Forester III

~ The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation's (DEC) mission is to preserve, enhance, restore and conserve Vermont's natural resources and protect human health for the benefit of this and future generations. ~

The DEC, along with the Dept. of Fish and Wildlife and the Dept. of Forests, Parks and Recreation, is part of the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources.

Through its programs, the DEC manages water and air quality; regulates solid and hazardous wastes; and administers a number of voluntary pollution and waste reduction programs. While the DEC issues most of the state's environmental permits, the department does more than just set forth regulations and assure compliance.

Among other responsibilities, department staff members collect data; conduct research; run volunteer programs; develop educational and outreach materials and programs; administer grants; and work with conservation organizations and state and federal agencies to examine critical environmental issues.

Position Overview

The Division of Forests is recruiting for a Forester III in the field of Forest Health Protection. Major duties include designing and conducting forest health and pest surveys, diagnosing tree health problems, conducting forest pest control programs, and providing forest health information to a variety of audiences.

The person in this position will respond to public inquiries, develop pest management recommendations, analyze and archive data, prepare scientific reports and environmental assessments, coordinate co-workers and volunteers, supervise temporary staff, follow up on quarantine issues, consult governmental and private partners, conduct outreach through a variety of media, and make educational presentations.

The position requires substantial knowledge of forest insects and diseases. It also requires strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills, the ability to work both independently and collaboratively, and to work in remote and urban forested environments. Candidates must be willing to apply pesticides, conduct surveys in small aircraft, and travel occasionally out-of-state.  

Responsibilities

• Forestry work at a journey professional level for the Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation.
• Duties involve professional forestry work on private and public lands, the application of environmental sciences to prepare, analyze, review, and implement forestry policies, management plans, and stewardship activities, and the application of technical and scientific data in a variety of department regulatory, non-regulatory, and state and federal programs.
• Foresters provide professional forestry advice, technical assistance and education to the public, and conservation education to the public.
• Foresters conduct forest health research and protection projects, manage & conserve forest ecosystems, produce renewable timber resources, create wildlife habitat, protect water quality, map forest resources, manage urban forests, cooperate with user groups and manage recreational opportunities on public lands.
• Work at this level differs from lower level foresters in the complexity of projects; degree of independence, responsibility, and accountability; and level of expertise and breadth of knowledge required.
• Acts as a lead worker or program coordinator, overseeing the work of classified, temporary, or contractual employees at a lower level. Work is performed under the direction of a higher-level forester, or administrative superior.

Examples of Work: 

• Independently, following general policies and guidance, gathers information, develops, solicits public comments, and implements long-term management plans and programs on public lands; reviews and analyzes proposed projects and plans for consistency with state and federal policies, statutes, regulations, and rules; reviews and processes grant loan applications; and prepares licenses and special permits, and monitors and reports on conservation easements on public lands.
• Independently, following general policies and guidance, conducts research, supervises collection and analysis of forest health and other natural resource data, summarizes and disseminates the data; serves as coordinator of statewide forest health monitoring programs; supervises a forest biology lab responsible for forest entomological, and pathological diagnostics; collects, analyzes, disseminates information, and provides technical advice on wood energy, forest marketing, forest utilization and development; serves as coordinator of a statewide urban and community forestry program; and conducts aerial and ground pesticide applications.
• Independently, following general policies and guidance, develops, presents, and distributes informational programs and educational materials; and researches, collects, analyses, enters information into and maintains natural resource data bases; and drafts reports.
• Cooperates and coordinates work with other state departments and agencies, federal agencies and with other public and private natural resource organizations and interest groups. Performs related duties as required.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Thorough knowledge of forestry or natural resource sciences. 
• Thorough knowledge of forest management or natural resource management methods and applications. 
• Thorough knowledge of the basic principles of forest ecology. 
• Considerable knowledge of the laws, regulations, rules, policies, and programs of the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, the Agency of Natural Resources, the State of Vermont and the United States as they relate to forestry and natural resource management.
• Considerable knowledge of forest entomology and pathology.
• Working Knowledge of the applications of wildlife management. 
• Working knowledge of the procedures of forest fire, insect and disease control. 
• Knowledge of Forest recreation issues and concerns in depth. 
• Knowledge of the basic issues of urban and community forestry in depth. 
• Skill in the application of planning principles and procedures. 
• Ability to use computer technology to produce and interpret natural resources information and apply in program planning.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. 
• Ability to work effectively with diverse groups who have specific and sometimes competing areas of interest in environmental issues.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in forestry or a natural resources field AND four (4) years or more at a professional level in forestry or a natural resources field.

OR

• Master's degree or higher in forestry or a natural resources field AND two (2) years or more at a professional level in forestry or a natural resources field.

OR

• One (1) year or more of experience as Forester II.

Special Requirements: 

• Some positions may require the ability to obtain a Vermont forester's license within 6 months of hiring".

Environmental Factors: 

• Duties are performed more than half the time in a field setting; involving exposure to all types of weather conditions.
• Strength and agility are needed in traversing steep and rough terrain.
• A valid motor vehicle operator's license is required. Some work outside of regular working hours may be required.
• Strong and conflicting public opinions may be encountered.

Compensation

As a State employee you are offered a great career opportunity, but it's more than a paycheck. The State's total compensation package features an outstanding set of employee benefits that are worth about 30% of your total compensation, including:

• 80% State paid medical premium
• Dental Plan at no cost for employees and their families
• Flexible Spending healthcare and childcare reimbursement accounts
• Two ways to save for your retirement: A State defined benefit pension plan and a deferred compensation 457(b) plan
• Work/Life balance: 11 paid holidays each year and a generous leave plan; many jobs also allow for a flexible schedule
• Low cost group life insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Incentive-based Wellness Program
• Qualified Employer for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program

Want the specifics?  Explore the Benefits of State Employment on our website.