Title: Area Forester-Five Forks District
State Role Title: Natural Resource Spec III
Hiring Range: Starting at $44,192.00+ DOE with state benefits
Pay Band: 4
Agency: Department of Forestry
Location: Eastern Office Dinwiddie
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 the DOF Five Forks District, working primarily in Greensville County and across the District as needed. This district includes Amelia, Nottoway, Prince George, Dinwiddie, Brunswick, and Greensville Counties.
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 forestry 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.
• Coordinating with local governments, state agencies, and conservation groups.
• Preventing and suppressing wildfires, inspecting timber harvests, and enforcing silvicultural water quality, timber theft, and wildland fire laws.
Location: This forester position serves Greensville County and will also support nearby counties within the DOF Five Forks District.
Local DOF offices are in Amelia & Dinwiddie; however, this field position is 100% mobile. State vehicle, laptop, mobile printer, and cell phone provided.
Within 6 months of hire, the incumbent must live within Greensville, Brunswick, Dinwiddie (south of RT 40), or reasonable driving distance negotiable with the Regional Forester.
All state employee benefits are provided including paid holidays and vacation, healthcare, and a state retirement plan. For more information visit: https://www.dhrm.virginia.gov/employeebenefits
Minimum Qualifications
•Knowledge of the principles and practices of forest management.
•Ability to identify native and invasive tree species common to southern forests.
•Knowledge of forest inventory techniques and measurement tools such as clinometers, diameter tapes, and increment borers.
•Knowledge of common forest health issues and concerns in Virginia.
•Knowledge of forestry best management practices for water quality.
•Knowledge of forested watershed management practices.
•Experience and/or training writing forest management plans.
•Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate in both oral and written formats.
•Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with cooperating agencies, the private sector, and the general public
•Ability to work independently and in remote locations.
•Ability to negotiate different types of forested and rough terrain on foot in all types of weather.
•Experience with and ability to use a PC and Microsoft Office software.
•Possession of valid Virginia Driver’s License or equivalent.
Additional Considerations
-Experience using Geographic information systems, GPS units, and digital mapping tools.
-Experience in technical and professional forest management work.
-Experience and/or NWCG training in wildland firefighting and prescribed burn management
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.
Contact Information
Name: Kristina Clore
Phone: 434-592-7244
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 (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.