06/01/1989 54414

FOREST PROGRAM SPECIALIST

NATURE OF WORK: This is professional forestry work in developing and evaluating statewide programs from the central office in the Bureau of Forestry, Department of Environmental Resources or in the Pennsylvania Game Commission. The Forest Program Specialist develops, implements, coordinates, evaluates, and promotes statewide programs designed to manage, protect, and conserve forest resources.

DEFINITION: An employee in this class performs a variety of duties designed to plan, develop, schedule, implement, coordinate, and evaluate statewide forestry programs such as: forest fire protection, prevention and suppression, timber sales, facilities maintenance and construction, road maintenance and construction, forest resources utilization, forest resources planning, insect and disease identification and control, cooperative forest management, forest recreation, employee safety, and forest tree improvement. Work involves developing and recommending statewide goals, objectives, and priorities; developing and recommending program rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and guidelines; establishing program performance indicators, conducting evaluations of district implementation and management of the programs, and preparing reports on findings and recommendations. Work includes researching new methods, techniques, equipment, tools, and work aids available to perform the work; determining if they can be used in the statewide program and recommending the utilization of the methods and techniques and the purchase of the equipment, tools, and aids; evaluating the need for training for field personnel and planning, developing, scheduling, and conducting training programs and workshops for field personnel; and interpreting program goals, objectives, priorities, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and guidelines for field personnel. Work involves reviewing proposed legislation for possible impact on the program and recommending support, non-support or changes; and developing and presenting draft legislation needed to solve program problems, enhance the program, or initiate new program initiatives. Work is assigned in through statewide program goals, objectives, and priorities and the employee exercises considerable freedom and independent judgment in determining and recommending specific goals, objectives, and priorities for their program areas. Work is performed with considerable independence and is reviewed upon completion by a professional superior for completeness, attainment of goals, objectives, and priorities, technical accuracy, and quality.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Develops, recommends, implements, coordinates, monitors, and evaluates statewide program activities in one of the statewide programs such as: forest facilities maintenance and construction, timber sales, forest fire prevention and suppression, forest resources utilization, forest resources planning, forest road maintenance, forest insect and disease identification, forest insect spraying programs, cooperative forest management, forest recreation, employee safety, and forest tree improvement.

Develops, recommends, implements, coordinates, and evaluates statewide technical program rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.

Develops, recommends, implements, coordinates, and evaluates statewide technical program goals, objectives, and priorities.

Establishes program performance indicators and conducts evaluations on the forest field operations implementation and management of the forest field operations programs, and prepares reports outlining findings and recommendations.

Researches and evaluates new methods, techniques, equipment, tools, and work aids available to perform forestry activities; determines if they can be used for adapted for use in the statewide forestry program; and recommends the utilization of new or improved methods, techniques, equipment, tools, and work aids.

Evaluates the training needs of field personnel within the performance of program activities; and plans, schedules, and conducts training courses and workshops for field personnel to enable them to perform the program activities.

Interprets technical program goals, objectives, priorities, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and standards for field personnel, co-worker, and others.

Determines the need for equipment, tools, and work aids for field personnel and recommends the acquisition of the items; and trains field personnel in the proper operation, application, calibration, and routine maintenance of equipment, tools, and work aids utilized in the program.

Reviews proposed legislation for the possible impacts on the forest program and recommends whether management should support or oppose the proposed legislation, and develops and present draft legislation needed to solve problems, to enhance the program or initiate new program activities.

Drafts, presents, and finalizes approved educational and informational material such as pamphlets, posters, and brochures for use by students, special interest groups, civic groups and associations, and the public.

Prepares letters, reports, memoranda, and correspondence to exchange information with field personnel, co-workers, superiors, elected officials, and the public.

Performs similar work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of the rules, regulations, policies, and procedures governing forestry operations on public and private land.

Knowledge of the goals, objectives, practices, and principles of forest management.

Knowledge of the procedures, methods, and techniques utilized in conducting forest management, forest fire protection, forest insect and disease control, and recreational activities on public and private forest land.

Knowledge of the various species of timber normally found in Pennsylvania and northeastern United State.

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

Knowledge of methods, techniques, and procedures used in forest fire protection.

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

Knowledge of the methods, techniques, and procedures used in detecting and controlling destructive forest insects and diseases.

Ability to read, understand, interpret, and write technical forestry material.

Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Ability to perform mathematical calculations utilized in the forestry program.

Ability to develop and conduct training courses and workshops for field personnel.

Ability to develop, recommend, implement, coordinate, and evaluate forest program goals, objectives, and priorities.

Ability to develop, implement, coordinate, monitor, and evaluate statewide forestry programs.

Ability to develop and present informational and educational public information.

Ability to develop, recommend, implement, coordinate, and evaluate forest program rules, regulations, policies, procedures and standards.

Ability to read, understand and interpret technical program goals, objectives, priorities, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and standards for field personnel and co-workers.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, superiors, field personnel, and the public.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: Two years of experience as a Forester;

                                                                                                                                                                                         or

Two years of experience as a Forest Nursery Assistant Manager;

                                                                                                                                                                                         or

Any equivalent combination of experience and training which affords the applicant the required knowledges, skills, and abilities.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Possession of a valid motor vehicle operator's license, of the proper class for the vehicles operated, as issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.