Forest Tech 1

Position Available: Forest Technician (SMLT 1 – NRT070) or Forester – State Lands Specialist (NRP023)

Placement: Candidates will be placed into one of the above positions based on their qualifications. Specific qualifications for each role are outlined later in this posting.

Forest Technician Salary: $47,606.00 annually

Forester – State Lands Specialist Salary: $62,470.46 annually

With limited supervision, administers GFC’s State Lands Program. Responsible for and ensures Georgia’s public forest are well managed, healthy, and growing sustainable forest products. Works with state partners such as US Forest Service, US Fish & Wildlife Service, DNR, UGA, DOC, GDOT, etc….to develop and accomplish forest management objectives on public land.  Through data collection, assists GFC’s Law Enforcement Department with investigations of timber theft.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES: Under limited supervision, performs various forest management activities.

Timber Sales duties may include:

·        Produce timber harvest plans.

·        Perform Georgia Environmental Policy Act (GEPA) reviews related to timber sales.

·        Conduct timber cruising, timber sale area and SMZ line marking and timber marking and GPS field work.

·        Workup timber cruises and establish minimum acceptable bids.

·        Conduct timber sale bid openings.

·        Conduct timber harvest inspections and coordinate with timber buyers and loggers to ensure contractual compliance.

·        Conduct reconciliation of timber sale settlements and load card security related to timber sales.

·        Update and maintain timber sale records on the GFC Timber Sale System.

Forest Management duties may include:

·        Write and/or update forest management plans for state properties.

·        Assist with maintaining/updating shape files for state properties.

·        Supervise forest management activities on state and federal lands, to include but not limited to herbicide treatments, road construction and fire line construction.

·        Supervise reforestation efforts and conduct seedling survival surveys.

·        Develop prescribed burning plans and coordinate, supervise and conduct prescribed burning.

·        Diagnose insect/disease/invasive plant infestations and make recommendations.

·        Operate Unmanned Aerial Systems to collect information and photographs related to lands under management.

·        Supervise and conduct Common Stand Exam inventories on federal lands.

·        Operate farm tractor and cutter/bush hog in maintaining State properties.

Timber Transaction Complaint duties may include:

·        Supervise and conduct stump cruise field work.

·        Workup stump cruises.

·        Produce timber volumes and values related to stump cruises, produce maps of complaint areas and put in format for use by Law Enforcement Department.

As time allows from above duties, assist Dixon Memorial State Forest Manager with all aspects of forest management on the Forest.

Entry Requirements: Forest Tech requirements – Associates Degree in forestry, forest resources, or other forestry major and three years’ experience in the forestry field.

Forester requirements - Bachelor's degree in forestry, forest resources, or other forestry major from a SAF accredited college or university, AND three years of experience required as a Forester. Working knowledge of timber markets, forest management, and forest ecology including conservation values such as water, wildlife management, endangered species, forest pests and other important natural resources. Knowledgeable of Best Management Practices, especially pertaining to road construction, stream crossings, and all phases of timber harvesting.

Experience developing, writing, and implementing forestry management plans. Some in-state, overnight travel will be required as well as occasional out-of-state travel.

Placement will depend on your qualifications. Candidates may be hired as either a Forest Technician (SMLT 1)(NRT070) or a Forester – State Lands Specialist, (NRP023) based on experience, credentials, and registration status. Starting salary will align with the position and qualifications at the time of hire.

Preferred Qualifications: A working knowledge of timber sale transactions, logger supervision, conducting timber inventories, and accounting procedures for common methods of timber sales. Proficiency in Word, Excel, standard forester field tool and use of GPS/ArcGIS for basic map creation.