Community Forester-Rappahannock District

Title: Community Forester-Rappahannock District

State Role Title:Natural Resource Specialist III

Hiring Range:$51227.00-$69552.00

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Department of Forestry

Location:Central Office Fairfax

Agency Website:

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) is seeking to hire a Community Forester for our Rappahannock District in the Central Region. This position will focus mainly on supporting urban & community forestry projects and programs in Northern Virginia. DOF community foresters provide professional assistance direction and outreach to private citizens local governments cooperating agencies and non-government organizations regarding the DOFs urban and community forestry (U&CF) program. The U&CF program includes but is not limited to technical assistance education and outreach to expand maintain and enhance urban and community addition to U&CF duties the Community Forester will also support departmental rural forest operations including forest management planning conservation water quality protection and wildfire protection.

The Community Forester position reports to the District Forester and implements the agencys forest management program at the local level.

Duties include but are not limited to:
Fostering activities that promote the importance of trees and forests to an urban audience
Providing professional forest management advice to forest landowners in both urban and rural settings through technical assistance and forest management plan development
Developing and utilizing partnerships with local governments nongovernmental organizations partner agencies and other community groups to deliver forestry education and conservation information
Promoting and administering state and federal cost-share programs to support forest management projects
Assessing and addressing forest health concerns
Representing DOF at events including presentations meetings and media events
Promoting green infrastructure planning and supporting DOF Riparian Buffer work
Preventing and suppressing wildland fires including enforcing Virginias fire laws
Inspecting logging jobs for compliance with Virginias Silvicultural Water Quality Law

Location: This Community Forester will be focused on providing services in Fairfax and Arlington County as well as the city of Alexandria. This position is part of the Rappahannock District which includes the counties of Arlington Culpeper Fairfax Fauquier Greene Loudoun Madison Orange Prince William Rappahannock Spotsylvania and Stafford and the cities of Manassas Manassas Park Fredericksburg Alexandria Fairfax and Falls Church.

Within 6 months of hire the chosen candidate must reside in Northern Virginia (approval by the Regional Forester).

This position is classified as having a home-based duty location however there are designated DOF offices located in Fairfax and Warrenton that can be used as needed. A take home state-owned vehicle laptop smartphone and mobile printer will be provided.

Salary reflects the 12% cost-of-living adjustment applicable to Northern Virginia.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience in technical and professional forestry work arboricultural or horticulture; demonstrated knowledge of tree identification silviculture forest measurements wildfire suppression prescribed burning watershed protection and forest health; experience planting trees and riparian buffers; experience or training in developing forest management plans including planting site preparation invasive species control; knowledge and experience developing and leading educational programs for youth and adults; ability to work independently; excellent organizational skills; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with personnel from various state and federal agencies local planners cooperators and the public; public speaking skills and experience; demonstrated excellent written oral and interpersonal communication skills; valid drivers 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.

Additional Considerations

Experience in technical or professional urban based natural resource management work; experience using Geographic Information Systems GPS units and digital mapping tools; ISA certified arborist

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to Your Application in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Must be able to obtain a Virginia Commercial Pesticide Applicators License within 6 months of employment. Must be able to obtain Commercial Drivers License within 12 months of employment. As a responder for wildfires must be willing and able to be on call during Spring and Fall fire seasons. Must pass moderate physical fitness test per Federal guidelines. The test consists of walking 2 miles in 30 minutes carrying a 25-pound pack. Selected candidate is required to be drug tested and pass a criminal background check.

The Virginia Department of Forestry is an Emergency Response agency as such all employees may be required to provide support during emergency situations; this may include nights weekends or holidays as the need arises.

Contact Information

Name: Kristina Estep

Phone:

Email:

In support of the Commonwealths commitment to inclusion we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS) or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation if applicable to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at .

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1 2022- February 29 2024 can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.