Title: Area Forester-Tidewater District
State Role Title: Natural Resource Spec III
Hiring Range: $45,739.00-$60,000.00
Pay Band: 4
Agency: Department of Forestry
Location: Eastern Office Gloucester
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
Tidewater Virginia, focused primarily in Essex County. 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 forest and wildlife habitat management 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
• Delivering conservation education and outreach to groups and individuals
• Coordinating with local governments, state agencies, conservation groups, and
citizen organizations.
• Preventing and suppressing wildfires, inspecting timber harvests, and
enforcing silvicultural water quality, timber theft, and wildland fire laws.
Location: This forester position is part of the DOF Tidewater District focused
on serving Essex County and will also support surrounding counties in the
Tidewater District. Work area offices are in Bowling Green, Tappahannock, and
Gloucester; however, this field position is 100% mobile. State vehicle,
computer, and cell phone provided.
Within 6 months of hire, the incumbent must live within Essex County,
Tappahannock, King & Queen County (Northwest of King & Queen Courthouse,
southeast Caroline County, or Middlesex County (North of Saluda) or reasonable
driving distance negotiable with the regional forester.
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 ability 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
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, 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
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 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.
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 [https://www.dars.virginia.gov/drs/cpid/PWContact.aspx] 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.