District Forester-Staunton River District

Title: District Forester-Staunton River District

State Role Title: Natural Resource Manager II

Hiring Range: $70,000.00+ DOE

Pay Band: 5

Agency: Department of Forestry

Location: Central Office Campbell

Agency Website: www.dof.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Department of Forestry is seeking to hire a District Forester for our Staunton River District in the Central Region, which encompasses Campbell, Halifax, and Pittsylvania Counties including the Cities of Lynchburg and Danville. This position reports to the Deputy Regional Forester and leads staff in a multi-county district to accomplish the DOF's mission and strategic goals.

The District Forester leads and supervises a staff of foresters and technicians in the Staunton River District and provides direction, oversight, and work planning in program delivery for the following areas: forest management, fire suppression, forestland conservation, urban & community forestry, watershed management, conservation education, forest health, and enforcement of water quality and fire laws. The position represents the agency in local forestry related issues, mentors and trains staff members, evaluates and provides feedback to staff on an on-going basis, develops annual work profiles and performance evaluations for assigned employees, and manages assigned staff to efficiently and effectively deliver agency services. The District Forester is also responsible for ensuring maintenance needs are met for any agency facilities located in their assigned district, which includes soliciting private vendors to perform needed repairs, manage office cleaning and yard maintenance contracts, and working with regional staff on the procurement of services related to facility maintenance needs. The position will be responsible for providing incident leadership, support, and occasional direct suppression as it relates to wildland fire response.

Location: This position is part of the Staunton River District, covering Campbell, Halifax, and Pittsylvania Counties including the Cities of Lynchburg and Danville.

Within 6 months of hire, the chosen candidate must reside in either Campbell, Halifax, or Pittsylvania Counties or the Cities of Lynchburg or Danville.

This position is classified as having a home-based duty location. A take home state-owned vehicle, laptop, smartphone, and mobile printer will be provided.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of effective supervisory techniques and practices; knowledge of Virginia's forestry laws, regulations and best management practices; demonstrated knowledge of sliviculture and forest ecology; experience managing and suppressing wildland fires; experience in technical and professional forestry work; formal training or equivalent experience in forest management, watershed management, natural resource conservation, forest health, or urban and community forestry.
Must have the ability to work independently, have excellent organizational skills, and have the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with state and federal agencies, local planners, cooperators, and the public. Must have demonstrated excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills, and have the ability to use a PC and Microsoft Office software. Candidates must have the ability to negotiate different types of forested and rugged terrain on foot in all types of weather, the ability to climb on and off equipment, and the ability to work in smoky environments.

Additional Considerations

Leadership training or experience.
Experience working for a state forestry agency.

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 Commerical Pesticide Applicator's License within 6 months of employment. Must be able to obtain Commercial Driver’s 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 b