Community Forester-Rappahannock District

Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) is seeking a Community Forester for the Rappahannock District in the Central Region. This position focuses on supporting urban and community forestry projects and programs in Northern Virginia, providing professional assistance, direction, and outreach to private citizens, local governments, cooperating agencies, and non-government organizations regarding the DOF's urban and community forestry (U&CF) program.

About the role

The Community Forester implements the agency's forest management program at the local level, reporting to the District Forester. In addition to U&CF duties, this role supports departmental rural forest operations, including forest management planning, conservation, water quality protection, and wildfire protection.

This position is home-based but may utilize DOF offices in Fairfax and Warrenton as needed. A take-home state-owned vehicle, laptop, smartphone, and mobile printer will be provided. The salary reflects a 12% cost-of-living adjustment for Northern Virginia. Within 6 months of hire, the chosen candidate must reside in Northern Virginia (approval by the Regional Forester).

Service area includes Fairfax and Arlington Counties, and the city of Alexandria, with broader coverage across the Rappahannock District, which encompasses Arlington, Culpeper, Fairfax, Fauquier, Greene, Loudoun, Madison, Orange, Prince William, Rappahannock, Spotsylvania, and Stafford counties, as well as the cities of Manassas, Manassas Park, Fredericksburg, Alexandria, Fairfax, and Falls Church.

Responsibilities

• Foster activities that promote the importance of trees and forests to an urban audience.
• Provide professional forest management advice to forest landowners in both urban and rural settings through technical assistance and forest management plan development.
• Develop and utilize partnerships with local governments, non-governmental organizations, partner agencies, and other community groups to deliver forestry education and conservation information.
• Promote and administer state and federal cost-share programs to support forest management projects.
• Assess and address forest health concerns.
• Represent DOF at events including presentations, meetings, and media events.
• Promote green infrastructure planning and support DOF Riparian Buffer work.
• Prevent and suppress wildland fires, including enforcing Virginia's fire laws.
• Inspect logging jobs for compliance with Virginia's Silvicultural Water Quality Law.

Requirements

• Experience in technical and professional forestry work, arboriculture, or horticulture.
• Demonstrated knowledge of tree identification, silviculture, forest measurements, wildfire suppression, prescribed burning, watershed protection, and forest health.
• Experience planting trees and riparian buffers.
• Experience or training in developing forest management plans, including planting, site preparation, and invasive species control.
• Knowledge and experience developing and leading educational programs for youth and adults.
• Ability to work independently and establish effective working relationships with personnel from various state and federal agencies, local planners, cooperators, and the public.
• Public speaking skills and experience.
• Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Ability to negotiate different types of forested terrain on foot.
• Ability to travel around the state and stay overnight on occasion.
• Experience with and ability to use a PC and Microsoft Office software.
• 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 be willing and able to be on call during Spring and Fall fire seasons as a wildfire responder.
• 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.
• As an Emergency Response agency, all employees may be required to provide support during emergency situations, including nights, weekends, or holidays.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in technical or professional urban-based natural resource management work.
• Experience using Geographic Information Systems (GIS), GPS units, and digital mapping tools.
• ISA Certified Arborist certification.

Pay

Hiring range: $51,227.00–$69,552.00 (Pay Band 4).