Area Forester-Blackwater District

Title: Area Forester-Blackwater District

Hiring Range: Starting at $38,894.00+ with benefits

Agency: Department of Forestry

Location: Charlottesville, Nat Resrcs Dr

Agency Website: www.dof.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF) is seeking a field forester in Southeast Virginia. VDOF foresters spend most of their time in the woods providing professional forestry assistance and advice to Virginia's forest landowners.
Duties include but are not limited to:
• Assisting private forest landowners manage their forestland through technical assistance and forest management plan development.
• State and federal cost share program implementation
• Forest health observation and management
• Conservation of the forest land base
• Watershed and riparian forest management
• Conservation education and outreach
• Coordination with local governments, state agencies, conservation groups, and citizen organizations
• Prevention and suppression of wildfires, inspection of timber harvests, and enforcing the seed tree, water quality, timber theft, and wildland fire laws.
Location: This forester position is part of the VDOF Blackwater District focused on serving Surry, Sussex, Southampton, & Isle of Wight Counties. Work area offices are in Waverly and Courtland; however, this field position is 100% mobile. State vehicle, computer, and cell phone provided.
Within 6 months of hire, the incumbent must live within Sussex, Surry, or Southampton County or reasonable driving distance negotiable with the regional forester.

Minimum Qualifications

Demonstrated knowledge of forest management plan development and tree species identification; pine silviculture training or experience, knowledge of Virginia's Forestry laws and Best Management Practices for Water quality, knowledge and/or training on establishing riparian buffers and planting trees, experience identifying forest health issues and integrated pest management; familiar with using GPS units and forester's tools including increment borer, diameter tape, prism, & clinometer; ability to work independently; excellent organizational skills; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with personnel from various state and federal agencies, local planners, cooperators, and the public; public speaking skills and training; demonstrated excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills; valid driver’s license; ability to negotiate different types of forested terrain on foot in all types of weather; ability to work in smoky environments; ability to travel around the state and stay overnight on occasion; and experience with and ability to use a PC and Microsoft Office software required.

Preferred Qualifications:

B.S. or M.S. Degree in Forestry, Natural Resource Conservation/Management, A.S. Degree in forestry with experience, or related environmental degree with forest management and dendrology coursework.
Experience in technical and professional forest management work
Experience and/or NWCG training in wildland firefighting and prescribed burn management

Special Instructions: 

RMS provides a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your RMS account to check the status of your application for this position.

Must be able to obtain Commercial Drivers 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.

Contact Information:

Name: Kristi Clore

Phone: 434-220-9029

Email: kristina.clore@dof.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their Certificate of Disability (COD) provided by a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor within the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their Certificate of Disability. If you need to get a Certificate of Disability, use this link: Career Pathways for Individuals with Disabilities, or call DARS at 800-552-5019, or DBVI at 800-622-2155.