Job Specification Details

Forestry and related work at an expert level for the Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation (FPR). This position leads FPR's engagement with experts and stakeholders to advance our understanding and support a coordinated response to climate impacts to forests and forest management to advance adaptation and mitigation strategies. Duties involve forestry work on private and public lands, the application of environmental sciences to analyze, review, prepare, monitor, and implement forestry policies, management plans, and stewardship activities, and the application of technical and scientific data in a variety of department regulatory, non-regulatory, and state and federal programs. They provide outreach and expertise for forest and forestry related inquiries from the public to ensure the health and maintenance of forestland. They conduct research, manage and conserve forest ecosystems, cooperate with user groups, advise on the forest economy, and provide expertise to inform policy and decision making.

Work at this level differs from lower-level forestry professionals in the complexity of projects; degree of independence, responsibility, and accountability; level of expertise and breadth of knowledge required; and leadership in meeting program goals and training, mentoring, and supporting fellow staff. 

Executes and performs work independently and provides leadership in implementing projects, which can include information gathering and writing; providing professional and technical assistance to landowners, municipalities, forest enterprises, the general public, and natural resource professionals; training staff and forestry community on forest carbon and climate change information; supporting development of Vermont-specific descision making tools to advance forest-based climate mitigation and adaptation strategies; providing information and tools to assess the carbon benefits forestland; develop, present, and distribute informational and educational programs and materials; conducts research, supervises collection and analysis of forest health, forest economy data, and other natural resource data, summarizes and disseminates the data; distributes informational programs and educational materials; researches, collects, analyses, enters information into and maintains natural resource databases; and drafts reports. Support leadership in developing policy proposals, department policies, and other policy measures. Works with field-based data collection tools and software. Maintains required certifications. Performs related duties as required. 

Extensive knowledge of forestry or natural resource sciences. 

Extensive knowledge of forest management or natural resource management methods and applications. 

Extensive knowledge of the principles of forest ecology. 

Considerable knowledge of the laws, regulations, rules, policies, and programs of the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, the Agency of Natural Resources, the State of Vermont, and the United States as they relate to forestry and natural resource management. 

Extensive knowledge of forest product markets and processing.  

Extensive knowledge of forest operations and safety.

Extensive knowledge of the procedures of forest fire, insect, and disease control. 

Considerable knowledge of urban and community forestry. 

Thorough knowledge and ability in project management principles.

Skill in the application of planning principles and procedures. 

Ability to use computer technology to produce and interpret natural resources information and apply in program planning. 

Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. 

Ability to work effectively with diverse groups who have specific and sometimes competing areas of interest in environmental issues. 

Ability to train other employees in all aspects of assigned programs.

Master's degree or higher in forestry, natural resources, biological or physical science, engineering, or an environmental field AND two (2) years or more at a professional level in forestry, natural resources, biological or physical science, engineering, or an environmental field.
OR
Bachelor's degree in forestry, natural resources, biological or physical science, engineering, or an environmental field AND four (4) years or more of experience at a professional level in forestry, natural resources, biological or physical science, engineering, or an environmental field.
OR
Associate’s degree in forestry, natural resources, biological or physical science, engineering, or an environmental field AND six (6) years or more of experience at a professional level in forestry, natural resources, biological or physical science, engineering, or an environmental field.
OR
One (1) year or more as Forestry Professional III with the State of Vermont.
 

State of Vermont Forester License will be required within 6 months.