Area Forester-Tidewater District

Title: Area Forester-Tidewater District

State Role Title: Natural Resource Spec III

Hiring Range: $45,739.00-$60,000.00

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Department of Forestry

Location: Eastern Office Gloucester

Agency Website: www.dof.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) is seeking a field forester in Tidewater Virginia, focused primarily in Essex County. DOF foresters spend most of their time in the woods providing professional forestry assistance and advice to Virginia's forest landowners to support the DOF mission of protecting and developing healthy, sustainable forest resources for Virginians.

Duties include but are not limited to:
• Assisting forest landowners with management of their forestland through technical assistance and forest management plans.
• Evaluating forestland and harvested sites to provide scientific forest management and regeneration guidance.
• Promoting and assisting with the development of riparian buffer projects.
• Connecting private forest landowners to state and federal cost share programs that support forest and wildlife habitat management projects.
• Responding to and identifying forest health issues, including invasive pests and plants, and providing management advice to protect & improve forest health.
• Promoting conservation of the forest land base to landowners and local governments
• Delivering conservation education and outreach to groups and individuals
• Coordinating with local governments, state agencies, conservation groups, and citizen organizations.
• Preventing and suppressing wildfires, inspecting timber harvests, and enforcing silvicultural water quality, timber theft, and wildland fire laws.

Location: This forester position is part of the DOF Tidewater District focused on serving Essex County and will also support surrounding counties in the Tidewater District. Work area offices are in Bowling Green, Tappahannock, and Gloucester; however, this field position is 100% mobile. State vehicle, computer, and cell phone provided.

Within 6 months of hire, the incumbent must live within Essex County, Tappahannock, King & Queen County (Northwest of King & Queen Courthouse, southeast Caroline County, or Middlesex County (North of Saluda) or reasonable driving distance negotiable with the regional forester.

Minimum Qualifications

• Demonstrated knowledge of tree species identification, silvics of Virginia native tree species, forest soils, & forest measurements/biometrics.
• Knowledge and/or training on establishing riparian buffers and planting trees.
• Experience or training in identifying forest health issues and implementing integrated pest management strategies, training or experience with pesticide use on forest land.
• Demonstrated ability to develop scientific forest management plans
• Ability to use standard forester's tools including increment borer, diameter tape, prism, & clinometer to cruise stands of timber.
• Knowledge of/or training related to forest harvesting systems and Virginia’s Silvicultural Best Management Practices for Water Quality.

In addition, DOF foresters must have the ability to work independently, have excellent organizational skills, have the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with state and federal agencies, local planners, cooperators, and the public; have demonstrated excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills, and have the ability to use a PC and Microsoft Office software.

DOF foresters spend much of their time working in the woods in all types of forested, rough, and muddy terrain in all weather conditions. Candidates must have the ability to negotiate different types of forested and rugged terrain on foot in all types of weather; ability to climb on and off equipment, ability to work in smokey environments; and have the ability to travel around the state and stay overnight on occasion. Foresters use a variety of equipment including 4x4 pickups, UTVs, transport trucks, and bulldozers. Candidates must have a valid Virginia driver’s license or the ability to obtain one before starting with the agency.

Additional Considerations

Top candidates for this position should demonstrate the following qualifications in their application:
• Experience and/or training in wildland firefighting and/or prescribed burn management including Virginia Prescribed Burn Manager certification.
• Training and/or experience with Geographic Information systems, online mapping tools, and basic forest surveying
•Experience or training in applied silviculture and forest management techniques.

Special Instructions

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

Must be able to obtain Virginia 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.

The Virginia Department of Forestry is an Emergency Response agency, as such, all employees may be required to provide support during emergency situations; this may include nights, weekends or holidays as the need arises.

Contact Information

Name: Kristina Estep

Phone: 434-529-7244

Email: kristina.estep@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 AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.