Field Forester (Forester)

Natural Resource Specialist 1 (Field Forester)

There are currently two Limited Duration, full-time positions open with the Oregon Department of Forestry located in Klamath Falls.  Due to funding source guidelines,these positions may be unscheduled and not work during the months of December, January and February. This announcement will be used to establish a list of qualified candidates for these positions and may be used to fill future vacancies as they occur. For specific questions, please contact Randall Baley, Klamath Protection Unit Forester, at 541-883-5680. 

These Limited Duration assignments are expected to end no later than November 1, 2019.  Expected work timeline is March 1, 2018 through November 30, 2018 and March 1, 2019 through November 1, 2019.

The Oregon Department of Forestry's (ODF) Mission is – To serve the people of Oregon through the protection, management, and promotion of a healthy forest environment, which will enhance Oregon's livability and economy for today and tomorrow. ODF is a multi-programmed, multi-funded public agency chartered and structured to administer the forest laws and policies of the State of Oregon, within the framework of sustainable forests, for the benefit of all Oregonians.

These positions exist solely through grant funding from a variety of sources, including but not limited to, the ODF Federal Forest Restoration Program (FFRP), the U.S. Forest Service via Community Assistance Grants and Good Neighbor Authority (GNA), Farm Service Agency (FSA), and in particular the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) through a Statewide Cooperative Agreement.  Funding from these sources is provided to deliver forestry assistance to private and Federal landowners in Klamath and Lake Counties. The assistance to Federal landowners is to accelerate the pace and scale of Federal Forest Health restoration activities.  The 2014 Farm Bill provides private landowner assistance and is provided by this position to help them in their efforts to improve forest health, restore ecosystems and reduce the potential for catastrophic wildfires.  The activities of these positions can have direct effects on local residents, private landowners, and natural resources at a landscape scale. These activities may also have significant impacts on social and economic aspects of businesses, especially forest contractors and operators, and local communities as well as furthering ODF's ability to provide assistance to landowners in direct alignment with the Department's goals.

The primary purpose of these positions are to conduct technical forestry assistance tasks associated with NRCS forestry projects and National Fire Plan projects including: inventory, field layout, inspections and certification on non-industrial private forest land.  These positions provide FSA with technical assistance on reforestation projects including: site prep and planting plans, field layout, spot checks and certification.  They also participate in fire suppression activities at the unit, district, and statewide levels in a variety of capacities as necessary.  These positions also conduct technical forestry tasks associated with GNA such as presale inventory, timber sale layout, marking, cruising, boundary establishment, road layout, contract development, and contract administration.  

NOTE:  Work boots (minimum 8" high leather boots with vibram sole) are required by employees.  These position may be required to wear a department uniform and boots when appropriate and when assigned to fire incidents.

The Oregon Department of Forestry: Serving Oregonians by protecting Oregon's forests.

Major duties of these positions are to:

Perform technical forestry assistance for NRCS, GNA, FFRP, FSA, National Fire Plan and other ODF administered grant projects:   
 

• Assist landowners to identify eligible projects on their property that meet the established/defined guidelines for forestry projects and specific funding source.
• Conduct forest stand inventory, timber sale layout, cruising, administration, certification of forestland to conduct forestry practices.
• When criteria is met, lay out the boundary(s) of the potential units to be treated, timber sale boundaries, harvest units, while meeting the objectives of the agreements.
• Assist landowners in coordinating with the respective Forest Service and NRCS personnel to ensure documents and relevant processes are followed for Forest Service and NRCS funded projects.  Assist landowners with completion of the necessary application paperwork for ODF administered projects. 
• Write project specifications and convey them to the landowner and operator before, during and after a project and consult with NRCS or Forest Service personnel or the Unit Forester to clear up discrepancies while writing or implementing the specifications. 
• Conduct regular inspections of projects in order to identify compliance issues and address them at the earliest time possible to reduce replication of practices and unnecessary waste of time and effort.
• Perform interim and final inspections of projects to assure compliance with the specifications.  If the project is out of compliance, inform the landowner and contractor of the necessary measures to be taken to come into compliance.  Certify that projects meet specifications and inform NRCS and ODF for payment purposes.
• Monitor projects for compliance/non-compliance with respect to the Oregon Forest Practices Act.  Make recommendations to meet or exceed FPA standards on projects.  Elevate concerns to the Stewardship Forester in instances where FPA standards are at risk of not being met, or may not be met.
• Under direction of the Unit Forester, generate reports and provide documentation on "deliverables" as required by the NRCS Contribution Agreement and/or other funding sources.
• Map projects using a GPS in conjunction with ArcGIS software and maintain accurate, updated landowner/project files. Develop timber sale logging plans, Exhibit A's, and appropriate maps as needed for landowners and timber sale contracts.
• Provide information to landowners on routine insect and disease issues, commercial harvesting, and road maintenance/improvement as needed.
• Attend meetings to assist in coordination and development of future projects related to non-industrial private forest lands, including the use of EQIP funds, Conservation Implementation Strategies, and Regional Conservation Partnership Program, GNA, and FFRP.
• Work with NRCS staff in the establishment of ranking criteria and prioritization of projects.
• Assist with timber sale planning, timber cruising and inventory, contract preparation, harvest and road layout, contract administration, and appropriate accomplishment reporting for such activities.

• May perform in a variety of positions within the ICS such as incident commander, engine boss and/or engine crew person during absences of the seasonal fire workforce, and other firefighting roles commensurate with qualifications on local and statewide fires.
• Operates vehicles, fire engines, portable pumps, hand tools, chainsaws, and other firefighting equipment.
• May conduct initial attack on fires. Size up, direct attack, indirect attack.
• Perform manual labor tasks in building fire line, operating engine & hose lays.     
• Performs mop-up with hand tools, backpack pumps, engines, hose lays.
• Works with cooperating agencies and landowners during fire suppression.
• May supervise firefighters and coordinate fire fighting equipment during fire suppression.
• Directs and promotes fire line safety.
• May also perform in non-operational fire roles such as, development of IAP's, logistics etc.

Minimum Qualifications:
 

• A Bachelor's degree in Forestry or a closely related natural resource science;

• Three years of experience in Forestry or closely related natural resource field

Transcripts are required to be attached to your application if you are using education or coursework to meet the minimum qualifications. Transcripts must clearly show 1) your name; 2) the name and address of the institution; 3) the degree received and; 4) required courses completed with a passing grade. For application purposes, unofficial copies are acceptable; however official or original documents may be requested to validate education. Transcripts must be attached to your application and WILL NOT be accepted as verification of education after the announcement has closed.

Desired Attributes:

• The ability to work independently.
• Good communication skills (oral and written).
• The ability to facilitate meetings of diverse stakeholders.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Long-term project development outlook.
• Ability to use the tools commonly used in forestry work.
• Experience with eastside forest management and silviculture.
• Demonstrates good working knowledge of wildland fire danger and fire behavior.
• Possess current wildland fire qualifications and have the ability to serve as an Initial Attack Incident Commander or act as overhead on in-district, area, and state fires; may serve on an Incident Management Team.

NOTE: These positions require the operation of a State vehicle for the purpose of conducting official State business. An Oregon driving record check will be conducted on the top applicants to ensure a valid license and acceptable driving record.  If your license is from outside Oregon, you must submit at least a three year court/DMV printout at the time of interview.

An unacceptable driving record includes:

• Conviction of a major traffic offense within the previous 24 months which includes reckless driving, driving under the influence, failing to perform the duties of a driver, criminal driving while suspended or revoked, fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, felony hit and run, etc.;
• Felony revocation of driving privileges or felony or misdemeanor license suspension within the previous 24 months;
• More than 3 moving traffic violations in the previous 12 months;
• A careless driving conviction in the previous 12 months;
• A Class A moving traffic violation in the previous 12 months.

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

To improve communication with all applicants the State of Oregon requires an e-mail address be provided on all applications.  If you do not currently have an e-mail address and do not know where to go to get one, please refer to our Applicant Frequently Asked Questions web page to view several links to internet providers where you can get a free e-mail account. The State of Oregon does not endorse any particular provider.

To ensure clear communication, please unfilter emails from neogov.com and governmentjobs.com.

Please note: The employee in this position will be represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and will be subject to all terms and conditions of the collective bargaining agreement.  Pay and benefits on all job announcements may change without further notice.

If you require an alternate format in order to complete the employment process, you may call ODF Human Resources at 503-945-7306.

Only complete applications will be considered. Your answers to the supplemental questions must be reflected in the work experience section of your application. Be sure to answer all supplemental questions and attach all required documents. Responses to the supplemental questions will determine if you meet the minimum qualifications, any special qualifications and/or desired attributes for the position. Do not submit a resume in place of completing the Supplemental Questionnaire or the Work Experience section of the application. 

Qualified applicants whose responses most closely match the requirements for this position will be invited to interview. Transcripts must be submitted to receive credit for education coursework at the time of application.

Veterans - If you are an eligible veteran and you meet the minimum qualifications, veterans' preference points will be added to your score. To receive veterans' preference points you MUST attach to your electronic application the following required documentation:

• A copy of the DD214/215 for the five (5) point preference;
• OR A copy of the DD214/215; AND a veteran's disability preference letter from the United States Department of Veterans' Affairs for the ten (10) point preference.

For more information on veterans' preference points visit www.oregonjobs.org, and select veterans' preference.

PLEASE NOTE: The Oregon Department of Forestry does not offer visa sponsorships. Within three days of hire, all applicants will be required to complete U.S. Department of Homeland Security form I-9, confirming authorization to work in the United States.
 

THE OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY, AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER COMMITTED TO WORK FORCE DIVERSITY