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NATURAL RESOURCES PLANNER I

Watershed Forestry Planner

Recruitment #24-002308-0004

Introduction

This is a contractual, position specific recruitment for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Maryland Forest Service. This recruitment will be used to fill current vacancies for the position and may be used to fill future vacancies in the same classification/function. Future vacancies may also be filled via other recruitments. The resulting eligible list will be maintained for one year.

GRADE

13

LOCATION OF POSITION

Morgan Run Forest Service Office, 328 A East Nicodemus Road, Westminster, MD 21157 (Carroll County)

Main Purpose of Job

This position serves the watershed forestry program, offering technical support and outreach to increase the rate of riparian forest buffer planting, especially through the use of USDA programs. Tasks include outreach to landowners and organizations for potential buffer plantings, reviews roadside tree permits, responds to wildfires , coordination with other agency staff implementing programs, checking tree survival, assisting with program re-enrollment, developing riparian buffer planting plans and other forest management plans, and verifying survival of plantings and practices. Other tasks can relate to wildlife management, forest protection, other tree planting, and landscape-scale planning and targeting.

POSITION DUTIES

The Department of Natural Resources, Forest Service is currently accepting applications for a long-term contractual watershed forestry planner in Carroll and Baltimore County, Maryland. The position will work with landowners and conservation programs, particularly Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) to increase riparian forest buffer planting. The position is located at the Morgan Run Forestry Office in Westminster, Maryland. Work includes reviewing roadside tree permit applications, wildfire suppression, collecting forest inventory data and buffer survival checks, developing recommendations for management of forests and buffers, developing planting plans for buffers and other tree planting, invasive species control and recommendations, outreach to landowners and organizations for enrollment or re-enrollment in CREP, and working with other local, state, and federal agencies to carry out projects. Other activities include assisting with Backyard Buffers program, white oak acorn collection for white oak initiative and data collection in long-term buffer monitoring sites. The position is full-time, 40 hours/week, with occasional weekend or evening obligations. Applicants must be willing to work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in an environmental science or natural resources planning, management or development.

Experience: None.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in urban or regional planning, engineering, physical geography, or the physical, chemical, biological sciences and one year of experience in natural resources planning or applied environmental science for the required education.

2. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in the general natural resources management and biological sciences classifications or general natural resources management and biological sciences specialty codes in the general natural resources management and biological sciences field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required education.  

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • A Bachelor of Science degree in forestry from a school of forestry accredited by the Society of American Foresters.
  • Experience with the care, handling, and planting of bare-root seedlings or writing tree planting plans.
  • Experience in Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP).
  • Experience with forestry data collection.
  • Experience using Geographic Information Systems (GIS), specifically ArcGIS software.
  • Experience identifying or controlling forest-related invasive species.
  • Experience controlling wildland fires.

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator's license valid in the State of Maryland.

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 qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. We will not accept information submitted after this date. Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be considered for this position. Therefore, it is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Report all education and experience related to the essential functions and qualifications of this position.

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.

Inquiries regarding this recruitment can be directed to Adriana Parravano at adriana.parravano@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. 



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