JOB TITLE: FOREST HEALTH GENETICIST, DCNR

JOB CODE: 54261

DEFINITION: This is professional work in a forest tree improvement and breeding program in the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR).

An employee in this job plans, organizes, and directs a statewide program for large-scale breeding and selection projects designed to sustain and improve the overall quality of commonwealth forests. Work involves formulating departmental policy and developing management plans to address forest genetics, tree breeding, and forest improvement programs; documenting and retaining information on the genetic infrastructure associated with terrestrial plant communities throughout state forests; and collaborating with botanists, naturalists, entomologists, plant pathologists, and agency experts to document, evaluate, and preserve unique genotypes associated with select plant communities within the commonwealth’s genetic infrastructure. Work also involves responsibility for selecting plant materials, with emphasis on forest tree species, for disease, insect, and pest resistance; seed zone and growth/resilience; compatibility with and adaptability to molecular genetics techniques; and vegetative propagation. Important aspects of the work include establishing and maintaining seed orchards; collaborating with industry experts through professional networking; coordinating with the federal government, universities, and other participating agencies on tree breeding and improvement programs, experimental projects, and related research work; and providing ongoing advisory and consultative services to field personnel and private forest owners on forest genetics. Work may involve supervising professional and technical staff. Work is performed independently under the general direction of an administrative supervisor for effectiveness of results.

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.)

• Directs and develops projects and programs focused on the characterization, detection, and collection of unique plant genotypes, including those that are disease and insect pest resistant or uniquely positioned related to select edaphic or topographic features.

• Plans, oversees, and participates in genetic data collection as well as bioinformatic record keeping and archiving.

• Directs and facilitates characterization of genetic accessions for submission to local, regional, and national repositories.

• Develops and maintains an archive of geospatial position data referencing accession source locations and seed orchard maps.

• Directs and develops the establishment of seed orchards in support of conservation and restoration programs.

• Plans and directs genetic research and tree or plant genetic improvement programs which promote genetic infrastructure conservation and restoration efforts.

• Develops and implements vegetative propagation procedures for seed orchard establishment.

• Implements molecular genetic techniques to verify genetic pedigree and gene allele tracking where possible.

• Performs manual operations inherent in a tree improvement program, such as cutting and grafting of scions, artificial hybridization, pruning, and planting.

• Trains field personnel in plant propagation and seed orchard design using traditional breeding approaches and molecular tools to track heritage collections.

• Operates a motor vehicle.

• 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 principles and practices of forest genetics.

• Knowledge of tree breeding and improvement methods.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of forest entomology.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of forest pathology.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of plant physiology.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of dendrology and ecology of forest trees.

• Knowledge of tree species and forest vegetation, insects, and diseases.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of forest economics.

• Knowledge of the use and functionality of Microsoft Office Suite software.

• Ability to plan, organize, and direct the work of a geographically dispersed staff.

• Ability to operate a motor vehicle.

• 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 are not used for merit system evaluation or examination purposes and are not position-specific performance standards.)

• Knowledge of the methods and techniques involved in the operation of a forest tree nursery.

• Knowledge of bioinformatics and molecular genetic technologies related to trees.

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

• Two years of professional experience in forest genetics; and a master’s degree in forest genetics or a closely related field;

or

• An equivalent combination of experience and training that includes two years of professional experience in forest genetics.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT:

• All positions require possession of an active motor vehicle license.