Staff Forester I / Woodland Ecologist I - FIA

Job Title

Staff Forester I / Woodland Ecologist I - FIA

Agency

Texas A&M Forest Service

Department

Forest Inventory Analysis

Proposed Minimum Salary

$4,500.00 monthly

Job Location

Fredericksburg, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

The Staff Forester I /Woodland Ecologist I - FIA (Forest Inventory Analysis) will serve as forest survey crew leader and be responsible for the survey program in the assigned region. They will investigate land ownership in the tax office, contact landowners, locate field plots, collect and transmit FIA data and meet production goals. They will also assist with local and statewide emergency incident response. They will report to a local FIA leader.

Responsibilities:
-Serve as forest survey crew leading and be responsible for the survey program in the assigned region. Investigate land ownership in the tax office, contact landowners, locate field plots, collect and transmit forest survey data and meet production goals. Occasional duties will include performing related duties when required and the employee is encouraged to be involved with community and professional activities not specifically related to the agency.

1) Maintain QA average <95% 

2) Meet monthly production goals

3) Effectively supervise technical field staff 

4) Effectively acquire access to plot locations 

5) Assist with hiring of technical field staff 

6) Assist with training of new FIA employees 

7) Assist with regional special studies.

8) Assist with delivery of other agency programs as available (Management Plans, Conservation Education programs, Fire Prevention/Suppression, Wildland Urban Interface, etc.).

- Acquire USFS FIA 'Certified Cruiser' certification within six months of employment.

- Involvement in local natural resource organization and professional societies. (SAF, TFA, FLA..) and agency committees.

- Assist with local and statewide incident response operations and other Field Operations and Planning & Preparedness programs. Maintain FFT2 NWCG Certification. Employees responding to wildfire incidents are required to meet a moderate physical fitness standard by passing the Work Capacity Test each year. This involves walking two (2) miles, wearing a 25lb pack in 30 minutes or less.

Working Conditions: This a full-time permanent position that is mainly outdoor field work. Job requires exposure to harsh environmental conditions such as wind, sunlight, rain & temperature extremes and can require working long hours, with minimal rest in severe conditions. It also requires walking long distances, standing for extended periods, twisting, bending, reaching and kneeling, lifting and carrying heavy objects. As well as using extended personal, telephone, or electronic communications and driving motor vehicles for long distances.

-Other duties as assigned.

Benefits: Texas A&M University System strives to support the health and wellness needs of our diverse workforce. Texas A&M Forest Service offers a competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance, retirement benefits, paid time off and health and lifestyle programs as well as educational incentives and tuition reimbursement opportunities. Some additional benefits include the ability to accrue compensatory time off, overtime on emergency response, uniform allowance, professional development opportunities, position-specific training at not cost and a physical fitness incentive of $500 for passing the arduous test (walk three miles wearing a 45-pound pack in 45 minutes or less) each year.

Education and Experience:

Required Education: Bachelors degree in Forestry with emphasis in Forest Management or closely related course of study in a natural resource field (range science, natural resource management) from a SAF Accredited Forestry Degree program.

Preferred Education: Masters in Natural Resource field (Forestry, Range Science, Natural Resource Management).
Required Experience: None

Preferred Experience: Experience in field of natural resources, production or working as part of a team.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Preferred knowledge: Strong dendrology and vegetation inventory knowledge preferred. Full understanding of cooperation with federal agencies

Required Skills: Organization, communication and documentation skills.
Required Abi