Forester 1 / Trainee 1 / 2 - NY HELPS

Description

Duties Description

As a member of the Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) coordination team, assist in developing and implementing statewide programing and initiatives to encourage use of urban forestry practices and development of urban forestry programs at the local and state level. Provide technical expertise to communities, working closely with regional staff as needed, and help manage UCF Grant programs including the Community Reforestation Grant program as a part of the Governor’s 25 Million Tree Initiative.

Duties include but are not limited to areas of DEC’s urban and community forestry programs such as:

• Assisting in the development and implementation of statewide urban forestry programs such as storm resilience, reforestation of natural areas, workforce development, and urban wood utilization.
• Assisting in the development, review and program execution and tracking of Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) grants, including the Community Reforestation grant program as a part of the Governor’s 25 Million Tree Initiative.
• Providing technical assistance to municipalities, best management practices in tree planting and care, and other community forestry issues.
• Working with and support awardees of DEC UCF grants as well as awardees of federal and other state grants involving tree planting, green infrastructure, green jobs education and training, and urban forestry planning and management.
• Collecting, managing and analyzing tree planting, tree inventory, tree canopy, grant and other urban geospatial data.
• Using urban forestry tools and applications to help inform local, regional and statewide planning and analysis.
• Manage data (GIS, spreadsheets, digital forms) and databases as necessary.
• Administering Tree City USA and other Arbor Day Foundation programs.
• Assisting in the development of technical and educational materials.
• Representing UCF on internal and external workgroups, meetings with other agencies, municipalities, non-profit organizations, and other entities involved in programs that overlap with urban and community forestry program goals.
• Helping to guide DEC UCF programming in Regions 4 and 5, including working with volunteers, facilitating planning and workshops, and outreach activities.
• Prepare technical reports for the Urban Forestry program, UCF Technical Coordinator, executive and the public on community forestry matters.
  
  

Preferred candidates will have a desire to work cooperatively with others, excellent written and oral communication skills, and experience working with municipal staff, elected officials and volunteers, and not-for-profit partners.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS).

For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, this title may be filled via a non-competitive appointment, which means no examination is required but all candidates must meet the minimum qualifications of the title for which they apply.

To be eligible for appointment under NY HELPS, candidates must meet the minimum qualifications below:

Minimum Qualifications

Forester Trainee 1: A bachelor's or higher degree in ecological forest management, forest biology, forest ecosystem science, forest health, forest resource management, forestry, Natural Resources Planning, Natural Resources Management, Natural Resources Conservation, or urban forestry.

OR

A bachelor's or higher degree including or supplemented by 24 credits in any of the following; dendrology, entomology, environmental planning (as part of a forestry program), environmental policy (as part of a forestry program), environmental resource management (as part of a forestry program), forest ecology, forest ecosystem, forest entomology, forest inventories, forest pathology, forest management, forest measurement/inventory, forest recreation, forest recreation management, geographic information system (GIS), natural resources planning, natural resources policy, pathology, plant entomology, plant pathology, silviculture, soils, surveying, or wilderness management.

Forester Trainee 2: You must also have as qualifying bachelors degree as noted above and either 1: One year of professional experience in forestry; OR 2: A master's or higher degree in ecological forest management, forest biology, forest ecosystem science, forest health, forest resource management, forestry, Natural Resources Planning, Natural Resources Management, Natural Resources Conservation, or urban forestry.

Forester 1: You must also have as qualifying bachelors degree as noted above and either 1: Two years of professional experience in forestry; OR 2: A master's or higher degree in ecological forest management, forest biology, forest ecosystem science, forest health, forest resource management, forestry, Natural Resources Planning, Natural Resources Management, Natural Resources Conservation, or urban forestry AND One year of professional experience in forestry.

Candidates May Also Be Appointed Via The Following

Reassignment - Currently in the title and an employee of DEC

or

Reinstatement - Previously held the title on a permanent competitive basis or held a title as indicated under the transfer eligible section on a permanent competitive basis.

or

Transfer - Eligible for transfer under Section 70.1: One year of permanent competitive service as an Environmental Program Specialist 1 (Natural Resources), Forestry Technician 2, or Forestry Technician 3.

55-b/55-c Appointment- Must meet minimum qualifications above and include a copy of the letter from Civil Service which indicates approval for the 55-b/55-c program.

Additional Comments

Must have a valid driver’s license or demonstrate the ability to meet the transportation needs of the position.

Telecommuting may be available, will be discussed at interview.

We offer a work-life balance and a generous benefits package, worth 65% of salary, including:

• Holiday & Paid Time Off
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Pension from New York State Employees’ Retirement System
• Shift & Geographic pay differentials
• Affordable Health Care options
• Family dental and vision benefits at no additional cost
• NYS Deferred Compensation plan
• Access to NY 529 and NY ABLE College Savings Programs, and U.S. Savings Bonds
• And many more...
  
  

For new State employees appointed to graded positions, the annual salary is the hiring rate (beginning of the Salary Range) of the position. Promotion salaries are calculated by the NYS Office of the State Comptroller in accordance with NYS Civil Service Law, OSC Payroll rules and regulations and negotiated union contracts.

The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is committed to fostering a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Our work would not be possible without the diverse backgrounds, experiences, ideas, and abilities of our employees. DEC is committed to developing a workforce which represents the diverse population of New York State. DEC embraces a diverse and inclusive work environment by encouraging all individuals, including those with disabilities, to apply to open positions at the agency.