Forest Service Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Title: Area Forester-Southern Rivers District

State Role Title: Natural Resource Spec III

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

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Department of Forestry

Location: Central Office Lunenburg

Agency Website: www.dof.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Department of Forestry is seeking to hire an Area Forester for our Southern Rivers District in the Central Region. Area Foresters spend most of their time outside providing professional forestry advice and assistance to private landowners. This position reports to the District Forester and implements the agency's forest management program at the local level.
Duties include, but are not limited to:
Providing professional forest management advice to forest landowners through technical assistance and forest management plan development
Administering state and federal cost-share programs to support forest management projects
Assessing and addressing forest health concerns
Establishing and managing riparian buffers to protect streams, waterbodies, and wetlands
Educating the general public and organizations of the benefits of trees and forests
Preventing and suppressing wildland fires, including enforcing Virginia's fire laws
Inspecting logging jobs for compliance with Virginia's Silvicultural Water Quality Law
Location: This Area Forester will be focused on providing services in Lunenburg County. This position is part of the Southern Rivers District, which includes the counties of Appomattox, Charlotte, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, and Prince Edward.
Within 6 months of hire, the chosen candidate must reside in Lunenburg County or within 30 minutes of the Victoria office within the district boundary.
This position is classified as having a home-based duty location, however there is a designated DOF office located in Victoria that can be used as needed. A take home state-owned vehicle, laptop, smartphone, and mobile printer will be provided.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Demonstrated knowledge of tree species identification, silvics of Virginia native tree species, forest soils, forest measurements/biometrics.
2. Knowledge and/or training on establishing riparian buffers and planting trees.
3. Experience or training in identifying forest health issues and implementing integrated pest management strategies, training or experience with pesticide use on forest land.
4. Demonstrated ability to develop scientific forest management plans
5. Ability to use standard forester's tools including increment borer, diameter tape, prism, & clinometer to cruise stands of timber.
6. Knowledge 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 can 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, GPS use, 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 resume 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 a Virginia Commercial Pesticide Applicator's License within 6 months of employment. Must be able to obtain Commercial Driver's License within 12 months of employment. As a responder for 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 be drug tested and pass a criminal background check.
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.