Title: Forest Technician-New River District
State Role Title: Natural Resource Spec II
Hiring Range: $37,000.00-$50,000.00
Pay Band: 3
Agency: Department of Forestry
Location: Western Office Floyd
Agency Website: www.dof.virginia.gov
Recruitment Type: General Public - G
Job Duties
Location: The Department of Forestry is seeking to fill a Forest Technician position in our New River District encompassing the counties of Carroll, Floyd, Grayson, Pulaski, Bland, Wythe, Patrick, Henry and Franklin in the Western Region.This is a permanent position with residency requirements. Incumbent must live within Pulaski County or western Floyd County within six months of hire. This position reports to the District Forester.
Incumbent performs paraprofessional technical forest management work in assigned work area.
Duties include: inspecting harvested tracts to ensure compliance with Virginia's Silvicultural Water Quality Law; enforcing the Forest Fire, Water Quality, and Seed Tree Laws; protecting forested land in accordance with the Department’s Fire Readiness Plan as a responder; using heavy equipment in fire suppression and other activities; providing fire suppression training to local part-time crews and cooperators; assisting with fire prevention programs; collecting field data; providing oversight to contractors and crews on tree planting projects; and participating in special initiatives/projects as designated.
Minimum Qualifications
Natural resources and/or agricultural training / experience; basic wildland firefighting knowledge / experience; effective written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills; ability to effectively and efficiently work with minimal supervision; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse group of individuals; ability to perform basic math functions; strong organizational skills; ability to correctly complete basic reports; 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
Knowledge and working experience of Best Management Practices for forestry and logging; experience in heavy equipment maintenance and operation; extensive training and experience in wildland fire fighting with a current red card; and experience and demonstrated experience in public speaking desired.
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 Class B Commercial Driver’s License within twelve 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, prior to employment offer. 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 Estep
Phone: 434-529-7244
Email: kristina.estep@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.
