Forest Health Specialist

~ The Arkansas Forestry Commission was established with the passage of Act 234 by the 1931 session of the Arkansas Legislature. ~

The mission of the AFC is to protect Arkansas's forests, and those who enjoy them, from wildland fire and natural hazards while promoting rural and urban forest health, stewardship, development and conservation for all generations of Arkansans.

Position Overview 

The Forest Health Specialist is responsible for providing technical assistance to landowners and communities in the prevention, detection, evaluation, and suppression of forest insects and diseases. This position is governed by state and federal laws and agency/institution policy.

This is a fulltimte position located with residency requirements outlined in preferred qualifications. Please visit our website to find out more about us.   

Responsibilities  

Typical Functions: 

• Conducts inspections to identify forest problems, collects samples of infested areas, analyzes and interprets results of findings, and recommends control methods.
• Develops, coordinates, and presents training programs on pests and disease control management programs for the agency field personnel, private land owners, and representatives from other state agencies.
• Conducts and/or participates in public meetings to share information about identifying and managing pests and disease problems. 
• Compiles information from forest surveillance, findings from analysis, and evaluations of infested areas and other sources and writes project funding proposals to treat identified infested areas.
• Conducts research and develops and disseminates project guide books on pests and disease control management to district personnel.
• Provides information and recommendations to farmers and other landowners regarding ways in which they can best use land, promote plant growth, and avoid or correct problems such as erosion. 
• Develops reporting forms for the commission and collects, compiles, and writes reports on disease and pest control management. 
• Performs other duties as assigned. 

Special Job Dimensions: 

• Occasional in-state and overnight travel and exposure to inclement weather are required. 

Qualifications  

Knowledge, Abilities, and Skills: 

• Knowledge of the scientific principles of biology and forestry. 
• Knowledge of forest pest identification and control.
• Knowledge of research methods related to forest pest control.
• Ability to analyze research information and investigation results to determine correct control methods.
• Ability to instruct staff and public in forest pest identification and control.
• Ability to develop detection and monitoring programs.
• Ability to work with numerous state and federal agency staffs. 

Minimum Education and/or Experience: 

• The formal education equivalent of a bachelor's degree in biology, zoology or a related field; plus three years of experience in insect and disease identification and control.
• Additional requirements determined by the agency for recruiting purposes require review and approval by the Office of Personnel Management. 

Note: Other job releted duties and/or experience may be substituted for all or part of these basic requirements, except for certification or licensure requirements, upon approval of the qualfications review committee. 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• The equivalent of a bachelor's degree in forestry, natural resources management, biology, zoology or a related field with coursework in Forest Entomology.
• Knowledge of Forest pest (native and non-native) identification and control.
• Knowledge of grant administration, including managing budgets and reporting accomplishments.
• Knowledge of basic knowledge of southern forestry and southern forest pests.
• Ability to develop detection and monitoring programs for native and invasive forest insects, diseases and plants.
• Ability to develop partnerships and work with university scientists, USDA Forest Services entomologists and pathologists, Arkansas State Plant Board and other pertinent state and federal agencies.
• Ability to create and maintain GIS data.
• Ability to gather pest information in the field using GPS equipment. Ability to prepare press releases, provide up-to-date information related to prominent pests on the AFC website and be familiar with social media outlets to promote awareness of forest health issues. 
• Ability to develop and conduct forest health presentations for diverse audiences. 

Other requirements include: 

• In-state and overnight travel and exposure to inclement weather.
• Occasionally involved in pest detection surveys and may be required to fly in a small aircraft.
• Prepare annual AFC Forest Health Report.
• Ability to be a "team player" and assist in other programmatic areas when necessary.
• A Masters in Forestry and/or Natural Resources Management with an emphasis in Entomology, Pathology or Forest Health.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. 

Compensation: Salary range is $35,554.00 - $60,390.00 per year. The AFC offers an excellent benefit package including immediate accrual of annual and sick leave, eleven paid holidays, and a contributory retirement plan. The AFC pays the major portion of medical health insurance for full-time employees. 

To Apply 

Please click below: "Apply Here!" and be sure to complete the Work History section of the application, even if you are attaching a resume. Incomplete applications will NOT be processed.

Thank you for your interest in the Arkansas Forestry Commission. 

~ The AFC provides equal employment opportunities without regard to race, creed, sex, religion, national origin, age, or disability. ~