What are the responsibilities and job description for the Staff Forester I - Silviculture/FIA position at Texas A&M AgriLife?
Job Title
Staff Forester I - Silviculture/FIA
Agency
Texas A&M Forest Service
Department
Forest Analytics Department
Proposed Minimum Salary
$4,500.00 monthly
Job Location
Lufkin, Texas
Job Type
Staff
Job Description
Texas A&M Forest Service is seeking a highly motivated, detail-oriented team member who has a passion for service and is excited about engaging in the natural resource field. This individual will be a part of an integral team that works to deliver technical assistance to support the agency mission of assuring the state's trees, forest and related natural resources are protected and sustained.
The Staff Forester will be responsible for supporting, delivering and/or leading efforts under the Silviculture Program and serve as a forest survey crew member and assist the survey program and FIA(Forest Inventory Analysis) Program. This s a full-time temporary position expected to last for a term of 5 years with an extension contingent on available funding.
Responsibilities:
Silviculture - Primary responsibility is to serve as the Ambassador for cost share programs administered under the Silvicultural Program and provide administrative and technical assistance to all program participants and service providers.
- Work with internal and external teams and partnerships to develop and deliver, coordinate, promote, execute and evaluate the agency's Silvicultural programs throughout the state.
- Help develop new or improve existing silvicultural decision-support tools and demonstrations.
- Assist district offices with their silvicultural demonstrations, education and outreach efforts and expand the dissemination and evaluation of these efforts through the use of technology and appropriate messaging.
FIA - Investigate land ownership in the tax office, contact landowners, locate field plots, collect and transmit forest survey data and meet production goals.
- Acquire USFS FIA "Certified Cruiser" certification
- Maintain QA average of ?95% and meet production goals.
- Effectively acquire access to plot locations.
- Assist with regional special studies (Urban FIA, Felled Tree Study, etc.)
- Assist with local and statewide incident response and other Fire & Emergency Response and Field Operation program duties. Maintain NWCG Certification. Must be able to meet and annually maintain a physical fitness standard which includes successfully completing a two (2) mile walk in 30 minutes or less with a 25lb. pack and obtaining NWCG training and Red Card certification.
- Perform related duties when required and is encouraged to be involved with local community and professional activities not specifically related to the agency.
- Other duties as assigned.
Work Conditions: Outdoor fieldwork. Job requires exposure to harsh environmental conditions such as wind, sunlight, rain and temperature extremes. It requires walking long distances, standing for extended periods, twisting, bending, reaching, kneeling, lifting and carrying heavy objects. Must be able to work overtime with some overnight travel.
Opportunities:
- Grow professionally by attending conferences and taking advantage of learning resources.
- Pursue higher education through an employer sponsored tuition reimbursement plan.
- Make meaningful contributions as an integral part of a cohesive team.
- Develop leadership skills and experience.
- Move up quickly with established career ladder for position and corresponding substantial pay increases.
- Work on a wide variety of projects, with the ability to provide input on all phases of development.
- Interact and collaborate with professionals across a broad array of forestry-related disciplines including urban and community forestry, forest inventory and analysis, forest health, forest management and wildland fire.
- Contribute to the sustainability of natural resources in Texas and beyond.
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. 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's degree or higher in Forestry from a SAF-accredited college/university or closely related field.
Preferred Education: Master's degree in Forestry from a SAF-accredited college/university or closely related field.
Required Experience: Demonstrate a strong background in southern silviculture.
Preferred Experience: Experience managing large natural resource assistance projects. Experience in spatial sciences.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Required Knowledge: Proficiency in MS Office
Preferred Knowledge: Strong dendrology and vegetation inventory knowledge. Full understanding of cooperation with federal agencies.
Required Skills: Excellent communication skills (written and verbal). Organization and documentation skills. Strong project management skills. Strong analytical skills.
Required Abilities: Ability to perform field inventory procedures. Strong problem solver. Ability to work both independently and with a team. Perform field work for extended periods of time. Multi-task and work cooperatively with others.
Registrations, Certifications, and Licenses:
Required: Texas Driver's license or ability to attain one within 30 days of hire.
Preferred: Pesticide Applicator's License. USFS Certified Cruiser. Professional Certification/Accreditation (SAF Certification/TFA Accredited Forester)
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/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer.
Salary : $4,500
