Forester/Entry level Forester

Reports to: District Forester

SUMMARY

This position will provide forestry expertise to Municipal and County planning staff to maintain their public forests and street trees in a manner consistent with New Jersey State Guidelines. The Forester will also ensure that sustainable forestry and stewardship initiatives are being implemented on private lands by woodland owners, their subcontractors, or both, under the forester’s guidance.

This position will be responsible for the inventory, measurements and prescriptions necessary to assist with the preparation of professional reports required for urban forestry per NJ Urban and Community Forestry Program, as well as private lands management per New Jersey Farmland Assessment regulations and NJ Forest Service Forest Stewardship Programs.  The forester may also inspect forest areas as needed in performing non-regulatory functions within the district at the request of district management.

Responsibilities:

The position provides technical forestry expertise to public forest landowners through the preparation and implementation of scientific Community Forestry Management Plans, (CFMP), implements a variety of tree planting programs which may include street tree plantings, park reforestation and stream buffer tree plantings, and implements urban forestry program activities, and will be able to assist with community heat island assessments and mitigation programs.  Additionally, provides technical forestry expertise to private woodland owners seeking woodland management plans for tax savings through NJ’s Farmland Assessment and Forest Stewardship programs.  Coordinating with federal and state government agencies for grant assistance and cost share for management activities and plan generation is expected.

Primary duties include the implementation and coordination of forestry-related activities and programs within Cape May, Atlantic Counties, Camden, and other counties throughout New Jersey, but primarily in the southern New Jersey region, on public (Municipal and County) land and private lands.

Other responsibilities include the following, although other duties may be assigned:

Program coordination with USDA – Natural Resources jobshiringnearme.org Service personnel for conservation practice implementation and cost share of management activities where applicable is necessary.

Participate in soil conservation district education and outreach programs including NJ Envirothon and NJ Pinelands Short Course, as well as other programs that may be scheduled specifically by the forestry department.

As needed, act as soil conservation district representative, answer phones, and/or point of contact for the district to the public, either in the office or in the field.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. (Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions).

Education and/or experience:

A Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry, Natural Resources or other related field. Society of American Foresters accredited degree program strongly preferred. A concentration in Forestry is desirable; or 0-2 years of related work experience and/or training in some aspect of natural resource management, forestry, or environmental studies may be applied; or, equivalent combination of education and experience. NJ Licensed Tree Expert or the ability to obtain a NJ LTE certification; trainee will be expected to become an approved forester as per requirements of NJ Forest Service within two years of hire or pursuant to other requirements by NJ Forest Service.  Able to achieve certification for NJ Certified Commercial Pesticide Applicator

Preferred Skills:

• Understanding and implementation of forest inventory concepts, tree/shrub/plant identification, urban forestry concepts (like street tree inventories), afforestration, tree planting plans, urban tree planting and pruning methods. The ability to differentiate tree and shrubs by species.  Applicable knowledge of silviculture and forest ecology.
• Understanding and able to use GIS (ArcGIS Pro and QGIS)  software and GPS units to produce maps, navigate woodland properties and produce base maps for forest inventory data point collection.
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret common scientific and technical texts, environmental engineering drawings and reports and legal documents including deeds, tax records and plats.  Basic knowledge of surveying as needed for map making.
• Ability to respond to common inquires from concerned citizens, regulatory agencies, etc.
• Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or board of supervisors.
• Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions to practical situations.
• Computer system operational knowledge including MS Office programs

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• A valid New Jersey driver’s license and acceptable driving record is required.

Physical Demands:

• The physical demands here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. (Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions).
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk, talk or hear.
• The employee is regularly required to stand for extended periods.
• The employee is occasionally required to use hands.
• The employee is occasionally required to sit, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those, the employee will encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. (Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions).
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions in all types of weather including cold, rain, heat and humidity.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• Work environment can vary from urban/suburban environment to rural natural areas, at times wild and remote.  Forest conditions can include fording streams, working in thick understory with thorny plants, standing water, wetland areas with muddy soils and will include exposure to insects, spiders, ticks and other nuisance pests.

Job Type: Full-time

Salary Range: commensurate with experience/education level

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 7 hour shift
• Monday to Friday
• Occasional evening and weekend work, as needed

Work Location: In person