Also maybe include special instructions? Those are also requirements but could be under Requirements as well. However special instructions are more like conditions; could be under Requirements as well. But to avoid too long, we could keep them under Requirements as additional bullet points. - Skills: ability to use standard forester's tools, PC/MS Office, ability to work independently, excellent organizational skills, ability to establish/maintain relationships, excellent written/oral/interpersonal communication, ability to work in woods in all terrain/weather, ability to negotiate terrain, climb on/off equipment, work in smoky environments, travel and stay overnight, experience with equipment (4x4 pickups, UTVs, transport trucks, bulldozers). Also maybe include ability to obtain CDL and