Natural Resource Specialist 1 (Forester) (Forester)

Full Time

  Oregon Department of Forestry (http://www.oregonjobs.org)

  Astoria, Oregon, United States

There is one permanent, full-time positions available in the State Forests division of the Oregon Department of Forestry located in Astoria. 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 regarding these positions, please contact Derek Bangs, Jewel Unit Forester, at (503)325-5451.

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.

The Astoria District is one of five districts in the Northwest Oregon Area, which is one of three administrative Areas within the Oregon Department of Forestry.  One of the Department's programs that the District administers is the State Forests Management Division.

The District manages 137,000 acres of the Clatsop State Forest in accordance with the State Forests Management Division's mission.  Board of Forestry lands are managed to achieve the greatest permanent value (healthy, productive and sustainable forest ecosystems) and Common School forest lands are managed to maximize revenues over the long term in a manner that is consistent with protecting environmental values. Science-based approaches that include active and integrated resource management techniques are utilized to insure that economic, environmental and social benefits are produced in a sustainable manner.
 
State Forests in the Astoria District amount to 17% of the total acreage involved in the statewide program and currently account for approximately 25% of the annual timber harvest.  The current fiscal budget for the District amounts to $4.2 million.

The purpose of this position is to carry out tasks associated with unit goals which contribute to the mission of the Oregon Department of Forestry, as assigned by the Sunset Unit Forester.  The vital few actions carried out by this position are to develop and implement annual operations plans to achieve the goals and objectives of FMPs, and IPs. Tasks done to accomplish this include field and office preparation and administration of timber sale contracts, road construction contracts, road construction projects, directing and/or assisting with road maintenance, T & E species surveys, site preparation, and reforestation operations.

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

Duties & Responsibilities

Duties include, but may not be limited to:

FOREST RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Timber Sale Preparation

  • Performs field reconnaissance of timber sale areas
  • Prepares Pre-Sale Reports and maps
  • Locates and designs logging access roads
  • Marks/cruises timber
  • Performs forest inventory cruising, using the Stand Level Inventory (SLI) system
  • Chooses trees/snags for wildlife retention
  • Prepares logging and site preparation plans
  • Calculates timber cruise results and timber appraisals
  • Prepares timber sale maps using GIS
  • Prepares contract and project provisions
Site Preparation and Reforestation
  • Makes preliminary site preparation plans for timber sales
  • Burns logging slash on timber sale areas
CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION
  • Performs field inspections of timber sale  and project work contract areas
  • Enforces the timber sale contract and state forest laws
  • Writes inspection reports and makes recommendations to Unit Forester regarding contract actions or modifications
OTHER DUTIES
  • Fire Protection:  Takes suppression action, as needed, on District and/or Statewide wildfires.
  • Public Education:  Works in public education activities, such as field trips, school programs, county fair displays, etc.
  • Training:  Trains, through on-the-job training, less experienced unit co-workers, and other personnel, as assigned.
  • As assigned.
Because the Department's highest priority work is a forest fire emergency, this position will be utilized during those emergencies to provide assistance in a variety of ways. That assistance may be directly aiding the emergency effort in the field or at the Salem headquarters. It also may be in providing backup to fill in for another position that is being used in direct aid to the emergency, or it may be in performing an essential function in some capacity either within this Program or elsewhere in Salem or in the field.

Working Conditions:

Normal working conditions are carried out in steep, brushy terrain in all types of weather.  Travel may involve driving narrow, hazardous logging roads during wet and muddy road conditions.  Job requires, from time to time, long hours and work on weekends during slash burning, fire suppression and project work activities.

Qualifications, Required & Requested Skills

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

  • A Bachelor's degree in Forestry or a closely related natural resource science; OR
  • Three years of experience in a Forestry or closely related natural resource field

NOTE: 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 transcripts 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 ideal candidate for this position will be a highly motivated self-starter with excellent written and verbal communication skills.  The individual will also be seasoned in timber sale layout and contract administration and enjoy working in a team environment alongside other professional foresters. Clearly demonstrate experience and/or education in:
  • Timber sale layout
  • Timber cruising and inventory
  • Use of LIDAR, GIS, and GPS
  • Road layout/access
  • Logging systems
The ideal candidate will also have a professional ethic that is aligned with the Oregon Department of Forestry's mission, vision, and values.

NOTE: 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 three-year court/DMV printout at the time of interview.

ODF Standards for operation of State vehicles is more stringent than State license laws and includes as unacceptable:
  • 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 infraction in the previous 12 months
Additional Information

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

To improve communication with all applicants the State of Oregon now 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 insure clear communication, please unfilter emails from neogov.com and governmentjobs.com.

To apply, follow the "Apply" link above and complete the Oregon Employment Application online. All application materials must be received by the closing date/time posted on this announcement.

This announcement has supplemental information required for submission. Please see the SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS section of this announcement.

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.

If you require an alternate format in order to complete the employment process, you may call ODF Human Resources at 503-945-7200.

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

Compensation

$3,129.00 - $4,545.00*

*SEIU represented employees who are Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) participating members will have their base salary increased by 6.95%. Upon becoming a PERS participating member, SEIU employees pay the employee 6% contribution to PERS.