Watershed Forester, East of Hudson

~ The Watershed Agricultural Council, a non profit organization, works to protect the NYC Watershed while supporting farm and forest land uses. ~  

With the help of 130 landowners, the Council protects over 24,000 acres of working farmland through conservation easements. Our goal is to add another 10,000 acres through conservation easement. This protection ensures these working landscapes in farm and forest will remain so for future generations - which protects water quality on behalf of nine million New York residents.

Position Overview

The Watershed Forester will work with landowners, loggers, foresters, municipal officials and school groups to implement the various initiatives offered by the WAC Forestry Program in the in the Croton watershed region. The Croton watershed portion of the New York City water supply system is located in Dutchess, Putnam and Westchester Counties.

These education and incentive programs include Croton Trees for Tributaries (T4T) Program, Mywoodlot.com, Model Forest Program, Best Management Practices (BMP) Program, Management Assistance Program (MAP), Watershed Forestry Education Programs, Trained Logger Certification (TLC) and the 480a Incentive Program.

Reporting Responsibilities:

• Reports to the Forestry Program Manager.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical assistance and financial incentives to forest landowners to encourage initial and continued enrollment in New York’s forest tax abatement program (480a);
• Provide technical assistance and financial incentives to loggers, landowners and foresters to plan and implement water quality Best Management Practices (BMP) associated with the WAC’s BMP Program in the Croton watershed region;
• Conduct field inspections of forest stewardship projects and water quality BMP’s to ensure standards are met prior to payment;
• Manage the Croton Trees for Tributaries Program including project development and maintenance, tree planting, volunteer coordination, budgeting, procurement, monitoring and evaluation;
• Assist with the coordination of the Clearpool Model Forest by providing technical support, the development and maintenance of demonstrations, and attending steering committee meetings;
• Create content for MyWoodlot.com that provides forest landowners with the knowledge they need to make positive conservation decisions regarding their forestland in the NYC Watershed;
• Support the Watershed Forest Institute for Teachers (WFIT) and Watershed Forestry Bus Tour programs by teaching the participants about the connection between forests and water quality.
• Design and teach logger training workshops like Forest Ecology & Silviculture, Skidder Bridge Building and Stream Crossing;
• Continuously improve WAC’s programs by participating in periodic evaluations.
• Develop and deliver presentations about forests, water quality and WAC’s programs to diverse audiences including land trusts, conservation organizations, landowners, foresters, loggers, municipal officials and civic groups; and
• Maintain positive and constructive relationships with loggers, landowners, foresters and municipal that contribute to the protection of water quality and the promotion of the working forest landscape.

Qualifications

• Minimum B.S. in forestry, silviculture, ecology or related natural resources field;
• Excellent personal, written, and oral communication skills; enjoys engaging the public;
• The ability to work as part of a team and independently in a satellite office with minimal supervision;
• Knowledge of and experience with forest management practices: tree planting, invasive plant control, riparian forest management and forestry BMPs;
• Knowledge and experience with Microsoft Office Software, Geographic information Systems and Geographic Positioning Systems; and
• Preference will be given to candidates with two years of experience in forestry.

To Apply

• Please click "Apply" below to upload your cover letter and resume to Amy Faulkner. 
• Review of applications will begin November 19, 2018.