Stewardship Forester

About the role

The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation (FPR) is seeking a Stewardship Forester to oversee and contribute to all state lands management activities in the St. Johnsbury District. This includes forest management, timber harvest administration, recreation management, boundary maintenance, wildlife habitat improvement, and road improvements. The incumbent will lead long-range management planning and land administration in the District, ensuring compliance with laws, regulations, and policies. They will manage budgets and chair the District Stewardship Team, an interdisciplinary group that provides planning and project review for state-owned lands.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and contribute to all state lands management activities in the District
• Lead long-range management planning and land administration in the District
• Ensure compliance with all laws, regulations, and policies
• Manage budgets
• Chair the District Stewardship Team
• Supervise two State Lands Foresters, an Outdoor Recreation Specialist, and seasonal staff
• Guide stewardship and management efforts in the northeastern region of Vermont
• Oversee 130,000 acres of public land

Requirements

• Considerable knowledge of forest management, forest ecology, forest-based recreation, land administration and planning, and supervision
• Skills in geospatial technologies, using computer technology to produce and interpret information, data analysis, project management, meeting facilitation, public speaking, and budget management
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• The ability to work both independently and collaboratively
• The ability to build and maintain relationships and work effectively with diverse groups representing competing interests
• The ability to work outside in forested environments and inclement weather

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in forestry, natural resources, biological or earth science, or wildlife management AND eight (8) years or more of experience in forestry, natural resources, biological or earth science, wildlife management or an environmental field
• OR Bachelor's degree in forestry, natural resources, biological or earth science, or wildlife management AND six (6) years or more of experience in forestry, natural resources, biological or earth science, wildlife management or an environmental field
• OR Master's degree or higher in forestry, natural resources, biological or earth science, or wildlife management AND four (4) years or more in forestry, natural resources, biological or earth science, wildlife management or an environmental field
• OR One (1) year or more as Forestry Professional IV with the State of Vermont