Forester

Proposed minimum salary: $4,500.00 monthly

About the role

The Forester provides administrative assistance to the assigned district to promote and execute the various agency programs within the district. Provides local leadership in the areas of emergency management, forest pest management, landowner assistance, and related programs, promotes and demonstrates the concept of team work in the district, region and state. The Forester also represents the State of Texas and the Texas A&M Forest Service (TAMFS) as a professional public servant in their attitude, actions and leadership. This is normally a training position for the District Forester career ladder.

This position will be filled in either Woodville or Kountze.

Responsibilities

• Equip NIPF landowners to make informed decisions regarding forest land management, including local administration of rural forestry programs, local leadership pertaining to natural resource issues, community forestry, and direct landowner assistance. May require exposure to harsh environmental conditions such as wind, sunlight, rain, and temperature extremes.
• Deliver Agency public affairs programs, including Conservation Education activities and participation in local economic development organizations. May require periods of long travel in a motor vehicle and extended night and weekend work in conjunction with volunteer organizations.
• Under the direction of the District or Regional Forester, supervise assigned staff and manage all local Agency service programs, including oversight of employee activities, training, facilities, grounds, equipment, and reporting.
• Support local county forest landowners association(s), including attending board and membership meetings, assisting with meeting programs, and development of association newsletters.
• Administer and support local protection and emergency response programs—forest pest mitigation, wildland fire suppression, capacity building, etc. Will be required to meet minimum physical fitness standards as established by the NWCG and obtain NWCG certification as determined by TAMFS Leadership. May include long hours in a fixed-wing aircraft and working long hours in harsh environmental conditions such as smoke, wind, rain, and extreme temperatures.
• Carry a cell phone to facilitate 24/7 communications and respond to dispatcher within 30 minutes of receiving an emergency call, notification, or alert.
• Respond to local wildland fire suppression and standby, including weekend response and other occasional emergency response (wildland fire, weather events, etc.) in other parts of the state/nation as directed.
• Manage and account for assigned credit cards in accordance with state law and agency policies.
• Other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions

This is a field-related job. Much of the work is done in remote forested locations under various geographic and climatic conditions. May require working long hours with minimal rest and in primitive conditions. Work is often outdoors in a harsh environment such as smoke, rough terrain, dusty roads, etc. May require operating heavy equipment with related exposure to equipment vibrations and noise.

• Persons serving in emergency response operations must meet a physical fitness standard, which includes successfully completing a two-mile walk in 30 minutes or less with 25 pounds.
• Emergency response may result in exposure to emotionally stressful situations for extended periods of time.
• Work may include out-of-town travel and overtime hours.
• Must carry a pager and/or cell phone device to facilitate 24/7 communications and respond to dispatcher within 30 minutes of receiving an emergency call, notification, or alert.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science or higher in Forestry degree (or equivalent) from an SAF-accredited school of Forestry.
• Commercial driver’s license (CDL) - Class A within 180 days of hire.

Preferred Qualifications

• Conservation and environmental education programming experience.
• Experience working with landowners, program implementation, and planning.
• SAF Certified Forester or TFA Accredited Forester.
• Non-commercial pesticide applicator’s license.
• Ability to utilize geographic information system/global positioning system (GIS/GPS) programs.

Skills

• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel).
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.

Benefits

Texas A&M Forest Service offers a competitive benefits package including:

• Medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance.
• Retirement benefits.
• Paid time off and health and lifestyle programs.
• Educational incentives and tuition reimbursement opportunities.
• Ability to accrue compensatory time off.
• Overtime pay for emergency response.
• Physical fitness incentive of $500 for passing the arduous test (walk three miles wearing a 45-pound pack in 45 minutes or less) each year.