Forester - Clo North Zone Service Forester

First Review of Applicants will be April 8th 

The DNRC believes employees are their most important asset. The DNRC empowers employees to exercise professional judgment in carrying out their duties. Employees are provided with the training and tools necessary to achieve the mission. Both team effort and individual employee expertise are supported and sustained.

Department and Work Unit Overview:  
The mission of the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC or Department) is to ensure that Montana's land and water resources provide benefits for present and future generations. Area and Unit offices are responsible for integrating and implementing programs for both the Forestry and Trust Land Management Divisions. The Forestry Division plans and implements forestry and fire management programs through an extensive network of staff in field offices across the state. Division functions include: fire & aviation management, forestry assistance, business management, and policy, planning and outreach. The Trust Land Management Division administers and manages the state trust timber, surface, and mineral resources for the benefit of the common schools and the other endowed institutions in Montana. Division functions include: Agriculture and Grazing Management, Forest Management, Minerals Management, and Real Estate Management.

The Central Land Office (CLO) carries out the programs for the Forestry and Trust Land Management Division in 14 counties and is divided into four Units: Bozeman, Conrad, Dillon and Helena. This position could be located in any unit, however, will carry out Service Forester duties throughout the land office. This position would be supervised by one Unit Manager and would maintain communication with Unit Managers where work is complete.

Job Overview:  
This position is for the CLO North Zone Service Forester. The North Zone includes Helena and Conrad Units, as well as the north half of Bozeman unit.  The position is responsible for providing service forestry leadership and consultation to forest communities, loggers, land managers, and landowners located within CLO North Zone to build local capacity to sustain adaptive management of Montana forests. This includes assisting landowners in meeting their management objectives while improving and restoring the health of the land, protecting homes and property, retaining the value of the land and ensuring compliance with state and federal laws.  The position also provides wildland fire suppression services and assistance to county and rural fire departments as needed to protect lives, property and natural resources in the unit, and may manage unit operations on behalf of the unit manger to ensure continuity of services.  The Service Forester reports to the Unit Manager.

Essential Functions (Major Duties or Responsibilities):  These job functions are the essential duties of the position and are not all-inclusive of all the duties that may be assigned to the incumbent.

Service Forestry:
Provide service forestry leadership, education, and consultation to forest communities and landowners in CLO North Zone to build local capacity to sustain active management of Montana forests. This includes assisting landowners in meeting their management objectives while improving the health of the land, protecting homes and property, retaining the value of the land and ensuring compliance with state and federal laws.

Wildland Fire Management:
Provide direct wildland fire suppression services and assistance to county and rural fire departments as needed to protect lives, property and natural resources in the units.

Supervision:
The position does not regularly supervise other state employees.          

APPLICATION MATERIALS REQUIRED FOR THE POSITION ARE:

• Cover Letter
• Resume

HELPFUL HINT: You must check the "relevant document" box to ensure your attachments are uploading correctly to the specific application.

What are some of the benefits you can expect from working at DNRC?

• Health Care & Benefits  
• Retirement 
• Paid Vacation, Sick Leave and Holidays

*If you are interested in a complete job description, please contact HR at Stacey.Gabrio@mt.gov

Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience):
The position requires education and experience equivalent to a bachelor's degree in forestry, natural resource management, forest management, or a related field and four (4) years progressively responsible experience in forestry and resource management.

Required knowledge, skills, and abilities: 
The position requires knowledge of the principles and practices of forestry and natural resource management including silviculture, survey methods, research and analysis, fire prevention, forest improvement, insect and disease identification and treatment, wildland and urban firefighting tactics, conservation practices, watershed protection, and forest products (e.g., logging and mill operations).  The position requires knowledge of public relations, communication, technical writing, conflict resolution methods and techniques, investigation and enforcement practices, program administration, governmental accounting and budgeting, grant administration, records management, and report writing.

Knowledge that is preferred or required upon hire includes Montana Forest Practices Laws; the Stewardship Incentive Program as described in the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act; the Private Forestry Assistance (PFA), Federal Law P.L.101-624; Stream Side Management Zone Law (MCA 77-5-301 through 307); Best Management Practices Law (MCA 76-13-104 (3)); Hazard Reduction Law (MCA 76-13-401 through 414) and related programs; and the Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA).  Requires knowledge to pass the following courses upon hire: Standards for Survival (annual); Work Capacity (pack) Test (annual); S-130 Introduction to Fire Fighting; S-190 Basic Fire Behavior; S-290 Intermediate Fire Behavior; S-205 Fire Operations in Urban Interface; and S-230 Single Resource Boss.

The position requires skill in administering multiple forestry programs, verbal and written communication, negotiation and conflict management, the use of personal computers and forestry- and business-related software, and in the operation of fire suppression equipment. 

The position requires the ability to communicate detailed information verbally and in writing; develop and implement State forestry programs; train and direct the work of others; plan, manage time, set priorities and carry out forestry field projects; keep records and prepare reports; make quick, proper and decisive fire suppression decisions; persuade and direct private landowners on methods to achieve forest management objectives; prepare silvicultural prescriptions and fire prescriptions; persuade, discern, negotiate or sometimes diffuse volatile situations, and to provide effective application of forest management principles for accomplishment of forestry field projects.

SPECIAL INFORMATION: 
Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States. A valid driver's license is required with less than 12 conviction points in the most recent completed 36 months.
ELIGIBILITY TO WORK: 
In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act, the person selected must produce within three days of hire documents that show authorization to work in the United States. Examples of such documentation include a birth certificate or Social Security card along with a driver's license or other picture I.D., or a U.S. passport, or a "green card".