AddressAgency Environmental Conservation, Department of
Title Forestry Technician 1 (2 Positions)
Occupational Category Other Professional Careers
Salary Grade Hourly
Bargaining Unit OSU - Operational Services Unit (CSEA)
Salary Range From $18.22 to $18.22 Hourly
Employment Type Full-Time
Appointment Type Temporary
Jurisdictional Class Competitive Class
Travel Percentage 5%
Workweek Other (see below)
"Other" Explanation Monday - Thursday
Hours Per Week 40
Workday
From 7 AM
To 5:30 PM
Flextime allowed? No
Mandatory overtime? No
Compressed workweek allowed? No
Telecommuting allowed? Yes
County Erie
Street Address 437 Buffalo Rd
City East Aurora
State NY
Zip Code 14052
Minimum Qualifications Thirty (30) semester credit hours, including twelve (12) semester credit hours in forestry, which must include at least one course in three or more of the following areas: botany, dendrology, forest biology, forest ecology, forest ecosystem management, forest entomology, forest health, forest mensuration, forest pathology, forest protection, forest soils, general soils, geographic information systems, land surveying, and silviculture OR One (1) year of technical forestry experience in one (1) or more of the following areas: forest management, including sale and removal of timber products; nursery management, including the transplanting of tree or shrub seedlings; forest pest management, including control of diseases and insect pests.Preferred knowledge and skills:• Educational Background: Completed coursework in forestry, environmental studies, ecology, natural resource management, conservation biology, or wildlife biology. Experience identifying common tree species of New York and the pests that impact them.• Invasive Species Expertise: Knowledgeable about invasive species, identification, and control techniques.• Mapping and Field Skills: Proficient in using maps, GPS, and GIS for effective site location and recording during surveys.• Physical Fitness: Demonstrates physical capability for labor-intensive tasks in diverse terrains and weather conditions; including digging, cutting, spraying, and hiking for extended survey periods.• Communication: Exhibits excellent interpersonal, organization and communication skills, providing accurate information about invasive species of concern to the public. • Work Ethic & Safety: Positive attitude, self-motivated, works well both independently and in a collaborative setting, displays a strong commitment to safety practices.• Herbicide Application: Ability to learn safe and effective herbicide control methods. Prior experience is a plus.• Driver’s License: Candidates must possess a valid driver’s license at the time of appointment.
Duties Description This is a great position for someone who enjoys working as part of a team, exploring new places, being outside doing physical work, and who wants to spend a season learning about manual and chemical invasive plant control, improving their GIS and plant identification skills, and getting professional experience interacting with the public. Giant hogweed is an invasive plant with sap capable of causing injury to humans. In addition to being a public health hazard, giant hogweed plants decrease plant diversity and can lead to soil erosion. Giant hogweed plants are located in a variety of settings (e.g. riparian areas, fields, yards, forests). This will be NYSDEC’s 17th year of managing a GH control program which assists landowners, town, county, and state highway departments by controlling the GH on their properties for them or providing training to them on how to control it themselves. More information about giant hogweed and DEC’s statewide control program can be found online at http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/39809.html. The position’s duties involve fieldwork on both public and private lands; mapping infestations, collecting site information, surveying for plants and implementing manual and/or chemical control of giant hogweed. Appropriate safety equipment and safety training will be provided at the outset of employment. We are looking for qualified and enthusiastic individuals to join our team.Principal Duties• Communication and Permissions: Contact property owners to secure permission for survey and control activities and educate them about giant hogweed on their property.• Site Location and Mapping: Utilize GIS products to accurately locate and delineate specific control sites.• Invasive Species Control: Implement manual and chemical control of giant hogweed. Safely remove and dispose of invasive plant flower/seed heads, conduct additional scouting near known locations and potential areas of spread, and maintain detailed digital records of control activities. Pesticides will be applied under certified supervision, using backpack or hand-held sprayers as per label instructions.
Additional Comments Must have a valid driver’s license or demonstrate the ability to meet the transportation needs of the position. Must be able to negotiate difficult terrain. Must be able to work in remote areas. Must be able to work in adverse weather conditions. Travel may be required. Overnight travel may be required. Must be able to lift and move objects up to 35 pounds.This is a seasonal, hourly appointment with an anticipated end date of 8/22/24. Program needs and funding will determine actual termination date.
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.
Name Heath Boomhower
Telephone 518-402-9273
Fax 518-402-9038
Email Address PostingResponses@dec.ny.gov
Address
Street 625 Broadway
Personnel, 10th Floor
City Albany
State NY
Zip Code 12233
Notes on Applying Please email/mail your resume and transcript to the above. Be sure to include Posting #24-151574 on your resume and also in the subject line of your email or it may not be accepted. You must submit a copy of your college transcript. An unofficial copy is acceptable.
