08/12/2013 54410

FORESTER

DEFINTION: This is professional forestry work in the conservation, development, management and use of the commonwealth’s forest resources.

An employee in this job performs a variety of duties that involve developing, planning, implementing, coordinating, promoting via education, and evaluating programs designed to manage, protect, enhance, and conserve the forest resources, within an assigned geographical area of the commonwealth. Work involves compiling data by conducting landscape examinations, analyzing and interpreting the data, and determining what treatment will be conducted on the forest stands within the landscape; and preparing an annual operating plan for commonwealth-owned forest land which identifies landscapes that will have the treatment conducted. Work includes responsibility for compiling, interpreting, and analyzing data and utilizing the data for developing, planning, scheduling, implementing, coordinating, and evaluating the effectiveness of at least one of the following programs for the entire geographical area: information and education; employee safety; forest fire prevention, pre-suppression, and suppression; insect and disease identification and control; recreation development and management; minerals management; and soils erosion and sedimentation control. Work requires performing forest fire related duties, such as serving as a dispatcher, responding to forest fires and fighting forest fires, and directing fire fighting activities; and assisting in aerial spraying programs to combat forest insects. Work is assigned in the form of specific program goals and objectives, and the employee exercises considerable freedom in scheduling and completing the work. Work is reviewed in progress and upon completion by a supervisory forestry professional for completeness, technical accuracy, and attainment of goals and objectives.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Conducts, or leads others in conducting, landscape and forest stand examinations, and compiles data involving factors, such as timber type, forest health, forest vitality, timber measurement, regeneration, wildlife habitat and conditions, recreational use, insect and disease activities, and other pertinent factors.

Analyzes and interprets data to determine the treatment to be prescribed for the landscape or stand.

Prepares an annual operating plan for commonwealth-owned forest land which outlines the landscapes, market conditions and stands to be treated.

Identifies specific areas in which to treat forest resources through timber sales, conducts tours of timber sales areas, and answers questions for prospective bidders.

Develops, plans, schedules, implements, coordinates, and evaluates public and employee information, education, fire and safety programs.

Monitors conservation easements on private lands.

Prepares, or leads others in preparing, the documents required to obtain approval for timber sales such as prospectus, maps, description of the timber area and the timber, the computation of the board feet available, and other pertinent data.

Administers the final inspection of the sale area and the approval of timber sales contracts to ensure contractual requirements are met, assuming professional responsibility for certifying that the timber sale was completed as contracted.

Determines insect populations and the degree of disease outbreaks within landscapes, and consults with specialists in forest pest management to decide on the best course of treatment.

Compiles forest resource data and creates data layers and maps to document forest measurements.

Develops, plans, and implements urban forestry programs designed to improve air quality, shade, beautification, storm water runoff, and property values.

Develops, plans, and implements programs designed to conserve regional private forest resources and to communicate the value of forests to a broad set of stakeholders.

Develops, plans, schedules, implements, coordinates, and evaluates recreational programs, such as hiking trails, snowmobile trails, All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) trails, cross-country skiing, hunting, fishing, and other similar activities to promote the safe and proper utilization of forest resources.

Develops, plans, schedules, implements, coordinates, and evaluates activities to promote the safe and proper removal or storage of oil, gas and hard minerals from commonwealth-owned forest land.

Assists in developing and administering contracts and leases to obtain financial remuneration for the removal of oil, gas and hard minerals or the use of commonwealth-owned leases to store oil, gas and hard mineral resources.

Develops, plans, schedules, implements, coordinates, and evaluates activities that control soil erosion and sedimentation to conserve soil resources, protect watersheds, and water quality and quantity.

Receives, interprets and evaluates National Fire Danger Rating System data to determine the probability for the incidence of forest fire occurrences.

Develops, plans, schedules, implements, coordinates, and evaluates forest fire prevention, pre-suppression, and suppression activities to educate the public on the hazards of forest fires, to have adequately trained personnel to suppress fires, and to respond to outbreaks of forest fires to suppress them.

Serves as a Forest Fire Warden and takes action to extinguish and investigate wildland fires.

Develops and executes prescribed burn plans.

Utilizes remote sensing tools, such as aerial photographs and other imagery taken from airplanes and satellites, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Global Positioning Systems (GPS) to map large forest areas and create computerized inventory of forest land and resources.

Prepares reports, correspondence, statistical charts, spreadsheets, contracts, draft press releases, and other written material as required.

Serves as a State Forest Officer and enforces forest rules and regulations on commonwealth-owned forest lands as defined by Act 18.

Operates motor vehicles to travel to remote work sites.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of the principles and practices of forest stewardship.

Knowledge of the procedures used in analyzing a forest community.

Knowledge of the various species of trees and other vegetation common to Pennsylvania and northeastern United States.

Knowledge of the insects and diseases common to the forests of Pennsylvania and northeastern United States.

Knowledge of the commonly used methods and techniques of wildland fire suppression.

Knowledge of silviculture and dendrology principles.

Knowledge of forest ecology principles.

Ability to operate motor vehicles.

Ability to perform algebraic, geometric, and trigonometric computations.

Ability to read and interpret technical written material.

Ability to communicate effectively orally.

Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: Two years of technical forestry experience, and an associate’s degree in forest technology, forestry, forest management, forest ecosystem management, urban forestry, forest science, agroforestry, or a related forestry degree;

                                                                                                                                                                                               or

A bachelor’s degree in forest technology, forestry, forest management, forest ecosystem management, urban forestry, forest science, agroforestry, or a related forestry degree;

                                                                                                                                                                                               or

A master’s degree in forest technology, forestry, forest management, forest ecosystem management, urban forestry, forest science, agroforestry, or a related forestry degree.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: Possession of a valid PA non- commercial Class C driver’s license or equivalent.