Forest Technician (Technologists & Technicians)

  Dept of Forestry

  Amherst, Virginia, United States

Performs paraprofessional technical forest management work in assigned work area.

Duties include: inspecting harvested tracts to ensure compliance with Water Quality laws; 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 cooperators; assisting with fire prevention programs; collecting field data to use for silvicultural recommendations; providing oversight to contractors and crews on tree planting projects; assisting with GPS and GIS mapping on forested areas; participating in special initiatives/projects as designated.

Minimum Qualifications 

Associate's Degree in Forestry or a related field; or High School Diploma or GED plus equivalent field experience required. Forest management and/or logging training and 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.

Preferred Qualifications 

Knowledge of Best Management Practices for forestry and logging; experience in heavy equipment operation; training and experience in wildland fire fighting; and experience and skill in public speaking desired.

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