Title: Area Forester-Southern River District
State Role Title: Natural Resource Spec III
Hiring Range: Starting at $44,192.00+ DOE with state benefits
Pay Band: 4
Agency: Department of Forestry
Location: Charlottesville, Nat Resrcs Dr
Agency Website: www.dof.virginia.gov
Recruitment Type: General Public - G
Job Duties
The Virginia Department of Forestry is seeking to hire an Area Forester for our Southern Rivers District in the Central Region. Area Foresters spend most of their time outside providing professional forestry advice and assistance to private landowners. This position reports to the District Forester and implements the agency's forest management program at the local level.
Duties include, but are not limited to:
•Providing professional forest management advice to forest landowners through technical assistance and forest management plan development
•Administering state and federal cost-share programs to support forest management projects
•Assessing and addressing forest health concerns
•Establishing and managing riparian buffers to protect streams, waterbodies, and wetlands
•Educating the general public and organizations of the benefits of trees and forests
•Preventing and suppressing wildland fires, including enforcing Virginia's fire laws
•Inspecting logging jobs for compliance with Virginia's Silvicultural Water Quality Law
Location: This Area Forester will be focused on providing services in Appomattox County. This position is part of the Southern Rivers District, which includes the counties of Appomattox, Charlotte, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, and Prince Edward.
Within 6 months of hire, the chosen candidate must reside in Appomattox County or within 30 minutes of the Dillwyn office within the district boundary.
This position is classified as having a home-based duty location, however there is a designated DOF office located in Dillwyn that can be used as needed. A take home state-owned vehicle, laptop, smartphone, and mobile printer will be provided.
Minimum Qualifications
Demonstrated knowledge of silviculture, forest measurements, wildfire suppression, prescribed burning, watershed protection, and forest health; experience in technical or professional natural resources work; ability to work independently; excellent organizational skills; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with personnel from various state and federal agencies, local planners, cooperators, and the public; public speaking skills and experience; demonstrated excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills; valid driver’s license; ability to negotiate different types of forested terrain on foot; ability to travel around the state and stay overnight on occasion; and experience with and ability to use a PC and Microsoft Office software required.
Additional Considerations
Experience in technical or professional natural resource management work; experience using Geographic Information Systems, GPS units, and digital mapping tools.
Special Instructions
You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.
Must be able to obtain a Virginia Commercial Pesticide Applicator's License within 6 months of employment. Must be able to obtain Commercial Driver’s License within 12 months of employment. As a responder for wildfires, must be willing and able to be on call during Spring and Fall fire seasons. Must pass moderate physical fitness test, per Federal guidelines. The test consists of walking 2 miles in 30 minutes carrying a 25-pound pack. Selected candidate is required to be drug tested and pass a criminal background check.
The Virginia Department of Forestry is an Emergency Response agency, as such, all employees may be required to provide support during emergency situations; this may include nights, weekends or holidays as the need arises.
Contact Information
Name: Kristina Clore
Phone: 434-529-7244
Email: kristina.clore@dof.virginia.gov
In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.
Note Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.
The Commonwealth of Virginia is located in the South Atlantic region of the United States. It was the 10th state to be admitted to the Union on June 25, 1788. Home to approximately 8 million residents, Virginia is the 12th most populous state in the United States. The capital is Richmond, and its most populous city is Virginia Beach.
The narrative history of the Commonwealth of Virginia often begins with the founding of Jamestown in 1607, near what is now modern day Williamsburg, Virginia. Jamestown became the first permanent English settlement in the New World, and the Virginia General Assembly, established on July 30, 1619, is now recognized as the oldest legislative body in the western hemisphere. When Virginia became a royal colony in 1624, the robust tobacco trade that had been developing in Virginia helped establish the American colonies as a powerful economic force. During the American Revolution, Virginia witnessed the final surrender of British forces at Yorktown and later became known as the birthplace of many revolution-era figures and future American presidents, including George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. To date, 8 United States presidents have been born in Virginia, more than in any other state.
The modern government of Virginia is nearly identical in structure to the federal government, and is divided into 3 branches, these being the executive, legislative, and judiciary branches. The Virginia General Assembly is comprised of the 100-member House of Delegates and the 40-member Senate. A governor and lieutenant governor are elected every 4 years. Governors cannot be elected to or serve consecutive terms. Virginia’s judicial system consists of the Supreme Court of Virginia and the Court of Appeals of Virginia, the Circuit Courts, and the lower General District Courts and the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courts. Virginia has 13 electoral votes in presidential elections, and possesses 11 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.
