Forester

~ The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) mission is to ensure a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. ~

A department of incredible diversity, ODNR owns and manages more than 590,000 acres of land including 75 state parks, 21 state forests, 134 state nature preserves, and 138 wildlife areas. The department also has jurisdiction over more than 120,000 acres of inland waters; 7,000 miles of streams; 481 miles of Ohio River; and 2-1/4 million acres of Lake Erie.

In addition, ODNR licenses all hunting, fishing, and watercraft in the state and is responsible for overseeing and permitting all mineral extraction, monitoring dam safety, managing water resources, coordinating the activity of Ohio's 88 county soil and water conservation districts, mapping the state's major geologic structures and mineral resources.

As an umbrella organization for such diverse interests, the department pulls all these activities into four fundamental mission components:

• Resource management by sustained productivity of Ohio's renewable natural resources, promoting the wise use of non-renewable natural resources, and protecting Ohio's invaluable threatened and endangered natural resources.
• Economic development through job creation/expansion/retention, stimulating local economies, developing industry and tourism opportunities, and supporting the present and future economic health of the state.
• Recreation by providing leisure services and recreation opportunities for the public at all levels.
• Health and safety through fair and consistent law enforcement participating in regulatory matters and identifying and responding to environmental hazards.

Position Overview

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources is currently seeking a Forester. 

Responsibilities

• Provides landowners with technical forestry assistance in areas including reforestation, forest management, timber marketing, watershed protection, insect & disease control, wildland fire safety, forest recreational facility development & wildlife habitat development, forest management plan development, tree planting plans, marketing assistance, wildlife habitat, improving woodland health, financial incentives, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program, Conservation Reserve Program, increasing timber production, and forest industries.
• Corresponds with landowners (e.g., face-to-face, writes correspondence, through e-mails & phone calls).
• Inspects forest land to determine eligibility for classification under Ohio Forest Tax Law.
• Coordinates Service Forestry programs with other governmental agencies having complementary programs.
• Performs field inspections to certify technical need for certain forestry practices under federal forestry incentives programs (e.g., EQIP) & checks for compliance under certain practices in such programs.
• Assists in acquiring & maintaining third party sustainable forestry certification (e.g., audits, develops written plans, obtains appropriate Geographic Information System [GIS] information).
• Assists with invasive species program on state & private lands (e.g., presents information at workshops/conferences, provides landowners with up-to-date information on control measures).
• Assists with field work on publicly owned lands (e.g. timber cruising, timber marking, invasive plant monitoring & control).
• Assists with tasks associated with federal grants (e.g. stewardship activities related to Collaborative Chief's Oak Management project).
• Collects & analyzes basic forest data & formulates into overall forest stewardship plan for forest property.
• Makes recommendations on marking of timber.
• Works with timber industry & provides limited assistance on timber procurement processing & marketing problems.
• Conducts forest management seminars; responds to insect & disease inspection requests.
• Develops tree planting & maintenance specifications.
• Reviews landscape plans.
• Recommends tree protection practices.
• Advises on tree removal.
• Assists with training forestry personnel involved in NRCS-related forest management activities (i.e., acts as liaison on NRCS projects.
• Provides technical assistance for forestry stewardship program to assist landowners with accomplishing NRCS program-related work).
• Operates state vehicle to meet with private landowners, governmental, & civic groups, & to navigate throughout & between state forests & to attend various functions.
• Works on special projects (e.g., special landowner cost-share program sign-ups, forest pest surveys, Big Tree Program measurements).
• Performs wildfire support as directed within training & physical capabilities.
• Represents the Department & Division & performs public relations duties & various administrative tasks.
• Writes reports.
• Composes correspondence.
• Attends meetings with civic, professional, & governmental agencies.
• Assists with customer service duties as needed, including answering multi-line telephone.
• Operates personal computer to enter, update, correct, delete, & send data.
• Assists in preparation, typing, proofreading and editing, compiling and disseminating of written materials.
• Creates & updates forms in computer as needed.
• Assists with providing basic/routine information to & resolving basic/routine complaints from internal & external customers in Division of Forestry.
• Operates photocopier, scanners, printers, &/or facsimile machine; may assist with preparation process for division-sponsored events.
• Assists Information & Education program with communication, publication, and event activities (e.g. may assist with the coordination and implementation of state fair activities in the Natural Resources Park located at Ohio’s state fairgrounds facility & may assist with the Project Learning Tree-Ohio program activities).

Qualifications

• Completion of undergraduate core coursework in forestry or related field of study.
• 12 mos. trg. or 12 mos. exp. in public relations.
• 12 mos. trg. or 12 mos. exp. in operation of computer software programs.
• Valid driver's license OR 12 mos. exp. as Forestry Technician, 22321 OR equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications For Employment noted above.

Knowledge of:

• Employee training & development*.
• Safety practices (Division of Forestry Health & Safety Manual)*.
• Public relations.
• Agency policies & procedures (ODNR, Forestry)*.
• Government structure & process (local, state, federal); natural sciences (forestry, including forest fire control & prevention*); law (Ohio Revised Code [ORC] Chapter 1503).

Skilled in:

• Word processing (Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, Geographic Information System [GIS]).
• Equipment operations (general office equipment (e.g., smart devices, personal computer, calculator), motor vehicle, forestry instruments [e.g., prism, Global Positioning System [GPS], Biltmore stick).

Ability to:

• Define problems, collect data, establish facts & draw valid conclusions.
• Originate routine business letters reflecting standard procedures.
• Handle sensitive inquiries from & contacts with officials & general public.
• Demonstrate physical fitness (e.g., to walk several miles, climb hills).
• Calculate fractions, decimals & percentages.
• Maintain accurate records.
• Prepare & deliver speeches before specialized audiences or plan training programs on timber harvesting & processing of fire control.
• Interpret variety of technical material in books, journals & manuals.
• Complete routine forms.
• Prepare meaningful, concise & accurate reports.

Training required to remain in classification after employment:

• Must successfully complete basic firefighter/introduction to fire behavior course (i.e., S-130/S-190) within first year of employment pursuant to national interagency incident management system (i.e., wildland & prescribed fire qualification system guide).

Unusual working conditions:

• Requires travel. 
• Exposed to inclement weather, dust, dirt, insects & poisonous plants.
• Responds to wildfires.