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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
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POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING |
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Position Number: 50381581 |
Description Activated On: 4/3/2026 7:35:51 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. This position is responsible for the statewide development and implementation of applied plant ecology programs and native plant habitat management on state forest and other lands. This includes coordination of native planting and seeding funding for state forest districts; habitat improvement and/or restoration using native seed mixes; management of Wild Plant Sanctuaries, plant community monitoring on State Forest lands, and providing expertise in native, non-native, and invasive plant identification. This position manages the PA Vulnerable Plant Program statewide. This includes evaluating applications for PA Vulnerable Plant Commercial Licenses, maintaining collection data reported by certified Dealers, reporting out to the US Fish and Wildlife Service regarding annual harvests of PA Vulnerable plants, and training DCNR staff in regards to enforcement, certification and enhancement of habitat for PA Vulnerable plant species. This position will also serve as a subject matter expert in regards to Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs), particularly in regards to harvested native plant species. This position conducts Environmental Review for species under DCNR’s jurisdiction (native plants, terrestrial invertebrates, and ecological communities) on State Forest and State Gamelands and aids the Division of Forest Fire Protection in assessing prescribed fire plans for potential impacts to state-listed species. This includes preparing Conservation Measures to minimize potential impacts to these species and advising Bureau of Forestry and Game Commission staff on active management and stewardship projects for the species under DCNR’s jurisdiction. This position also provides ecological expertise to the Department, State Forester’s office, Bureau field offices, other Bureau Divisions/Programs and the public in regards to effective conservation and management native flora within Pennsylvania; and aids the Department, the Bureau, other agencies and the public with the expertise needed to identify, evaluate, inventory, and successfully manage native wild plant species needing protection. |
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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. Duty 1. Serve as the manager of the PA Vulnerable Plant Program for the Bureau of Forestry. Tasks: 1. Evaluate Pennsylvania Vulnerable Plant Commercial License applications and serve as the contact for certified dealers in Pennsylvania. 2. Manage the database of reported collections of PA Vulnerable Species, including entering data from dealer reports and providing required reports to the US Fish and Wildlife Service regarding annual harvests. 3. Train DCNR staff in regards to American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) certification, enforcement of Rules and Regulations, conservation of wild ginseng and enhancement of habitat for all PA Vulnerable plants. 4. Work with DCNR staff, the PA Natural Heritage Program, the Vascular Plant Technical Committee and other stakeholders to assess additional species for classification as PA Vulnerable Plant Species. 5. Serve as one of the subject matter experts within DCNR for Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs), particularly in regards to harvested native plant species. Duty 2. Perform Environmental Review of management activities on state forest and state game lands for state-listed wild plants (including required habitat), terrestrial invertebrates, and ecological communities. Tasks: 1. Conduct Environmental Review and necessary surveys or field views for proposed projects (e.g., timber sales, prescribed fire, new trails, gas activities) and new acquisitions on Bureau of Forestry lands concerning species of special concern under DCNR’s jurisdiction (state-listed wild plants, terrestrial invertebrates, and ecological communities). 2. Conduct Environmental Review and necessary surveys or field views for proposed projects (e.g., timber sales, prescribed fire, new trails, gas activities) on State Gamelands concerning species of special concern under DCNR’s jurisdiction (state-listed wild plants, terrestrial invertebrates, and ecological communities). 3. Aid the Division of Forest Fire Protection in assessing prescribed fire plans for potential impacts to state-listed species. 4. Work closely with managers of state lands to provide guidance on proactive ways to reduce potential impacts to state-listed wild plants. 5. Develop mitigation and habitat restoration guidelines where appropriate. Coordinate with other Ecological Services staff biologists when multiple resources are present to provide a clear resolution. 6.Complete field forms and mapping information for any new species of special concern occurrences located during field surveys and submit new records to the Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program to be entered into the PA Natural Diversity Inventory database (PNDI). 7. Stay knowledgeable and up to date on PNDI/PACE, Conservation Opportunity Areas Tool, Bat Habitat Conservation Plan, the US Fish and Wildlife Service iPac Tool and other environmental review tools. Duty 3. Coordinate and manage the statewide native planting and seeding program for supplemental planting of native trees, shrubs, grasses, and forbs on state forest lands. Tasks: 1. Develop and identify planting best management practices for native grasses, forbs, shrubs, and trees on state forest lands. 2. Develop guidelines on general native seed mixes for various locations, ecological goals, and management circumstances. 3. Manage allocated native planting and seeding funding for the Bureau of Forestry, including distribution of funds, tracking of expenses, and periodic reporting to Bureau staff. 4. Provide input and guidance into the use of native plant materials to accomplish statewide ecosystem management goals on State Forest lands. 5. Promote native planting guidance and assist the Bureau, the public, and other agencies in integrating the use of native plants into their work. Duty 4: Coordinate management of Wild Plant Sanctuaries and High Conservation Value Areas (HCVAs) across state forest lands. Tasks: 1. Coordinate the management of Wild Plant Sanctuaries on State Forest lands, including: writing and revising management site management plans, conducting botanical inventory and monitoring of unique resources or species, and active stewardship of these areas. 2. Work in partnership with field districts to recommend the designation of new Plant Sanctuaries on state forest lands when appropriate. 3. Collaborate with Ecological Services ecologists, the Forest Planning Section and Bureau field staff to assist in the development of management plans and design monitoring protocols when necessary at HCVA sites on state forest lands. Duty 5: Provide assistance with education, stewardship, and development of the goals and objectives for the successful management of native wild plant species and their habitats on State Forest lands and forested lands throughout the Commonwealth. Tasks: 1. Assist Bureau of Forestry and other agency personnel with wild plant identification and conduct wild plant identification and management training sessions for Bureau of Forestry personnel. 2. Review the health of extant populations of state-listed plant species on public lands on a periodic schedule. 3. Identify research needs for wild plant management and protection. 4. Coordinate with the PA Plant Conservation Alliance with regards to the development and implementation of species recovery plans. 5. Assist Bureau of Forestry staff in the prioritization, monitoring and treatment of non- native, invasive plant species on State Forest lands. 6. Provide technical guidance to Bureau of Forestry staff regarding ecosystem management, habitat restoration, plant ecology and vegetation monitoring techniques. Duty 6. Conduct ecological monitoring or assessment and coordinate active management projects when work will enhance native plant species or communities and contribute to ecological goals as directed by resource management plans. Tasks: 1. Assist in the development of protocols and conduct inventories, monitoring, and data collection regarding plants (native and invasive) and plant communities on state forest lands and other lands. 2. Coordinate active management projects to enhance native plant species habitat and ecological communities on state forest lands and other lands. 3. Cooperate and collaborate with staff within the Bureau of Forestry as well as partners outside DCNR regarding plant ecology and adaptive forest management projects. 4. Send recommendations and field reports to the appropriate agency/partner, forest district and supervisor. Also communicate any adaptive management recommendations or avoidance measures based on monitoring outcomes to the forest districts and supervisor. 5. Coordinate with outside researchers and compile relevant monitoring data. 6. Utilize field tracking and reporting techniques such as: GPS and GIS to document plant locations and populations and produce field reports to capture assessments and discussions in the field. Duty 7. Provide technical guidance and outreach on a statewide level regarding plant ecology, adaptive forest management projects and other ecological management topics, to state land managers, foresters, DCNR planners and policy makers, and private landowners. Tasks: 1. Establish working relationships with the PA Natural Heritage Program, PA Fish and Boat Commission, PA Game Commission, US Fish and Wildlife Service and other partners such as researchers and conservation groups. 2. Attends appropriate meetings, training programs and conferences to present findings, garner technical assistance, and stay abreast of emerging issues and management techniques relevant to native plant management, wildlife habitat creation and ecological monitoring within the Commonwealth. 3. Prepares articles and reports as needed regarding habitat management activities of the Bureau of Forestry. 4. Present to interested public stakeholders and partner organizations regarding native plant management, plant ecology, and forest conservation. Duty 8. Other duties as necessary. |
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. This position is in the Ecological Services Section, which is responsible for advancing the ecosystem management goals of the Bureau of Forestry. This position will coordinate ecological fieldwork, develop program activities and review goals and management plans periodically with the Section, their supervisor, field offices, and State Forester’s office. Program priorities are set in consultation with the Section, their supervisor, field offices, and State Forester’s office. |
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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. N/A 2. N/A 3. N/A 4. 5. 6. |
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Essential Functions: Provide a list of essential functions for this position. Example: Transports boxes weighing up to 60 pounds.
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