FORESTER

JOB DE SCRIPTION FORESTER WATERWORKS Human Resources Department 700 Town Center Drive, Suite 200 Newport News, VA 23606 NEWPORT NEWS, VA Phone: (757) 926-1800 CITY OF OPPORTUNITY Fax: (757) 926-1825 GENERAL STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES Under general supervision, this position performs natural resources and forestry work on City- owned watershed properties.
May serve as supervisor.
Reports to the Chief of Forest Resources.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS Collects timber stand data by identifying trees and plants; determines tree sizes, growth rates, densities, soil types, forest history and other related data; maintains timber stand data using a Geographic Information System database; conducts and coordinates reforestation and timber stand improvement work.
Prepares and monitors timber sales; identifies the type of harvest needed; marks and creates a global position system map of timber sale boundaries; performs timber cruises to determine timber volume; identifies and marks trees to be harvested.
Writes harvest specifications; inspects harvesting operations.
Develops forest management plans; performs GIS analysis on timber stand data.
Develops silviculture prescriptions for each timber stand; develops schedules for regeneration, site preparation, harvesting, and timber stand improvement work.
Provides recommendations to the Watershed Management Planning Group.
Monitors forest health; manages exotic invasive plants; manages nuisance wildlife species; writes reports and updates records as required.
Conducts watershed and forest management tours and presentations for various civic and school agencies.
Serves as lead worker when providing direction to personnel on specific forestry activities to include reforestation, timber stand improvement work and herbicide application.
Performs other duties as assigned.
PERFORMANCE STANDARD Employees at all levels are expected to effectively work together to meet the needs of the community and the organization through work behaviors demonstrating the City’s Values.
Employees are also expected to lead by example and demonstrate the highest level of ethics.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE • Forestry – Comprehensive knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations related to the management of natural resources to include forest management principles, methods, and techniques as related to maintaining watershed lands.
Page 1 of 3 Revised: 08/01/2015 REQUIRED SKILLS • Critical Thinking – Using logic and reasoning to understand, analyze, and evaluate complex situation and research information to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to the situation.
• Interpersonal Relationships – Develops and maintains cooperative and professional relationships with employees, managers, and representatives from other departments and organizations.
• Computer Skills – Utilizes a personal computer with word processing, spreadsheet, geographic information system database and related software to effectively complete a variety of tasks with reasonable speed and accuracy.
• Time Management - Plans and organizes daily work routine.
Estimates expected time of completion of elements of work and establishes a personal schedule accordingly.
Implements work activities in accordance with priorities and estimated schedules.
REQUIRED ABILITIES • Communication – Ability to listen and understand directions, information and ideas presented verbally and in writing.
Ability to handle a variety of customer service issues with tact and diplomacy in a confidential manner.
• Mathematics – Ability to perform arithmetic, algebraic, and statistical applications for use in developing timber sales data and forest management plans.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE Requires a Bachelor’s Degree from a Society of American Foresters (SAF) accredited program in Forestry, Forest Management, Forest Ecology, or a related Forestry field and 3-5 years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS An acceptable general background check to include a local and state criminal history check; a valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.
Requires satisfactory results from a pre-employment medical and audio evaluation.
Requires a Pesticide and Aquatic Pesticide Applicator’s license and First Aid/CPR/AED certification within 6 months of employment PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS • Tasks require the regular and, at times, sustained performance of moderately physically demanding work.
• Some combination of climbing and balancing to include climbing ladders, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling.
• May involve the lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling of moderately heavy objects and materials (20-50 pounds).
Page 2 of 3 Revised: 08/01/2015 SENSORY REQUIREMENT • Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shades of color, sounds, depth, textures, and visual cues or signals.
• Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURES Performance of essential functions may require exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as dirt, dust, pollen, fumes, smoke, temperature, weather and noise extremes, hazardous materials, fire, machinery, vibrations, traffic hazards, bright/dim lights, or animal/wildlife attacks.
Page 3 of 3 Revised: 08/01/2015