State of Connecticut Executive Branch

When used as a working lead, the incumbent reports to a supervisory level class and is assigned full-time lead responsibilities over employees in a unit while performing unit work activities. Assigned lead responsibilities may include the supervisory type activities outlined below in the first paragraph under Examples of Duties.

A working lead level is assigned lead responsibility for a unit with a minimum of two (2) other employees. For supervisory type duties performed by a working lead, the final/"sign-off" authority is vested in the supervisory level employee to whom the lead employee reports.

When used as an advanced level, the incumbent independently performs professional project and/or program management tasks above the full working level with limited review from supervising staff. The incumbent is responsible for overseeing and coordinating an entire project or program with statewide or regional impact or, in a district, where program or project size and complexity warrants. The nature of the work assigned is critical and sensitive, requiring direct contact with state, federal, municipal and/or industrial officials, boards, and consultants. Decisions are based on many variables and directly impact the outcome of the program or project.

• Provides forest resource management activities on assigned areas of state-owned lands; 
• Leads the work of foresters and other forest workers including review of completed land management and cutting plans; 
• Writes and implements land management and cutting plans; 
• Provides professional services to private land owners, primary processors of forest products and towns regarding most effective use of forest land and products; 
• Promotes use of lands with consideration to conservation and urban forest resource management principles; 
• Writes and reviews reports, environmental impact statements, correspondence, bids and contract specifications as required; 
• Maintains records; 
• Develops and implements forest management and related programs; 
• Coordinates or directs fire fighting, protection and control activities when required; 
• Coordinates and may oversee the work of logging and construction contractors; 
• Speaks before interested groups and may plan and conduct workshops, programs, informational meetings or tours; 
• May be assigned to direct and coordinate special projects related to forestry; 
• May develop educational and informational materials for public or private groups; 
• Performs related duties as required.

When used as a working lead: 

• As assigned by a supervisor: may distribute, prioritize, oversee and review office unit work; 
• May provide staff training and assistance; 
• May conduct or assist in conducting performance evaluations; 
• May act as liaison with operating units, agencies, consultant staffs and other outside officials regarding unit office policies and standards; 
• Performs related duties as required.

• Considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of silviculture and forest resource management, silvics, forest mensuration, aerial photogrammetry, forest products marketing and utilization, forest surveys and type-mapping, forest recreation, forest diseases and insects; 
• Knowledge of
  • laws and regulations pertaining to forest lands, arboriculture, and related resources; 
  • forest land tax classification laws; 
• Skills
  • interpersonal skills; 
  • oral and written communication skills; 
• Considerable ability to keep records and make reports; 
• Ability to
  • develop short and long range forest management plans and programs; 
  • review and evaluate forest management plans; 
  • coordinate and oversee forest fire prevention and control; 
  • utilize computer software; 
  • lead.

Seven (7) years of experience performing technical analysis in forest management.

NOTE: Forest management is defined as professional level forestry work requiring a knowledge of such scientific fields as dendrology, silvics and silviculture, engineering, forest economics, forest influences, and forest pathology and entomology and the application of their principles to the production of goods and services.

• College training in forestry, forest management as defined or arboriculture may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
• A Master's degree in forestry or forest management as defined may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

• Incumbents in this class must be willing to accept assignment or transfer to any area of the state.
• Incumbents in this class may be required by the appointing authority to possess and retain appropriate current licenses, permits and/or certification including a standard first aid certificate. Incumbents may be required to perform emergency first aid as needed.
• Incumbents in this class must obtain a Commercial Supervisory Certificate for the application of pesticides issued by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection within one (1) year of appointment.
• Incumbents in this class will be required by the appointing authority to possess and retain certification as a Forester in accordance with Section 23-65h of the Connecticut General Statutes.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.

• Incumbents in this class must have and maintain adequate physical strength, stamina, physical agility, and visual and auditory acuity, and must maintain such physical fitness as to be able to perform the duties.
• A physical examination may be required.

• The classification of Environmental Protection Forester 2 is assigned to Salary Group FS 25a.
• Employees shall proceed through that salary group and then shall proceed to the maximum salary of Salary Group FS 26.
• The Job Code is identified as Salary Plan FE in CORE-CT.