Title: Forest Techician-Capital District

State Role Title: Natural Resource Specialist II

Hiring Range: $37,000.00-$45,000.00 DOE with state benefits

Pay Band: 3

Agency: Department of Forestry

Location: Eastern Office New Kent

Agency Website: www.dof.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) is seeking a motivated individual with a passion for forest management and working outdoors to join our Capital District team as a Forest Technician. This Forest Technician will work across the Capital District including Powhatan, Chesterfield, King William, New Kent, James City, Charles City, Henrico, and Hanover counties.

Forest Technicians spend most of their time in the field working with landowners, loggers, fire departments, and local governments to support our agency mission of protecting, conserving, and enhancing Virginia's forests. Forest Technicians inspect timber harvests to protect water quality, prepare preharvest plans for landowners and loggers, and enforce Virginia forest fire, water quality, and seed tree laws. To protect forests from wildfire, forest technicians are wildland firefighters, using specially equipped bulldozers, UTVs, brush trucks, and other resources in wildland fire suppression. Forest Technicians also provide wildland fire training to cooperators, assist with fire prevention and mitigation programs, and maintain DOF firefighting equipment including pickup trucks, UTVs, and bulldozers. This position will organize, communicate with, and train part time wildland firefighters working in the Capital District.

Forest Technicians assist DOF area foresters and community forester specialists within the district with collection of field data and forest measurements, GPS/GIS mapping of tracts, and with other projects across the district. This Forest Technician assists the team with district office, equipment, and yard maintenance work.

This position is part of the DOF’s Capital District serving the counties of Charles City, Chesterfield, Hanover, Henrico, James City, King William, New Kent, Powhatan, and York, and the cities of Colonial Heights, Hampton, Hopewell, Newport News, Petersburg, Poquoson, Richmond, and Williamsburg. Capital District offices are in Providence Forge and Aylett.

This position is home based and is eligible for 100% telework. DOF will issue a state cellphone, laptop computer, and take-home vehicle for work use.

Within 6 months of hire, the incumbent must establish residence in Chesterfield, Powhatan, Charles City, Hanover, Henrico,  New Kent, King William or within a reasonable driving distance as agreed upon by the Regional Forester.

All Virginia 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

Candidates must have the ability to negotiate different types of forested, rough, and rugged terrain on foot in all types of weather; ability to climb on and off equipment, ability to work in smoky environments, be willing and able to work independently in remote locations and be able to travel around the state and stay overnight on occasion. Forest technicians 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.
Candidates for this position should have knowledge or experience with technical or professional forestry, logging, or natural resource management related work. Candidates must be able to work independently in a team-oriented atmosphere, exhibit ability to multi-task, have demonstrated initiative in previous jobs, and communicate effectively in English. Other minimum qualifications:
-Knowledge of Virginia's forestry laws and best management practices (silvicultural BMPs).
-Ability to identify common Virginia tree species.
-Demonstrated communication skills, organization skills, and public speaking experience.
-Experience using Geographic information systems (GIS), GPS units, and/or digital mapping tools.
-Experience with common forestry tools.
- Experience with and ability to use a PC and Microsoft Office software.

Additional Considerations

Top candidates should demonstrate the following qualifications in their application:
-Holds a valid Commercial Driver's License (Class A or B)
- Experience with heavy equipment operations (such as a bulldozer).
- Completion of basic wildland firefighting courses (NWCG: S-130, S-190, L-180; FEMA: ICS-100) and fire experience (prescribed burn or wildfire).

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 Commercial Drivers License (Class A or B) within six months of employment. 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 annually, per Federal wildland firefighting 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 (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.