Natural Resource Specialist 1 (Forester)

There are currently two Permanent, full-time positions open with the Oregon Department of Forestry; one in Philomath and one in Veneta . This announcement will be used to establish a list of qualified candidates for these positions and may be used to fill future Natural Resource Specialist 1 vacancies as they occur.

For specific questions regarding these positions, please contact the supervisor listed below for the location you are interested in.

Philomath – Evelyn Hukari, State Lands Unit Forester, at 541-929-9161.

Veneta – Ole Buch, Western Lane Assistant District Forester, at 541-935-2283 x234.

The Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Mission is – To serve the people of Oregon through the protection, management, and promotion of a healthy forest environment, which will enhance Oregon’s livability and economy for today and tomorrow. ODF is a multi-programmed, multi-funded public agency chartered and structured to administer the forest laws and policies of the State of Oregon, within the framework of sustainable forests, for the benefit of all Oregonians.

The State Forest program must secure the greatest permanent value of state forestlands to the State. Greatest permanent value means “healthy, productive and sustainable forest ecosystems that over time and across the landscape provide a full range of social, economic and environmental benefits to the people of Oregon”.

The purpose of these positions are to perform tasks associated with program goals which contribute to the mission of the Oregon Department of Forestry, as assigned by the Unit Forester. The actions carried out by these positions are to assist in development and implementation of annual operations plans to achieve the goals and objectives of the Forest Management Plan and District Implementation Plan. Assigned tasks to accomplish this include field and office preparation of timber sale and reforestation service contracts for State Forest management activities.

The Oregon Department of Forestry: Serving Oregonians by protecting Oregon’s forests.

Duties & Responsibilities

Duties include but are not limited to:
Timber Sale Preparation – Conduct all aspects associated with timber sale layout, including but not limited to:

Recons proposed sale areas to determine timber sale boundaries, roads and landing locations, and other site specific considerations such as high risk sites, insect and disease problems, reforestation considerations, logging options and environmental safeguards.

Performs Upper Extent Fish Use/Seasonality Stream Surveys and works with GIS Coordinator to assure data is entered into GIS Streams Layer.

Posts timber sale boundaries and stream buffers.

Develops timber cruise design and cruises timber for species composition, volume, grade, and defect.

Prepares timber cruise for computation.

Prepares logging appraisals.

Prepares timber sale contract including contract provisions, exhibits and associated reports.

Identifies road, landing and waste area locations for new construction and road improvements. Lays out and marks these areas in the field.

Identifies road related hazards.

Collects road field data (when critical): P-line information, Cross-section information, and other information.

Reforestation/Plantation Maintenance

Prepares service contracts and exhibits

Files Notifications of Operations for district Reforestation and YSM work as needed.

Conducts stocking surveys, survival exams and plantation evaluations in young plantations.

Develops work plans, work orders and work maps for district inmate crew work. Determines weekly work priorities.

Checks the work of inmate crews engaged in district reforestation and young stand management work, provides feedback to the FICC.

Updates data management system (Stand Treatment Records).

Applies herbicides as needed to control vegetation (including roadside spraying and invasive weed treatment).

Contract Administration

Completes Operations Plans, Branding hammer and Log Load Receipt book transfers, Scaling instructions and other log accountability activities.

Inspects timber sales for contract, Forest Practices Act, Forest Management Plan, fire and other forest law compliance and prepares inspection reports and status reports. Works with Operations Forester and Unit Forester to resolve issues.

Except for unusual situations of complex policy interpretations, negotiates contract modifications and recommends approval to the Unit Forester.

Documents timber sale activity through sale diary, entries and written reports. Sends out timely sale and project completion notices to ensure contract deadlines are met.

Administers service contracts for planting, pre-commercial thinning and herbicide application.

Because the Department’s highest priority work is a forest fire emergency, this position may be utilized during those emergencies to provide assistance in a variety of ways. That assistance may be directly aiding the emergency effort in the field or at the Salem headquarters. It also may be in providing backup to fill in for another position that is being used in direct aid to the emergency, or it may be in performing an essential function in some capacity either within this Program or elsewhere in Salem or in the field.

WORKING CONDITIONS

These positions require working in steep, rugged, brushy terrain in all types of weather conditions using various types of cutting tools. Work may also require occasional exposure to heavy equipment operations, aircraft, hazards of burning and/or falling material, and chemical and biological pesticides. Work schedules may be irregular, requiring long hours and weekends, and staying overnight when away from work office during emergency and/or project work. These positions require driving an assigned vehicle while obeying all traffic laws. Driving on steep narrow forest roads in dusty, wet, icy or muddy road surface conditions is common. Majority of the work is in the field requiring a high level of physical fitness including leg strength, endurance and balance agility. Office work includes long hours of physical inactivity at a desk under normal office conditions.

Qualifications, Required & Requested Skills

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
A Bachelor’s degree in Forest Management, Forest Engineering or a closely related natural resource science; OR

Three years of experience in Forest Management, Forest Engineering or closely related natural resource field.

NOTE: Transcripts are required to be attached to your application if you are using education or coursework to meet the minimum qualifications. Transcripts must clearly show 1) your name; 2) the name and address of the institution; 3) the degree received and; 4) required courses completed with a passing grade. For application purposes, unofficial transcripts are acceptable; however official or original documents may be requested to validate education. Transcripts must be attached to your application and WILL NOT be accepted as verification of education after the announcement has closed.

NOTE: This position requires the operation of a State vehicle for the purpose of conducting official State business. An Oregon driving record check will be conducted on the top applicants to ensure a valid license and acceptable driving record. If your license is from outside Oregon, you must submit at least a three year court/DMV printout at the time of interview.

An unacceptable driving record includes:
Conviction of a major traffic offense within the previous 24 months which includes reckless driving, driving under the influence, failing to perform the duties of a driver, criminal driving while suspended or revoked, fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, felony hit and run, etc.;

Felony revocation of driving privileges or felony or misdemeanor license suspension within the previous 24 months;

More than 3 moving traffic violations in the previous 12 months;

A careless driving conviction in the previous 12 months;

A Class A moving traffic violation in the previous 12 months.

NOTE: Work boots (minimum 8″ high leather boots with vibram sole) are required.

DESIRED ATTRIBUTES

Demonstrates experience or education in timber sale layout, timber cruising, resource protection and logging systems.

Demonstrates experience or education in reforestation and young stand management. NOTE: Must successfully obtain and maintain a Public Pesticide Applicator’s License with Forest endorsement within 12 months of hire.

Additional Information

IMPORTANT NOTICE:
To improve communication with all applicants the State of Oregon requires an e-mail address be provided on all applications. If you do not currently have an e-mail address and do not know where to go to get one, please refer to our Applicant Frequently Asked Questions web page to view several links to internet providers where you can get a free e-mail account. The State of Oregon does not endorse any particular provider.

To ensure clear communication, please unfilter emails from neogov.com and governmentjobs.com.

Please note: The employee in this position will be represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and will be subject to all terms and conditions of the collective bargaining agreement. Pay and benefits on all job announcements may change without further notice.

To apply, follow the “Apply” link above and complete the Oregon Employment Application online. All application materials must be received by the closing date/time posted on this announcement.

This announcement has supplemental information required for submission. Please see the SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS section of this announcement.

If you require an alternate format in order to complete the employment process, you may call ODF Human Resources at 503-945-7200.

Only complete applications will be considered. Your answers to the supplemental questions must be reflected in the work experience section of your application. Be sure to answer all supplemental questions and attach all required documents. Responses to the supplemental questions will determine if you meet the minimum qualifications, any special qualifications and/or desired attributes for the position. Do not submit a resume in place of completing the Supplemental Questionnaire or the Work Experience section of the application.

Qualified applicants whose responses most closely match the requirements for this position will be invited to interview. Transcripts must be submitted to receive credit for education coursework at the time of application.

Veterans – If you are an eligible veteran and you meet the minimum qualifications, veterans’ preference points will be added to your score. To receive veterans’ preference points you MUST attach to your electronic application the following required documentation:

A copy of the DD214/215 for the five (5) point preference;

OR A copy of the DD214/215; AND a veteran’s disability preference letter from the United States Department of Veterans’ Affairs for the ten (10) point preference.

For more information on veterans’ preference points visit www.oregonjobs.org , and select veterans’ preference.

PLEASE NOTE: The Oregon Department of Forestry does not offer visa sponsorships. Within three days of hire, all applicants will be required to complete U.S. Department of Homeland Security form I-9, confirming authorization to work in the United States.

THE OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY, AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER COMMITTED TO WORK FORCE DIVERSITY

Core benefits

Medical, vision and dental insurance

Comprehensive medical, dental and vision plans for the employee and qualified family members

$5,000 in employee basic life insurance Retirement benefits

Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP)

Employer paid defined benefit and defined contribution programs **Effective November 1, 2016, SEIU represented employees who are Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) participating members will have their base salary increased by 6.95%. Upon becoming a PERS participating member, SEIU employees pay the employee 6% contribution to PERS.

Paid leaves and other benefits

Sick leave earned at the rate of 8 hours per a month with no maximum accumulation

Vacation leave earned at a minimum rate of 8 hours per month with accrual rate increases at 5-year increments

24 hours personal leave earned each fiscal year

Ten paid holidays a year The state also provides access to an innovative Employee Assistance Program that offers work-life counseling, along with homeowner, legal and family resources.

Optional benefits

Term life (employee, spouse or domestic partner, and dependents

Long-term and short-term disability

Accidental Death and Dismemberment

Long-term care (self and eligible family members)

Flexible spending accounts

Option to enroll in the Oregon Savings Growth Plan, a deferred compensation program offering a wide variety of investment options.

The following information describes typical benefits available for employees. Actual benefits received may differ by position or branch of government or be prorated for other than full time work.