Job Description

Area Forester-Capital District

The Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) is seeking an area forester to join the DOF Capital District to support rural and community forestry in Chesterfield County and Tri-City area. This role will work on both rural and community forestry activities, supporting DOF operations in forest management, forest health, conservation, water quality protection, outreach, and wildfire protection. DOF foresters provide 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. Area forester duties include:

• Assisting forest landowners with forest management 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 establishment projects.
• Assisting with urban & community forestry projects and cost share programs through site visits, planning, and demonstrating good planting techniques.
• Connecting private forest landowners to state and federal cost share programs that support forest and wildlife habitat management projects.
• Promoting DOF grant programs that support urban tree canopy expansion, heat island mitigation, green infrastructure planning, and tree planting.
• 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 to promote the importance of trees and forests.
• Coordinating with local governments, state agencies, conservation groups, and citizen organizations.
• Preventing and suppressing of wildfires, inspection of timber harvests, and enforcing Virginia's silvicultural water quality law.

Location: This forester position is part of the DOF Capital District focused on serving Chesterfield County and the cities of Hopewell, Colonial Heights, and Petersburg. DOF office is located in New Kent County; however, this homebased field position is 100% remote. State vehicle, computer, and cell phone provided. Residency requirement: Within 6 months of hire date, incumbent must live establish a residence within Chesterfield County or the cities of Petersburg, Colonial Heights, & Hopewell.

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 able 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 driver's license or the ability to obtain one before starting with the agency.

Additional Considerations:

• 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 rsum 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.

Contact Information:

Name: Kristina Clore

Phone: 434-529-7244

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 AHP Letter 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.

Each agency within the Commonwealth of Virginia is dedicated to recruiting, supporting, and maintaining a competent and diverse work force. Equal Opportunity Employer

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