JOB TITLE: FOREST ENTOMOLOGIST, DCNR

JOB CODE: 54480

DEFINITION: This is professional work in the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) in the detection and control of forest insects.

An employee in this job is responsible for planning, organizing, and directing a statewide program to prevent, detect, manage, and suppress forest insect pests. Work involves planning and coordinating aerial and ground surveillance of forests to identify areas with insect pests; preparing and conducting a training program for field personnel on the latest developments in insect pest detection and control methods; coordinating with the federal government, universities, and other participating agencies on pest surveys, experimental control projects, and related research work; and providing ongoing advisory and consultative services to field personnel and private forest owners on forest insect pest surveillance, evaluation, and management methods. Work also includes responsibility for formulating departmental policy and developing management plans to address forest pest and insect problems. Supervision may be exercised over professional and technical staff. Work is assigned in the form of overall objectives by an administrative supervisor and is reviewed for program effectiveness and adherence to departmental policy.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: (NOTE: The examples of work are representative of the work, but every position classified to this job may not perform all examples of work listed. Conversely, this is not an all-inclusive list of work examples.):

• Plans and directs the activities of professional and technical employees involved in forest insect pest studies and projects.

• Evaluates the results and applications of studies, field investigations, and research related to forest entomology.

• Travels to field sites and provides technical assistance to district foresters on forest insect pest control projects.

• Performs laboratory identification of specimens submitted by field personnel or the general public.

• Provides information to field personnel to inform them of current forest pest and insect problems and the most suitable control methods.

• Interprets reports submitted by field personnel to determine the nature, extent, and distribution of forest insect infestations and the advisability of control measures.

• Serves on national, state, and regional forest pest control committees.

• Performs the full range of supervisory duties.

• An employee in this job may participate in the performance of subordinates’ work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

• Performs related work as required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

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

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

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of forest and general entomology.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of forest insect pest control measures.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of dendrology.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of forest ecology.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of forest economics.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally.

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: (NOTE: These are expected of an employee performing the work of this job at the full performance level. These may not be used for merit system evaluation or examination purposes and are not position-specific performance standards.):

• Ability to recognize and identify forest insect pests and symptoms of forest insect pest damage common to the state

• Ability to plan and organize the work of professional and technical staff.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: (NOTE: Based on the Entry Level Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities):

• Two years of professional experience in forest entomology or entomology, and a master’s degree in forest entomology, entomology, or a similar field;

or

• An equivalent combination of experience and training.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT:

• All positions require possession of an active non-commercial Pennsylvania Class C driver’s license or equivalent.