Forester

Salary

$26.57 - $39.86 Hourly

$55,273 - $82,909 Annually

This position is a Pay Band C7

Posting Details

Interviews are anticipated to be conducted within two weeks of closing date.

TO APPLY: Visit https://www.emnrd.nm.gov/sfd/join/

The New Mexico Forestry Division retains lead responsibility for wildland fire management on all non-federal, non-tribal, and non-municipal lands, maintaining fire suppression capacities and emphasizing public and firefighters' safety. The Forestry Division promotes healthy, sustainable forests and watersheds in New Mexico for the benefit of current and future generations.

Why does the job exist?

The position functions as the Project Forester for the Chama District which encompasses San Juan County, Rio Arriba County and the western half of Taos County from the Rio Grande. This is a professional forestry position requiring advanced knowledge, skills and abilities to provide assistance to private landowners, tribes, local governments, and state and federal land management partner agencies in the management of forests and watersheds. The position exists to assist landowners and partners meet their goals and objectives which may include improving forest health and wildlife habitat, generating income, restoring forest and watershed conditions, reducing wildfire risk, utilizing prescribed fire, and sequestering carbon. The position provides technical assistance for climate change adaptation including adjustments for longer fire season, higher temperatures and greater variability in precipitation including prolonged drought and high-intensity storm events. This position acts as an agent to negotiate timber sale contracts, inspect commercial timber harvests for compliance with state regulations, develop projects and procure funding for hazardous fuel reduction projects, establish partner collaboration for the implementation and oversight of projects and associated funding sources. Further, the position coordinates the procurement of contractors for forest restoration and treatment services. The position is also responsible for assisting local economies and statewide resources consider the environmental impact on natural resources as a result of future climate change and mitigation of these impacts. The position consults on fire suppression, fire prevention and prescribed burning through education; considering the effect of forest pathology and entomology on natural resources and implications of climate change impacts. Lastly, the position will assist with training of partner organizations in forest management, wood product utilization, and spatial forest and fire management planning.

How does it get done?

This position is responsible for programs such as the Commercial Timber Harvest Program and assists the District Forester with Wildland - Urban Interface (WUI) projects. The duties include writing stewardship plans, drafting and releasing requests for proposal (RFP), issuing commercial timber harvest permits, and reviewing commercial timber harvest applications. As the Project Forester they will be required to enforce the Commercial Timber Harvesting Requirements (19.20.4 NMAC), work with potentially uncooperative private landowners, maintain a safe work environment during fire suppression activities and assist in resolving disputes between forestry thinning contractors and private forest landowners. All of this is done while assuring that the Division stays in compliance with the applicable State Laws and Regulations. The position will also work with 19 of the 23 Tribes, Nations and Pueblos to implement forest and watershed management, collaboration and consultation.

1. Develop, coordinate and manage forest management projects by overseeing the Commercial Timber Harvesting Requirements and permitting program, promote forest and watershed management best practices, and provide technical assistance to landowners, tribes, local government and state and federal land managers with goals of achieving multiple benefits for the public, keeping these forested lands productive and healthy for future and present generations, increasing the economic and environmental benefits for the public and landowners.
2. Coordinate and manage Forest and Watershed Restoration Projects across the district
3. Support the District's Fire Program and New Mexico Prescribed Fire Act activities in the district

Who are the customers?

Primary customers are private forest landowners, cooperating natural resource agencies, local governments, tribal nations, and non-federal forest landowners.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will have experience in the following:

• Grant, agreement, contract, plan, and report writing experience.
• Excels in both written and oral communication with diverse groups.
• Working knowledge of Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping and data collection.
• Certifications in wildland fire management.

Minimum Qualification

Bachelor's degree in forestry; or a bachelor's degree in a related natural science and six (6) months related experience. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling four and one-half (4 ½) years may substitute for the required education and experience.

Employment Requirements

Must maintain and possess a current New Mexico Driver's License, Defensive Driving Certificate

Working Conditions

Work is preformed both in office and field setting. Employee may be exposed to inclement weather conditions and required to walk in steep rugged and remote terrain. Employee may be exposed to excessive noise from power equipment and fire suppression apparatus. May be required to work evenings, weekdays and holidays.