This is a Full-Time 40 Hours Weekly position with the Department of Agriculture & Natural Resources, Resources Conservation and Forestry Division. For more information please visit https://danr.sd.gov.
This position will be working on Good Neighbor Authority projects thorough out the Black Hills of South Dakota. This position will direct and oversee a crew of four individuals conducting activities related to timber sale layout. The position will work on identifying cutting unit boundaries, timber inventory, and marking. The position will need to consider ground based logging feasibility and mitigate resource impacts when performing layout activities. The position will read topographic maps and develop logging plan maps, and document sale layout information.
Duties may also include forest management assistance, coordinate, and administer forestry activities and programs with individual landowners, city or county governments or agencies, and conservation districts; provide technical assistance; write forest stewardship plans; provide educational information to ensure effective conservation practices related to trees, forests, tree insect and disease identification and management, and the protection of the state's resources.
This position will entail outdoor work and the ability to walk for extended distances on rough terrain.
Day travel is frequent and overnight trips will average about 2-3 nights per month. Some air travel may be required to attend meetings or training out-of state.
The successful candidate will be required to obtain a commercial pesticide applicators license from the State of South Dakota, and must have a valid driver's license.
The Ideal Candidate Will Have:
The ideal candidate for this position will have a degree in forestry or an extensive formal education or experience in forestry or a related natural resource profession with forestry emphasis. Experience may be substituted for education if that experience has prepared the candidate to successfully carry out the duties of this position. The candidate must have the ability to speak at public meetings. The successful candidate will be able to explain complex forestry concepts and practices orally and in writing in easy to understand terms. The candidate should be a self-starter and be able work under light general supervision. The candidate should have a working knowledge of geographic information systems such as ArcGIS. The candidate must be able to analyze extensive resource data and draw logical conclusion from that data. The candidate should have good writing skills and the ability to write complex reports on forest management projects.
Knowledge of:
• dendrology, arboriculture;
• biology;
• biometrics and botany;
• forest ecology, mensuration;
• forest entomology and forest pathology;
• geographic information systems (ArcGIS);
• horticulture, hydrology, plant physiology, and silviculture;
• range and timber management;
• state and federal laws regulating the use of pesticides;
• forest fire management, forest insects and diseases, tree biology, forest economics, forest planning;
• project design and management, urban forestry, agroforestry, and forest certification programs.
Skill to:
• use a variety of forestry tools and equipment;
• use forestry tools: clinometer, hypsometer, biltmore stick, measuring wheel, compass, diameter tapes, prisms, increment borers, cruiser axes, data recorders, global positioning systems (GPS);
• use Microsoft Office products: Word, Outlook, Access, Excel, Publisher, PowerPoint.
Ability to:
• speak at public meetings;
• explain complex forestry concepts and practices in easy-to-understand terms;
• be a self-starter and work under general supervision;
• analyze extensive resource data and draw logical conclusion from that data;
• write professional and technical reports on forest health projects that can be understood by both professional and lay persons;
• drive a 4-wheel drive truck and an ATV in a variety of weather conditions;
• conduct literature and technical reference searches;
• conduct soil survey research;
• use and interpret topographic maps;
• use digital graphic software, mapping programs, and GPS information uploading, downloading, and interpretation;
• deal tactfully with others;
• work independently with minimal supervision, or with a group in a team setting;
• use lab techniques for sample and culture preparation.
Additional Requirements: To be considered, attach your responses to the information requested below. Your responses must be clear, concise, and numbered.
1. Employees in this position meet with private individuals, local city governments, federal agencies, the media and others to share or disseminate forestry related information. Describe your experience communicating, establishing working relationships and/or coordinating with various agencies, groups or individuals.
2. Describe your experience in training or educating persons in technical issues. Describe your audience and level of responsibility.
3. Describe your experience in preparing written reports, memos, or correspondence that includes gathering of information, analysis of alternatives, and recommending a course of action. Include your level of responsibility for the final product.
4. Describe your experience in diagnosing tree problems in urban and natural forest environments.
5. Describe your experience in working or coordinating with other agencies to assure compliance or consistency with their regulations. Please describe: a) the specific agencies you have worked or coordinated with, b) the nature of the rules or regulations involved, and c) your role or level of responsibility for the coordination.
VETERANS' PREFERENCE ELIGIBLE
NCRC: If you possess a National Career Readiness Certificate, please submit the certificate with your application. For more information on how to acquire a National Career Readiness Certificate contact a South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation Job Service Office. A certificate is not necessary to be considered.
The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9.
The State of South Dakota offers paid employee health insurance plus ten paid holidays, generous vacation leave accrual, and medical, dental, vision, and other benefits. For more information please visithttps://bhr.sd.gov/job-seekers/work-for-state-government/. This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS..
Must apply online: https://sodakprod-lm01.cloud.infor.com:1443/lmghr/xmlhttp/shorturl.do?key=FCT
You must apply online, emailed resumes or submissions will not be accepted.
South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources
Telephone: 605.773.3148 Email: careers@state.sd.us
http://bhr.sd.gov/workforus
"An Equal Opportunity Employer"