Job Title Forester

Agency Texas A&M Forest Service

Department Region 4

Proposed Minimum Salary $4,500.00 monthly

Job Location Conroe, Texas

Job Type Staff

Job Description

The Forester position provides administrative leadership to the district, promotes and executes the various agency programs within the district, provides local leadership in the areas of emergency management, forest pest management, landowner assistance, and related programs and promotes and demonstrates the concept of team work in the district, region and state. The Forester represents the State of Texas and the Texas A&M Forest Service as a professional public servant in their attitude, actions and leadership. This position will cover the Conroe and Cleveland offices.

Responsibilities:

-Equipping NIPF landowners to make informed decisions regarding forest land management. Includes local administration of rural forestry programs, local leadership pertaining to natural resource issues, community forestry and direct landowner assistance. May require exposure to harsh environmental conditions such as wind, sunlight, rain and temperature extremes.

-Delivery of agency public affairs programs, including: conservation education activities and participation in local economic development organizations.

-Supervision of assigned staff and management of all local agency service programs. Includes oversight of employee activities (Conroe & Cleveland offices), personnel evaluations, training, facilities, grounds, equipment, reporting, etc. Also includes management of district budget.

-Oversight and management of the 1,700 acre William Goodrich Jones State Forest.

-Administration and support of local protection and emergency response programs - forest pest mitigation, wildland fire suppression, all-hazard response, capacity building, etc. Will be required to meet minimum physical fitness standard as established by the NWCG and obtain NWCG certification as determined by agency Leadership. May include working long hours in harsh environmental conditions such as wind, sunlight, rain and temperature extremes.

-Attend professional development training and meetings.

-Must live within 30 minutes of the work station.

-Employee must manage/account for assigned credit cards in accordance with state law and agency policies.

-Working Conditions: This is a field related job. Much of the work is done in remote forested locations under various geographic and climatic conditions. May require working long hours with minimal rest and in primitive conditions and can be strenuous or dirty and can be highly hazardous due to conditions: such as fire, adverse weather, extreme temperatures, noise, chemicals, vibrations and allergenic/irritants. Work is often outdoors in a harsh environment such as smoke, rough terrain, dusty roads, etc. May require operating heavy equipment with related exposure to equipment vibrations and noise. Persons serving in emergency response operations must meet a physical fitness standard, which includes successfully completing a two-mile walk in 30 minutes or less with 25 pounds. Emergency response may result in exposure to emotionally stressful situations for extended periods of time. Work may include out-of-town travel and overtime hours. Employee must carry pager and/or cell phone device to facilitate 24/7 communications. Employee will be required to respond to dispatcher within 30 minutes of receiving an emergency call, notification or alert.

-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 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: Bachelor of Science or higher in Forestry from an SAF accredited school of forestry.

Required Experience: none

Preferred Experience: Conservation and environment education programming, working with landowners, program implementation and planning

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Required Knowledge: Word processing and spreadsheet applications (Word, Excel).

Preferred Knowledge: GIS/GP Required Ability: Multi-task and work cooperatively with others.

Required Skills: Good oral and written communication skills.

Licenses, Certifications and Registrations:

Required: Valid Texas Class C. Texas Class A CDL required within 180 days or hire .

Preferred: SAF Certified Forester. ISA Certified Arborist. TFA Accredited Forester. Non-commercial pesticide applicators license.

Applicant Instructions:

Resume, cover letter and transcript(s) are REQUIRED to be uploaded to application. References are required to be entered in the secondary questionnaire section of the application. Certifications are preferred to be uploaded to the application. Documents/certifications can be uploaded in the "My Experience" page in the "Resume/CV section. More than one document can be uploaded; just click the "Upload" button for each document. Documents can only be loaded at this time and cannot be uploaded once the application is submitted. If there are any issues uploading documents, please contact 979-458-6690. Please check your spam folder in case more information is sent in regards to this position.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.