Introduction
REPOST
Previous applicants do not need to reapply
Long Term Contractual Forester I – Lower Eastern Shore Project
GRADE
13
LOCATION OF POSITION
Forest Service Lower Shore Project Office: 10990 Market Lane, Princess Anne, MD 21849 (Somerset County)
Main Purpose of Job
Job functions include forest stewardship plan preparation, data collection, reforestation plans,
aerial herbicide application planning, forest fire protection, GIS mapping, riparian buffer
establishment, invasive species monitoring and control, Forestry Board interaction, BMP
monitoring and urban forestry assistance. This position will provide forestry expertise to County
planning staff to maintain forests under development pressure and identify areas in need of
reforestation and assure that sustainable forestry initiatives are being implemented on private
land.
This position is responsible for delivering all Forest Service programs within a three county
Project area on the Eastern Shore (Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester Counties), with a
primary focus on delivering services to private landowners in Somerset County. Programs
include Forest Stewardship, Fire and Resource Protection, Watershed Management, and Urban
and Community Forestry. Position provides technical forestry expertise to forest landowners
through the preparation and implementation of scientific forest stewardship plans, implements a
variety of tree planting programs including reforestation and stream buffer tree plantings,
responds to wildfires, and implements urban forestry program activities. Position also ensures
state sediment and erosion control best management practices are being carried out correctly on
forest harvest operations, provides local forestry expertise to partner agencies and conservation
organizations, and serves as primary liaison to the Somerset County Forest Conservancy District
Board. These forestry activities directly support the Departmental goal of conserving the natural
resources of Maryland and protecting the Chesapeake Bay.
POSITION DUTIES
The Department of Natural Resources, Forest Service Eastern Region is accepting applications for a Forester. This position is responsible for the operations and administration of all forestry programs in Somerset County and may assist with operations in Wicomico and Worcester County.
Primary duties include the implementation and coordination of forestry-related activities and programs within Somerset County on private land.
Job duties also include forest stewardship plan preparation, forest inventory, forestation, forest resource protection, forest fire suppression, prescribe fire, BMP implementation, information and education, and urban and community forestry. These forestry activities directly support the Departmental goal of conserving the natural resources of Maryland and protecting the Chesapeake Bay.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education: A Bachelor of Science degree in forestry from a school of forestry accredited by the Society of American Foresters.
Experience: None.
Notes:
1. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Master of Science degree approved by the State Board of Foresters for the required Bachelor’s degree.
2. The education requirement is pursuant to Business Occupations and Professions Article, Sections 7-206 and 7-304 of the Annotated Code of Maryland.
3. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in the natural resources management and biological sciences classifications or natural resources management and biological sciences specialty codes in the forestry field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required education.
DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience with forestry data collection and forest management plan preparation
- Experience using Geographic Information Systems (GIS), specifically ArcGIS software
- Experience with reforestation or afforestation projects
- Experience with wildland fire suppression and prescribed burning
- Experience with operating different types of equipment and machinery. (Power tools such as chainsaw, pole saw, leaf blower & large machinery such as skid steers, tractors, bulldozers, and/or heavy trucks)
- Experience using Microsoft Office programs, specifically Word and Excel
LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS
Employees appointed to this position will be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned as such will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Employees in this classification are subject to call-in and, therefore, are required to submit a telephone number where they can be reached in case of forest fire emergencies.
SELECTION PROCESS
Please make sure you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your minimum qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. We will not consider information submitted after this date. Successful candidates may be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the employment (eligible) list for at least one year.
For education obtained outside the U.S., a copy of the equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service must be provided prior to hire.
BENEFITS
Contractual employees who work for an agency covered under the State Employee and Retiree Health and Welfare Benefits Program, have a current employment contract and work 30 or more hours a week (or on average 130 hours per month) may be eligible for subsidized health benefits coverage for themselves and their dependents. As a contractual employee, you will be responsible for paying 25% of the premiums for your medical and prescription coverage, including any eligible dependents you have enrolled. The State of Maryland will subsidize the remaining 75% of the cost for these benefits. You can also elect to enroll in dental coverage, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, and life insurance, but will be responsible to pay the full premium for these benefits.
Leave may be granted to a contractual employee who has worked 120 days in a 12 month period. This leave accrues at a rate of one hour for every 30 hours worked, not to exceed 40 hours per calendar year.
*Should benefits be available, this information will be discussed at the time of hire
FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS
The online application is strongly preferred. If you are unable to apply online, you may submit a paper application and supplemental questionnaire to: Department of Natural Resources, Human Resources, 580 Taylor Avenue, C-3 Annapolis, MD 21401. The Human Resources unit is not responsible for applications sent to any other address.
Faxed or e-mailed applications will not be accepted. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing the application.
If you are having difficulty with your user account, need to make adjustments to a submitted application or have general questions about the online application system, please contact the MD Department of Budget and Management at Application.Help@maryland.gov ; ATTN: Recruitment and Examination Division
Inquiries regarding this recruitment can be directed to Courtney Blackistone at courtney.blackistone@maryland.gov.
TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay
Candidates with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. We thank our Veterans for their service to our country, and encourage them to apply. As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity.
