Forest Technician-Five Forks District Job at Virginia Department of Forestry in

The Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) is seeking to hire a Forest Technician for the DOF Five Forks District in the Eastern Region. This position will work with a team of foresters & forest technicians to provide agency services focused in Brunswick, Nottoway, Dinwiddie, & Greensville Counties.

Forest Technicians spend most of their time outdoors inspecting timber harvesting operations, responding to wildfires, and providing technical forestry assistance to landowners, loggers, and forestry professionals.

Job Duties

• Inspecting logging jobs for compliance with Virginia's Silvicultural Water Quality Law
• Assisting loggers, timber buyers, and forestry professionals with pre-harvest planning and providing Best Management Practices (BMP) recommendations
• Preventing and suppressing wildland fires, enforcing Virginia's forest fire laws
• Ensuring wildland firefighting equipment is maintained and ready to respond to wildland fires or other emergency response events
• GPS & GIS mapping
• Coordinating with local governments and fire departments
• Educating the public about the benefits of trees and forests
• Special projects including state forest or state lands management
• Maintaining DOF facilities, vehicles, and equipment, including regular equipment exercise

This position will be focused on providing agency services across DOF's Five Forks District. This position is 100% mobile. However, there is a DOF office located in Dinwiddie available as needed. A take home state-owned vehicle, laptop, smartphone, and mobile printer will be provided.

Within 6 months of hire, the chosen candidate must live in Nottoway, Dinwiddie, Greensville or Brunswick County south of Route 40.

Minimum Qualifications

Candidates must have the ability to negotiate different types of forested, rough, and rugged terrain on foot in all types of weather; ability to climb on and off equipment, ability to work in smoky environments, be willing and able to work independently in remote locations and be able to travel around the state and stay overnight on occasion.

Candidates must have a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain one before starting with the agency.

Qualifications

Candidates for this position should have knowledge or experience with technical or professional forestry, logging, or natural resource management related work. Candidates must be able to work independently in a team-oriented atmosphere, exhibit ability to multi-task, have demonstrated initiative in previous jobs, and communicate effectively in English.

• Knowledge of Virginia's forestry laws and best management practices (silvicultural BMPs)
• Able to identify common Virginia tree species
• Demonstrated communication skills, organization skills, and public speaking experience
• Experience using Geographic information systems (GIS), GPS units, and/or digital mapping tools
• Experience with common forestry tools
• Experience with and ability to use a PC and Microsoft Office software such as Excel

Additional Considerations

Top candidates should demonstrate the following qualifications in their application:

• Holds a valid Commercial Driver's License (Class A or B)
• Experience with heavy equipment operations (bulldozer or related tracked equipment)
• Completion of basic wildland firefighting courses (NWCG: S-130, S-190, L-180; FEMA: ICS-100) and fire experience (prescribed burn or wildfire)

The Commonwealth of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer and encourages individuals with disabilities to apply. In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process.