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Virginia Department of Forestry · 2 days ago

Area Forester-Capital District

United States

Full-time

Remote

Mid Level

The Virginia Department of Forestry is seeking an area forester to support rural and community forestry in Chesterfield County and the Tri-City area. This role involves providing professional forestry assistance to landowners, promoting conservation, and managing forest health and wildfire protection efforts.

Environmental Services

Responsibilities

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

Qualification

Tree species identificationForest management plansIntegrated pest managementRiparian buffer establishmentForest harvesting systemsGeographic Information SystemsMicrosoft Office proficiencyWildland firefightingBasic forest surveyingOrganizational skillsInterpersonal communication

Required

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

Ability to work independently

Excellent organizational skills

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with state and federal agencies, local planners, cooperators, and the public

Demonstrated excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills

Ability to use a PC and Microsoft Office software

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

Ability to travel around the state and stay overnight on occasion

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

Preferred

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

Benefits

State benefits

Company

Virginia Department of Forestry

The Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) manages state forests, suppresses wildland fires, serves forest landowners, and ensures a sustainable, healthy forest resource for the Commonwealth.

Founded in 1914