The Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Mission is – To serve the people of Oregon through the protection, management, and promotion of a healthy forest environment, which will enhance Oregon’s livability and economy for today and tomorrow.  ODF is a multi-programmed, multi-funded public agency chartered and structured to administer the forest laws and policies of the State of Oregon, within the framework of sustainable forests, for the benefit of all Oregonians.

This position administers and enforces the Forest Practices (ORS 527) and the Industrial Fire (ORS 477) statutes within The Dalles Unit of the Central Oregon District.  The purpose of the Private Forests program is to assure the continuous growing and harvesting of forest tree species while protecting the soil, air, and water resources of the state of Oregon through uniform administration of forest practices rules.  These statutes and administrative rules set minimum standards for conducting logging, road building and other activities.  The purpose of the Industrial Fire program is to protect Oregon’s forest from the catastrophic damage from fire caused by fires starting from industrial and non-industrial harvest operations.  The goal is to minimize the total cost of protection from wildfire in terms of suppression costs and net damage through coordinated fire prevention and fire fighting system.  Administration of these rules fulfills the Agency’s mission to act as stewards of the forests of Oregon.

The purpose of this position is to administer the Private Forests and Industrial Fire Prevention programs to minimize resource damage during commercial forest operations and circumvent future problems through a program of cooperative education, applied engineering and enforcement.  This is accomplished through on site inspections for the purpose of educating landowners and operators to minimize impacts of forest activities and for fire prevention.  The Stewardship Forester makes site specific recommendations on operations, checks for compliance with applicable forest practices and fire prevention rules, reviews written plans, issues citations and notices of violation and repair orders, investigates complaints, determines additional slash hazard liabilities from operations, provides options to abate the hazard and administers the Oregon Smoke Management plan on units which are burned.
The Oregon Department of Forestry: Serving Oregonians by protecting Oregon’s forests.

FOREST PRACTICES ACTIVITIES

• Conduct pre-operation inspections prior to activity for compliance with administrative rules (OAR chapter 629-600). Review, analyze and comment on prior approval or alternate plan requests.  Conduct on site inspections to prevent violations of the Forest Practices Act.  Utilize experts from within the department or other natural resources disciplines to assist in recommending practices that will minimize damage to the natural resources.
• Issue citations; write order to repair or correct unsatisfactory conditions resulting from violations.  Write case briefs describing violations for district forester and civil penalties administrator approval.
• Investigate complaints received from private persons or other organizations that may have resulted from a Forest Practices Act violation.  Take necessary action to resolve the reason for the complaint.  Documents complaints on standard forms.
• Conduct reforestation surveys and post harvesting inspections to insure compliance with the Forest Practices Act.
• Prepare and present informational and educational material about the Forest Practices Act to timber industry, civic groups, schools, and other organizations.
• May assist landowners and operators in obtaining a log brand. Make inspections to insure that forest products are branded properly.  Perform other related duties as assigned.  This would include participating in Hood River County Forestry Advisory Committee, watershed council meetings, etc.

FORESTRY ASSISTANCE

• Provide technical forestry assistance to landowners that have signed up for federal cost sharing under any federal programs.  Complete appropriate forestry assistance forms within specified time limits.  Provide advice to the county committee on the technical merit of forest practices.

PROTECTION FROM FIRE

• Participates in fire suppression duties as assigned and consistent with current qualifications.

INDUSTRIAL FIRE PROTECTION

• Inspect harvest operations for compliance with state forest fire prevention laws.  Completes inspection reports, providing copies to landowners and operators.
• Issue the Oregon Uniform Citation when infractions are detected.  Testify in court on infractions.
• Evaluate fire hazard potential after completion of operation and recommend abatement measures.  Fills out notice of Additional Hazard, gathers and records data on slash disposal for the Unit.  Gathers and reports smoke management data.  Determines if slash burning conforms to smoke management plan.
• Develops and presents programs to the timber industry explaining forest fire laws and regulations.  Coordinates and insures that forest fire laws are administered uniformly within the District.  Attends meetings of civic groups as required.
• Investigate operation fires as required by the District.  Issue a Record of Fire Condition as required.  Process forms for Extra Protection Slash Purchases.  Monitor and maintain IFPL levels across the Unit.  Prepare, notify and enforce forest operation closures during high fire danger periods.

Because the Department’s highest priority work is a forest fire emergency, this position may be utilized during those emergencies to provide assistance in a variety of ways.  That assistance may be directly aiding the emergency effort in the field or at the Salem headquarters.  It also may be in providing backup to fill in for another position that is being used in direct aid to the emergency, or it may be in performing an essential function in some capacity either within this Program or elsewhere in Salem or in the field.

WORKING CONDITIONS
Requires operation of motor pool vehicle, obeying all traffic laws, valid driver’s license, and a satisfactory driving record. Frequently working around noisy and dangerous heavy logging machinery.  Frequently walking in extremely steep, slippery terrain in all manner of weather conditions.  Frequently driving in all manner of inclement weather conditions.

Two years of experience in forestry or related natural resource field, AND A Bachelor’s degree in forestry or related natural resource field, OR Three additional years of related  experience;

OR

One year of experience in forestry or related natural resource field, AND a Master’s degree in forestry or related natural resource field.

DESIRED ATTRIBUTES:

• Working knowledge of forest management technology and recommended best management practices.
• College-level training in a natural resource management discipline or enough work experience to provide equivalent knowledge.
• Knowledge of the program statutes, rules, guidelines and policies.
• Excellent verbal and written skills including working with operators, landowners, and the general public in communicating technical information and prescriptive standards.
• Ability to develop proposals, write, and administer grants for forest management and/or fire prescriptions.
• Working knowledge of field technology (GIS, GPS, tablets) in a forestry setting.
• Working knowledge of fire management and fire suppression techniques.
• Ability to work in a team setting.
• Ability to adjust to shifting priorities and emerging issues.

NOTE: This position requires the operation of a State vehicle for the purpose of conducting official State business. An Oregon driving record check will be conducted on the top applicants to ensure a valid license and acceptable driving record.  If your license is from outside Oregon, you must submit at least a three year court/DMV printout at the time of interview.  An unacceptable driving record includes:

• Conviction of a major traffic offense within the previous 24 months which includes reckless driving, driving under the influence, failing to perform the duties of a driver, criminal driving while suspended or revoked, fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, felony hit and run, etc.;
• Felony revocation of driving privileges or felony or misdemeanor license suspension within the previous 24 months;
• More than 3 moving traffic violations in the previous 12 months;
• A careless driving conviction in the previous 12 months;
• A Class A moving traffic violation in the previous 12 months.

To improve communication with all applicants the State of Oregon requires an e-mail address be provided on all applications.  If you do not currently have an e-mail address and do not know where to go to get one, please refer to our Applicant Frequently Asked Questions web page to view several links to internet providers where you can get a free e-mail account. The State of Oregon does not endorse any particular provider.

To ensure clear communication, please unfilter emails from neogov.com and governmentjobs.com.

Please note: The employee in this position will be represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and will be subject to all terms and conditions of the collective bargaining agreement.  Pay and benefits on all job announcements may change without further notice.

To apply, follow the “Apply” link above and complete the Oregon Employment Application online. All application materials must be received by the closing date/time posted on this announcement.

This announcement has supplemental information required for submission. Please see the SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS section of this announcement.

If you require an alternate format in order to complete the employment process, you may call ODF Human Resources at 503-945-7306.

Only complete applications will be considered. Your answers to the supplemental questions must be reflected in the work experience section of your application. Be sure to answer all supplemental questions and attach all required documents. Responses to the supplemental questions will determine if you meet the minimum qualifications, any special qualifications and/or desired attributes for the position. Do not submit a resume in place of completing the Supplemental Questionnaire or the Work Experience section of the application.

Qualified applicants whose responses most closely match the requirements for this position will be invited to interview.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE
Eligible veterans who meet the qualifications will be given veterans’ preference.  To receive preference you MUST attach appropriate documentation as outlined by the Department of Administrative Services at the following website: Veterans Resources.  You may also call the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs at 1-800-692-9666.

 PLEASE NOTE: The Oregon Department of Forestry does not offer visa sponsorships. Within three days of hire, all applicants will be required to complete U.S. Department of Homeland Security form I-9, confirming authorization to work in the United States.