Field Forester - Hamilton, ON, Canada - Munro Footwear Group

Description

The mission of the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) is to ensure that Montana's land and water resources provide benefits for present and future generations.

The DNRC believes employees are their most important asset. Employees are provided with the training and tools necessary to achieve the mission.


Work Unit Overview:

The Hamilton Unit (HU), Southwestern Land Office (SWLO), represents the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) in Ravalli County.

The Hamilton Unit is responsible for conducting the field activities of the programs, laws, and rules administered by the Forestry Division and Trust Land Management Division of DNRC.

The Hamilton Unit is managed by a Unit Manager who reports directly to the Area Manager of the Southwestern Land Office.

The position is a forester who provides advanced expertise in natural resources management in both Service Forestry and Trust Lands Forestry programs.

This position also assists with, implements, and administers other Trust Lands and Forestry programs.

The incumbent is responsible for the administration, oversight, and implementation of forest product sales (timber sales and timber permits) and non-commercial treatments within the Hamilton Unit.

Serves as Project Leader for the preparation of timber sales, timber permits, other forest product sales, and non-commercial treatments on Trust Lands.

Collects inventory data on forested land to determine the natural resources present, their condition, and management potential.

identifies soil characteristics, slope and aspect, streamside management zones, riparian areas, wildlife habitat, and other factors that influence timber sale planning and operations.

Uses this data to update and maintain accurate stand level inventories to ensure efficient and appropriate project scheduling, and to achieve timber management goals and objectives.

Develops proposals for the harvesting of timber resources or other forest products on state lands, including alternatives.

This involves evaluating reconnaissance and inventory information, determining potential impacts to the environment, and identifying potential conflicts with landowners, other agencies, and the general public.

Ensures forest product sale schedules, plans, and project timelines are appropriate and support overall forest program management objectives.
Develops temporary road use agreements. Develops easements with cooperation from the Real Estate Bureau.

Key elements include scoping and public participation, issue identification, adherence to the Administrative Rules for Forest Management and DNRC's Habitat Conservation Plan, internal review process, comprehensive analysis of impacts, development of alternatives, MEPA documentation.

Conducts sale layout entering information into the Field Maps app on an iPad, establishes sale unit boundaries and SMZ boundaries, performs road layout, marks timber, and conducts timber cruises.

This includes developing timber sale contracts to ensure compliance with state Administrative Rules for Forest Management and DNRC's Habitat Conservation Plan, silvicultural prescriptions, and MEPA mitigations.

Contracts include development of sale maps using ArcPro, road packages (road costs, road logs, road specifications), summaries of timber volumes, forest improvement requirements (weed control, grass seeding requirements), forest product specifications, harvest dates, and contract termination dates.

Serves as Forest Officer and conducts regular inspections of the sale operations to ensure terms of the contract are met.

Performs pre-sale meetings with contractors. Administers timber harvest, road construction, road re-construction, temp road construction, bridge and culvert installation, and other sale-related activities. Maintains complete records using timber sale inspection reports to document adherence to contract specifications, and sale progress.

Conducts slash disposal including pile burning, broadcast burning, developing burn plans, acquiring air quality permits, coordinating burning with partnering agencies, and monitoring burns.

Designs and implements post and pole sales, pulpwood sales, Christmas tree sales, commercial firewood sales, and other miscellaneous forest product sales.

Designs and implements forest improvement activities: tree planting, grass seeding, noxious weed management, road maintenance/repair, and pre-commercial thinning. Planning involves development of appropriate MEPA documentation, contracts, and contract solicitations.

Assist in activities related to the identification and acquisition of legal access to State lands for forest management and other purposes.

Coordinates with relevant Area staff and Real Estate Management Bureau staff to complete work.
Assist in activities related to real estate projects and transactions within the Hamilton Unit. Activities include issuing permits, leases, licenses, and easements; and residential and commercial real estate development. Work is done in collaboration with the Unit Manager, Area, and/or Bureau staff.

It includes conducting site reviews, gathering input from landowners or concerned public groups and individuals, preparing appropriate MEPA documentation, developing stipulations and restrictions, preparing 1icenses, administering site activities for compliance, conducting inspections as appropriate.

Issue permits and licenses for recreation activities on Trust Lands.
Work with FWP game wardens to ensure compliance with State Land Recreation Use Rules.
Coordinate forest management activities with existing agriculture and grazing licenses and leases.
Forestry Division Programs (30% of the time)
Forestry Assistance
The incumbent is responsible for extensive duties which accomplish the mission of the Forestry Assistance Program.

The Forestry Assistance Bureau provides leadership, program direction, and budget and staff support for several statewide programs:

Fire Hazard Reduction, Forest Practices, Private Forestry Assistance, Urban & Community Forestry, Forest Stewardship, Forest Pest Management, Biomass Utilization, and the Conservation Seedling Nursery.

Administers and enforces laws regulating forestry operations on State and private lands within the Hamilton Unit.

Administers Best Management Practices by communicating the basis and need for compliance to logging contractors, private landowners, and others.

Provides information on a variety of practices related to timber harvesting operations and procedures, conducts inspections, and monitors effectiveness at specific sites.

Administers and enforces the Streamside Management Zone law by providing information to contractors and landowners on required and prohibited practices.

Develops MEPA documents and alternative practice documents for commercial work within the SMZ. Conducts site visits to ensure compliance with alternative practices documents. Performs investigations of complaints concerning potential SMZ violations and documents the nature of impacts. Administers Hazard Reduction Agreements in accordance with the State Fire Hazard Reduction Laws. Works with the office manager to issue HRA agreements and HRA closures/refunds. Offers technical assistance about SMZ laws and Best Management Practices to HRA holders.

Advises private landowners about various grants, and cost-share programs including project recruitment and development, technical assistance, contract administration, project monitoring, and processing reimbursement requests.

Serves as primary contact with Bitterroot RCD on fuels reduction projects.

Provides Urban Forestry services to communities by participating in Arbor Day events, attending tree board meetings, administrating urban forestry grants, and providing technical assistance such as workshops on urban tree health and care.

Assists communities with urban forestry projects in the form of planning, design, implementation, and final inspection.
The incumbent will assist with rural fire coordination for the Hamilton Unit. Attending fire council meetings and generally being involved at the local level.

Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience): The required knowledge, skills, and abilities are typically acquired through a combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor's degree in Forest Management or a related Natural Resources Management field and 2 years of progressively responsible job-related professional experience in forest management.

equipment and techniques used in forest management projects and operations; forest practices and hazard reduction laws, Administrative Rules, legislative intent, standards, guidelines, policies and procedures related to forest management operations and activities; and considerable knowledge of the Montana Environmental Policy Act and related laws and rules governing natural resource management.

Knowledge of the terminology, principles, methods and approaches used in silviculture, ecology, hydrology, wildlife and fisheries biology, plant pathology, and range management.

Specific knowledge of plant taxonomy, habitat typing, timber cruising, log scaling, harvesting systems, data collection and sampling techniques; fire behavior, fire suppression techniques, land surveying, and timber appraisal procedures.

The position also requires knowledge of supervisory principles and practices, DNRC and State Personnel policies, procedures, precedents, organizational structures, employment law and program requirements.

The position requires skill in the use and operation of tools, equipment, and vehicles used in forest management and wildland fire control.

Skill in the use of computer hardware and software related to natural resources management business operations (word processing, spreadsheets, internet, and e-mail) and specialized resource management software.

Skills in geographic information systems (ArcPro).
The position requires the ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing to individuals and groups in DNRC and from other organizations and the public; the ability to establish and maintain positive and effective relationships with internal and external parties, the ability to coordinate and direct multiple human and physical resources, the ability to complete work objectives, to work on multiple projects simultaneously;

Required Licenses:
An Herbicide Applicator's License is not required upon hire; however, this license is required after hire.

Training Assignment :
This agency may use a training assignment. Employees in training assignments may be paid below the base pay established by the agency pay rules. Conditions of the training assignment will be stated in writing at the time of hire.

00 Yearly Telework Eligibility :
Telework Eligible (Full-time telework is not available. Telework schedule must be supervisor approved.) Health Insurance, Paid Leave & Holidays, Retirement Plan Number of Openings
: 1 Employee Status :

Regular Schedule :
Full-Time Shift
:
Closing Date (based on your computer's timezone)

gov | Contact Phone :
The State of Montana has a decentralized human resources (HR) system. Montana Job Service Offices also offer services including assistance with submitting an online application.

State government does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth or medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, creed, political beliefs or affiliation, veteran status, military service, retaliation, or any other factor not related to merit and qualifications of an employee or applicant.

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