Job Information
State of Montana Forester 1- Southwestern / Good Neighbor Authority Forester in Missoula, Montana
Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation's mission is to help ensure that Montana's land and water resources provide benefits for present and future generations. The DNRC believes employees are their most important asset. The DNRC empowers employees to exercise professional judgment in carrying out their duties. Employees are provided with the training and tools necessary to achieve the mission. Both team effort and individual employee expertise are supported and sustained. Core Values: The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation’s Forestry and Trust Land Division recognizes that building a collaborative, professional, and inclusive work environment is critical to fulfilling our mission of managing, protecting, and promoting stewardship of Montana’s forests and lands for the benefit of current and future generations and our trust beneficiaries. We hold ourselves to these high standards as we are accountable to the people of Montana. * We value and respect each other. * We create collaborative work environments. * We build and maintain strong relationships. * We practice accountability. * We celebrate our successes and take pride in our work. Job Overview: Forester will perform professional forest management activities under the general supervision of the Good Neighbor Forest Management Supervisor. The incumbent plans, coordinates, and implements projects necessary to sell timber or relatedproducts from federal lands. These projects are complex and must be designed on a case-by-case basis to conform to numerous constraints and respond to multiple issues. Each project must be implemented in accordance with The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) rules and will require the preparation of document(s) disclosing the adequate level of analysis for each project and may require preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement. This position would serve a support role for preparation of complex, large-volume forest product sales, timber permits, and other forest product sales. Level 1 Forester will handle the less complex issues; coordinate more closely and require more assistancefrom direct supervisor. They manage their area budget allocations and ensure they meet their assigned annual yields, while coordinating efforts with other land offices and foresters within their unit. Essential Functions (Major Duties or Responsibilities): These job functions are the essential duties of theposition and are not all-inclusive of all the duties that may be assigned to the incumbent. Good Neighbor Forest Management * Plan,coordinateandevaluateactivitiesonfederallandstoprovideforthesustainableuseofthelandandassociatedresources, and to ensure adherence to state and federal laws and regulations. * Conductingfieldworktoverifyandupdaterecords. * Implementtimbersalesbyadministeringcontracts. * Assistinadministeringpermits,resourceprotectionplans,resourceimprovementprojects,or implement compliance actions. * Establishprojectboundaries. * Assistindesignspecificationsforaerialand/orground-basedloggingsystems. * Design/maintainroadsystems,streamcrossingsandbridgesorreconstructionspecifications for state land and or/adjacent ownership. * Supervisetimber-volumecruisedesignsandmarkingwithseasonalforestrytechniciansand supervise and participate in other sale layout activities * ImplementLand Management Plans andensurecompliancewith NEPA design features andsilviculturalprescriptions. Inventory and monitor land resources to assess conditions, trends and concerns. * Preparetechnicalwrittenreportsconcerningtheimpactofprojectsand prepareallsale-package documents for Land Officeand Good NeighborBureau review anddistribution. These include the NEPA Design Features Crosswalk, Timber Sale Contract, Prospectus,NoticeofSale,SummaryofActionsandothersummariesoftimbervalues,cruise documentation, forest improvement appraisal, road and logging costs, and specifications. * Workwithinassigned allocationofbudgetandcapitalwhileensuringharvest goalsaremet. * Respondtoinquiriesorrequestsfortechnicalassistanceregardingthedevelopment, interpretation or implementation of rules, regulations and department programs. * Participateinpublichearings,monitorinputfromindustry,affectedgroupsandthepublic, obtain data and recommend strategies or actions. * Mitigatedisputeswithprivatelandowners,contractorsorgeneralpublic,escalatingwhenneeded. * Determine and oversee forest restoration treatments on assigned parcels including thinning, timberstandimprovementhazardandfuelsreduction,weedspraying,roadmaintenanceneeds and planting after timber sales or as needed. * Performactivitiesinwildland-firemanagementthatrelatetotheresponsibilitiesoftheUnit; coordinate non-complex burns with county and burn plans. APPLICATION MATERIALS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION ARE: * * Online State of Montana application * Resume * Cover Letter *HELPFUL HINT: You must check the “relevant document” box to ensure your attachments are uploading correctly to the specific application. Benefits: * Paid Vacation, Sick Leave and Holidays * Health, Dental, Prescription, and Vision Coverage * Retirement Plans * Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) – Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under the PSLF. Look here, https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service to learn more and see if you may qualify! If you are interested in a complete job description please contact HR at Stacey.Gabrio@mt.gov.* Required knowledge, skills, and abilities: The required knowledge, skills and abilities are acquired through a bachelor’s degree in ForestManagement or a related resource management field and one year of job-related professional forest management experience. May consider alternative combinations of education and experience. The position requires knowledge of forest management principles and practices; equipment and techniques used in forest management projects and operations; forest practices and hazard reduction laws, Administrative Rules, standards, guidelines, policies, and procedures related to forest management operations and activities; and considerable knowledge of the National Environmental Policy Act and related laws and rules governing natural resource management. Knowledge of the terminology, principles, methods and approaches used in silviculture, ecology, hydrology, wildlife and fisheries biology. Specific knowledge of plant taxonomy, habitat typing, timber cruising, log scaling, harvesting systems, data collection and sampling techniques; road design and layout; fire behavior, fire suppression techniques, land surveying and timber appraisal procedures. The position also requires knowledge of DNRC and State Personnel policies, procedures, precedents, organizational structures, employment law conflict resolution and program requirements. The position requires skill in the use and operation of tools, equipment and vehicles used in wildlandfire control, forest management activities and field office operations; operation of 4-wheel drive vehicles, ATVs/UTVs and skill in the use of computer hardware and software related to forest management business operations (word processing, spreadsheets, internet, e-mail and smart devices) and specialized resource management software. The position requires the ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing to individuals,groups and representatives from other organizations; the ability to coordinate and direct multiple resources to complete work objectives, work on multiple projects simultaneously; work well with others and maintain a positive working environment. The position often works independently and requires critical thinking skills as they work in remote work conditions and may encounter various hazards throughout a typical workday including wildlife, road conditions, hazardous terrain and encounters with the public in various high-tension settings that may require de-escalation and conflict resolution. Special Requirements: An essential function of the position is the ability to pass an arduous pack test as well as be capable of vigorous physical activity in all types of weather. The position requires working alone in the field, including winter conditions (using tire chains) and navigating with a map and compass. SPECIAL INFORMATION: *Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States. A valid driver's license is required with less than 12 conviction points in the most recent completed 36 months. *ELIGIBILITY TO WORK: In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act, the person selected must produce within three days of hire documents that show authorization to work in the United States. Examples of such documentation include a birth certificate or Social Security card along with a driver’s license or other picture I.D., or a U.S. passport, or a "green card". *Title: *Forester 1- Southwestern / Good Neighbor Authority Forester Location: Missoula Requisition ID: 24142921