Position Description

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING
Position Number: 00052986	Description Activated On: 4/13/2026 10:36:16 AM

Position Purpose: Describe the primary purpose of this position and how it contributes to the organization’s objectives. Example: Provides clerical and office support within the Division to ensure its operations are conducted efficiently and effectively.

To assist the District Forester by providing professional and technical services in the management of natural resources on State Forest Land and to protect all forested land in the District from wildfires and other destructive agents, consistent with Bureau and District policies and objectives.

Description of Duties: Describe in detail the duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Descriptions should include the major end result of the task. Example: Types correspondence, reports, and other various documents from handwritten drafts for review and signature of the supervisor.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

 The employee is responsible for conducting an examination of assigned management compartments and landscape areas to determine the type and extent of its resources; propose and prescribe Silvicultural treatments for timber stands in the compartments and landscape; after approval designate timber sale areas; mark or designate trees to be sold; locate, survey, and estimate the construction cost of haul roads which may be required; compile the necessary data for the sale and forward it to the Silviculture Office for processing; plan, coordinate, and conduct forest management treatments to achieve desirable stand conditions.
 During the operation of the timber sale the employee is responsible for working with the Buyer to maintain contract compliance and environmental quality. Additionally, the employee will plan, perform, and coordinate other management activities with district staff, contractors, volunteers, and other agencies as approved. These may include but aren’t limited too: wildlife habitat improvement projects, recreation projects, regeneration projects, forest health projects, and infrastructure development.
 Maintaining records and files of resource management activities.
 Participate in planning, implementing, and coordinating forest recreation projects within the district.
 Assist in completion of land survey and acquisition duties, to include assisting surveyors and writing environmental reviews.
 Assist with the Leased Camp program for the Department according to the District and Bureau policy.
 Assist in the maintenance of State Forest roads, bridges, buildings, trails, boundary lines, and vehicles.
 Plan, propose, coordinate, and participate in regeneration and forest health funded activities.
 Issue permits for forest products including fuelwood, shale, stone, sawdust, and non-timber forest products. Determine value of products and monitor permittee for compliance.
 Performs forest inventory and resource planning functions.
 Assist Service Forester to provide the public with forestry assistance through Bureau Programs.
 Identify invasive species and participate in developing and implementing plans for their control.

FOREST FIRE PROTECTION

The employee assists in accomplishing the district’s fire program objectives. Activities required include:
 Performs initial attack duties on wildfires. Act as Incident Commander and other roles as assigned on wildfires by coordinating fire suppression activities of forest fire wardens and volunteer fire companies.
 Participate in planning and implementation of prescribed fire to achieve forest management goals including wildfire pre-suppression.
 Participates in pre-suppression activities including fire warden training, revisions of the Fire Resource Plan, conducting aircraft surveillance, and district prevention activities.
 Conduct or assist with fire investigation and the preparation of fire bills and reports.

FOREST HEALTH MANAGEMENT

 The employee serves as the coordinator of the district’s Forest Health Management Programs by coordinating field surveys, aerial defoliation and mortality mapping, special studies, and submitting reports regarding insects and diseases.
 The employee coordinates the district’s insect control projects by evaluating the need to spray on assigned areas of State Forest land. Employee also acts as lead worker coordinating the operations of a spray aircraft during the insecticide application.

SPECIAL DUTIES

The employee, on an as necessary basis completes additional special duties including:
 After appointment as a State Forest Officer, enforcement of State Forest Rules and Regulations according to Bureau policy.
 Providing programs for special groups and coordinate the development of displays and public information about the state forest.
 Attend work related training sessions.
 Operate and maintain assigned equipment and vehicles including pickup truck, ATV, UTV, snowmobile, chainsaw, data recorder, computer, and the related required reports.
 Serve as District computer coordinator and carry out computer system maintenance as required.
 Serves as District Fisheries / Aquatic Management coordinator, working with Fish and Boat Commission, Conservation Districts, Trout Unlimited, and other entities with interest in these aquatic features.
 Coordinate collection of seed for nursery production.
 Performs other various tasks as assigned.

Decision Making: Describe the types of decisions made by the incumbent of this position and the types of decisions referred to others. Identify the problems or issues that can be resolved at the level of this position, versus those that must be referred to the supervisor. Example: In response to a customer inquiry, this work involves researching the status of an activity and preparing a formal response for the supervisor’s signature.

General instructions are received on new assignments. Routine duties are performed according to established methods and procedures. Initiative and good judgment is exercised after experience is gained on the job. Assignments are reviewed during progress and upon completion for compliance with standards.

Requirements Profile: Identify any specific experience or requirements, such as a licensure, registration, or certification, which may be necessary to perform the functions of the position. Position-specific requirements should be consistent with a Special Requirement or other criteria identified in the classification specification covering this position. Example: Experience using Java; Professional Engineer License

Experience:

Licenses, registrations, or certifications:

1.   Class C Driver's License

2.   N/A

3.   N/A

4.

5.

6.

Essential Functions: Provide a list of essential functions for this position. Example: Transports boxes weighing up to 60 pounds.

1.	Communicate with associates in both oral and written format.
2.	Observe safety and health practices requirements.
3.	Accurately collect and analyze forest data and determine proper treatments to achieve desired future conditions.
4.	Ability to learn, apply and communicate Bureau of Forestry policies and procedures.
5.	Inspect and oversee projects to ensure contract compliance.
6.	Read and interpret technical forestry material.
7.	Frequently work outdoors under adverse weather conditions.
8.	Frequently negotiate rough and uneven terrain of the forest over long distances.
9.	Operate a motor vehicle.
10.	Carry work materials up to 40 lbs. over uneven terrain.