Forestry Technician
Western Pennsylvania Conservancy has been dedicated to protecting and restoring the region’s exceptional natural places since 1932. As a member-based nonprofit organization, we work in cities and towns across Western Pennsylvania and rely on the help of thousands of members, partners, and volunteers. We are making a difference in our region’s water, land, and life for the benefit of wildlife and people who call Western Pennsylvania home, and for future generations.
About the role
The Forestry Technician supports the implementation of WPC’s community forestry and special projects initiatives throughout the region. The position provides technical forestry expertise and assistance for WPC’s urban and community forestry projects, and works collaboratively with the Urban Forestry Manager and project partners to ensure successful project delivery.
Responsibilities
- Provides forestry technical services for all regional community forestry projects including species selection and developing planting plans.
- Assists with all data collection and data management for regional community forestry and special projects for project planning, implementation, and maintenance.
- Assists with the oversight of contractors and contracted work related to community forestry projects, primarily planting site preparation and contracted tree plantings.
- Co-manages the logistics for community tree planting events with the Urban Forestry Manager and other relevant staff.
- Assists with the acquisition of top-quality tree stock at the best possible price; coordinates related quality management tasks for timely delivery of healthy and viable stock, appropriate to specific planting sites.
- Assists with report writing for tree inventory analyses, ecological assessments, planting and maintenance plans, and other technical reports on WPC’s community forestry and ecological analysis projects.
- Assists with quality control measures on all implemented projects with the Senior Director of Community Greening and Urban Forestry, and the Urban Forestry Manager.
- Gives presentations and represents WPC to the public, partners, and other stakeholders interested in WPC’s community forestry and ecological analysis projects.
- Performs additional duties and responsibilities as required.
Requirements
- High School Diploma
- International Society for Arboriculture (ISA) Arborist Certification
- Valid PA driver’s license
- Two years of experience in professional forestry work
- High proficiency in using the latest GIS software and managing geodatabases
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office
- Strong ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks concurrently
- Outstanding communications skills, both written and verbal
Preferred Qualifications
- Knowledge of urban and community forestry, local environmental issues, and regional needs
- Certificate in GIS
- Experience working with a wide variety of people, including community residents, municipal officials, and private and non-profit professionals
- A demonstrated interest in urban forestry and urban environmental initiatives
- Experience using the US Forest Service iTree suite of software tools for urban forestry analysis projects
- Ability to complete all physical requirements of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation
Physical Demands / Work Environment
- Ascends and descends stairways and/or ladders
- Stamina to conduct field investigations in rough terrain and exposure to adverse weather conditions
- Communicate, converse, exchange information in-person, telephone, and remotely
- Ability to utilize a keyboard
- Gross manipulation such as seizing, holding, grasping, turning, or otherwise working with hand(s)
- Ability to operate standard office equipment
- Ability to drive a motor vehicle
- Mobility to traverse throughout job location for up to 4 hours
- Pushing, pulling, lifting, and carrying up to 50 pounds
- Bending, twisting, stooping, crouching, kneeling, and crawling
- Reaching overhead, at eye level, and below shoulder level
- Ability to complete tasks independently
- Remain in a stationary standing position for up to 8 hours
- Remain in a stationary seated position for up to 4 hours
- Operating machinery, equipment, and/or power tools
- Ability to don personal protective gear for up to 8 hours
This position includes field work. The office location for the Community Greening department is at 800 Waterfront Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.
Benefits
- Paid time off
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Life insurance/AD&D
- Short-term and long-term disability
- 403(a) and 403(b) retirement plans including generous employer match
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Pay
$48,300–$57,500 annually
Schedule
Full-time