What are the responsibilities and job description for the Area Forester position at State of Iowa - Executive Branch?
Job Description
Only applicants who meet the Minimum Qualification Requirements and meet all selective requirements (listed below) will be placed on the eligible list.
The Department of Natural Resources encourages all applicants to upload a current resume and cover letter to their online application.
The Iowa DNR’s Parks, Forests, and Preserves Bureau is seeking a dedicated and passionate Area Forester to join our team at Yellow River State Forest. The ideal candidate will be enthusiastic about natural resource management, committed to maintaining the health and diversity of our Forest, and eager to engage with the public to promote the DNR’s mission. This position offers the unique opportunity to lead long-term conservation efforts, direct operational teams, and foster community connections through education and outreach.
The Area Forester is the key staff person who oversees all aspects of planning and operations to manage and maintain Yellow River State Forest. Yellow River State Forest includes 8,990 acres of forest, streams and prairies. It is in the Driftless Area landform region with steep and hilly topography. It has two cold water streams regularly stocked with trout. It is adjacent to the Upper Mississippi River National Fish and Wildlife Refuge and Effigy Mounds National Monument, and is at the core of a Globally Significant Bird Conservation Area as designated by the Audubon Society. The area is popular with hunters, anglers, hikers, backpackers, bird watchers, horseback riders, mountain bikers and campers.
The Area Forester is responsible for providing professional forest management to ensure the state forest and its related resources are maintained in a healthy, diverse, and sustainable condition. This includes implementing and updating the forest management plan, maintaining associated tables and GIS applications, and developing long-range plans for forest development and stewardship. The forester will lay out, schedule, and oversee the completion of both natural resource and recreation management projects. A key component of this role is leading efforts to protect the forest from insect infestations, disease outbreaks, and other damaging agents.
Administrative duties include managing forest operations by efficiently maintaining accurate records on equipment, materials, and activities, as well as preparing and monitoring budgets and expenditures in accordance with procurement policies. The forester will ensure that required reports are submitted on time, and that records are maintained according to agency procedures. The position also involves responding to public inquiries and providing clear and timely information to the public and supervisors alike.
This position will work under the direction of the District Supervisor, and is responsible for directing Yellow River State Forest personnel and volunteers, developing work schedules, and ensuring that employees are properly trained to perform their duties safely and effectively. This includes adherence to the policies and procedures of the Parks, Forest and Preserves Bureau and the State of Iowa. The forester will also oversee the maintenance of facilities, roads, trails, equipment, and other forest infrastructure.
Public relations responsibilities involve managing outreach and educational programs to raise awareness about the importance of Iowa’s forest resources, the role of forestry programs, and the value of the state forest. These programs may be delivered in classrooms, through direct public engagement, or via print and electronic media.
Essential Functions
Accountability, Integrity, High Productivity, Team Player, Customer Focus, Interpersonal Skills, Communication Skills, Self-Management, Technical Skills (forest management).
Additional Requirements
Ensure you are kept up-to-date on the status of this position by checking your email regularly for emails from info@governmentjobs.com . This is a system generated email from the DAS application system and it may be sent directly to your Junk/Spam folder.
DNR Application Tips
For more information about DNR Employment Opportunities and position specific notices, please visit the DNR Employment website.
The State of Iowa is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.
Iowa DNR Mission
To conserve and enhance our natural resources in cooperation with individuals and organizations to improve the quality of life in Iowa and ensure a legacy for future generations.
Selectives
907 Forestry
12 semester hours, 6 months continuous full-time experience, or a combination of both, in any of the following:
Graduation from an accredited college or university with major coursework in forestry.
For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.
Additional Qualification Requirements
Designated positions in this job class require applicants to obtain a Pesticide Applicators License as issued by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship within a period of time as determined by the appointing authority at the time of hire.
Only applicants who meet the Minimum Qualification Requirements and meet all selective requirements (listed below) will be placed on the eligible list.
The Department of Natural Resources encourages all applicants to upload a current resume and cover letter to their online application.
The Iowa DNR’s Parks, Forests, and Preserves Bureau is seeking a dedicated and passionate Area Forester to join our team at Yellow River State Forest. The ideal candidate will be enthusiastic about natural resource management, committed to maintaining the health and diversity of our Forest, and eager to engage with the public to promote the DNR’s mission. This position offers the unique opportunity to lead long-term conservation efforts, direct operational teams, and foster community connections through education and outreach.
The Area Forester is the key staff person who oversees all aspects of planning and operations to manage and maintain Yellow River State Forest. Yellow River State Forest includes 8,990 acres of forest, streams and prairies. It is in the Driftless Area landform region with steep and hilly topography. It has two cold water streams regularly stocked with trout. It is adjacent to the Upper Mississippi River National Fish and Wildlife Refuge and Effigy Mounds National Monument, and is at the core of a Globally Significant Bird Conservation Area as designated by the Audubon Society. The area is popular with hunters, anglers, hikers, backpackers, bird watchers, horseback riders, mountain bikers and campers.
The Area Forester is responsible for providing professional forest management to ensure the state forest and its related resources are maintained in a healthy, diverse, and sustainable condition. This includes implementing and updating the forest management plan, maintaining associated tables and GIS applications, and developing long-range plans for forest development and stewardship. The forester will lay out, schedule, and oversee the completion of both natural resource and recreation management projects. A key component of this role is leading efforts to protect the forest from insect infestations, disease outbreaks, and other damaging agents.
Administrative duties include managing forest operations by efficiently maintaining accurate records on equipment, materials, and activities, as well as preparing and monitoring budgets and expenditures in accordance with procurement policies. The forester will ensure that required reports are submitted on time, and that records are maintained according to agency procedures. The position also involves responding to public inquiries and providing clear and timely information to the public and supervisors alike.
This position will work under the direction of the District Supervisor, and is responsible for directing Yellow River State Forest personnel and volunteers, developing work schedules, and ensuring that employees are properly trained to perform their duties safely and effectively. This includes adherence to the policies and procedures of the Parks, Forest and Preserves Bureau and the State of Iowa. The forester will also oversee the maintenance of facilities, roads, trails, equipment, and other forest infrastructure.
Public relations responsibilities involve managing outreach and educational programs to raise awareness about the importance of Iowa’s forest resources, the role of forestry programs, and the value of the state forest. These programs may be delivered in classrooms, through direct public engagement, or via print and electronic media.
Essential Functions
- Develops and implements forest management plans for state forest areas to adequately manage assigned state forest.
- Directs the work of other forestry personnel and provides necessary training to ensure adequate job performance.
- Applies forestry principles and practices in the management of state forest lands.
- Creates and maintains forest management demonstration and research areas to increase public awareness of the value and role of forests in Iowa.
- Establishes demonstration areas, hosts field days and seeks partnerships with supporting agencies and groups to promote forestry education and awareness.
- Utilizes forest stand improvement techniques and regeneration systems to enhance tree growth ranges, regenerate mature and declining stands, and improve forest health in the state forest.
- Manages prairie and grassland habitats by using prescribed fire to promote diversity.
Accountability, Integrity, High Productivity, Team Player, Customer Focus, Interpersonal Skills, Communication Skills, Self-Management, Technical Skills (forest management).
Additional Requirements
- Pesticide Applicator License (must obtain within first 12 months of hire)
- Possession of valid Driver's license at time of hire
- CPR/First Aid certification (must obtain within first six months of hire)
- Chainsaw Safety Training Qualification Certification (must obtain within first 12 months of hire)
- S-130/S-190 Firefighter Training Qualification (within first 12 months of hire)
- A competitive pay plan and rewarding work.
- Insurance benefits that start the first of the month following 30 days of employment. (Premiums can start as low as $64/month for single and $210/month for family coverage).
- Separate vacation and sick leave accruals that start on the first day and can roll over annually.
- Nine paid holidays/year.
- Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) retirement package with employer match.
- Optional deferred compensation (457/401A) plan with employer match.
- Professional training opportunities.
- Family friendly and professional work environment.
- Employee Discount Programs (vision, cellular, fitness, recreation, season passes, travel, counseling)
- The State’s total compensation package features benefits that are worth about 30% of your total compensation. For a list of additional benefits, please visit the DAS website for more information.
- Flexible work schedules (as approved by the supervisor).
Ensure you are kept up-to-date on the status of this position by checking your email regularly for emails from info@governmentjobs.com . This is a system generated email from the DAS application system and it may be sent directly to your Junk/Spam folder.
DNR Application Tips
For more information about DNR Employment Opportunities and position specific notices, please visit the DNR Employment website.
The State of Iowa is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.
Iowa DNR Mission
To conserve and enhance our natural resources in cooperation with individuals and organizations to improve the quality of life in Iowa and ensure a legacy for future generations.
Selectives
907 Forestry
12 semester hours, 6 months continuous full-time experience, or a combination of both, in any of the following:
- Dendrology
- S ilviculture
- Forest management, tree planting and habitat management
- Timber stand improvement
- Forest planning
- Planning and mapping using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for forest improvement projects
- Forest inventory including tree identification
- Reforestation and/or forest health data collection and monitoring
Graduation from an accredited college or university with major coursework in forestry.
For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.
Additional Qualification Requirements
Designated positions in this job class require applicants to obtain a Pesticide Applicators License as issued by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship within a period of time as determined by the appointing authority at the time of hire.
Salary : $64 - $210
