The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) mission is to ensure a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Click the link to learn more about the Division of Forestry.
Provides landowners with technical forestry assistance in areas including reforestation, forest management, timber marketing, watershed protection, insect & disease control, wildland fire safety, forest recreational facility development & wildlife habitat development, forest management plan development, tree planting plans, marketing assistance, wildlife habitat, improving woodland health, financial incentives, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program, Conservation Reserve Program, increasing timber production, forest industries: corresponds with landowners (e.g., face-to-face, writes correspondence, through e-mails & phone calls); inspects forest land to determine eligibility for classification under Ohio Forest Tax Law; coordinates Service Forestry programs with other governmental agencies having complementary programs; performs field inspections to certify technical need for certain forestry practices under federal forestry incentives programs (e.g., EQIP) & checks for compliance under certain practices in such programs; assists in acquiring & maintaining third party sustainable forestry certification (e.g., audits, develops written plans, obtains appropriate Geographic Information System [GIS] information); assists with invasive species program on state & private lands (e.g., presents information at workshops/conferences, provides landowners with up-to-date information on control measures); assists with field work on publicly owned lands (e.g. timber cruising, timber marking, invasive plant monitoring & control); assists with tasks associated with federal grants (e.g. stewardship activities related to Collaborative Chief’s Oak Management project).
Collects & analyzes basic forest data & formulates into overall forest stewardship plan for forest property: makes recommendations on marking of timber; works with timber industry & provides limited assistance on timber procurement processing & marketing problems; conducts forest management seminars; responds to insect & disease inspection requests; develops tree planting & maintenance specifications; reviews landscape plans; recommends tree protection practices; advises on tree removal; assists with training forestry personnel involved in NRCS-related forest management activities (i.e., acts as liaison on NRCS projects; provides technical assistance for forestry stewardship program to assist landowners with accomplishing NRCS program-related work); operates state vehicle to meet with private landowners, governmental, & civic groups, & to navigate throughout & between state forests & to attend various functions; works on special projects (e.g., special landowner cost-share program sign-ups, forest pest surveys, Big Tree Program measurements); performs wildfire support as directed within training & physical capabilities.
Represents the Department & Division & performs public relations duties & various administrative tasks: writes reports; composes correspondence; attends meetings with civic, professional, & governmental agencies; assists with customer service duties as needed, including answering multi-line telephone; operates personal computer to enter, update, correct, delete, & send data; assists in preparation, typing, proofreading and editing, compiling and disseminating of written materials; creates & updates forms in computer as needed; assists with providing basic/routine information to & resolving basic/routine complaints from internal & external customers in Division of Forestry; operates photocopier, scanners, printers, &/or facsimile machine; may assist with preparation process for division-sponsored events; assists Information & Education program with communication, publication, and event activities (e.g. may assist with the coordination and implementation of state fair activities in the Natural Resources Park located at Ohio’s state fairgrounds facility & may assist with the Project Learning Tree-Ohio program activities).
TRAINING REQUIRED TO REMAIN IN CLASSIFICATION AFTER EMPLOYMENT: Must successfully complete basic firefighter/introduction to fire behavior course (i.e., S-130/S-190) within first year of employment pursuant to national interagency incident management system (i.e., wildland & prescribed fire qualification system guide).
UNUSUAL WORKING CONDITIONS: Requires travel; exposed to inclement weather, dust, dirt, insects & poisonous plants; responds to wildfires.
Qualifications
Completion of undergraduate core coursework in forestry or related field of study; 12 mos. trg. or 12 mos. exp. in public relations; 12 mos. trg. or 12 mos. exp. in operation of computer software programs; valid driver’s license. -Or 12 mos. exp. as Forestry Technician, 22321. -Or equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications For Employment noted above.
Knowledge of: employee training & development*; safety practices (Division of Forestry Health & Safety Manual)*; public relations; agency policies & procedures (ODNR, Forestry)*; government structure & process (local, state, federal); natural sciences (forestry, including forest fire control & prevention*); law (Ohio Revised Code [ORC] Chapter 1503).
Skilled in: word processing (Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, Geographic Information System [GIS]); equipment operations (general office equipment (e.g., smart devices, personal computer, calculator), motor vehicle, forestry instruments [e.g., prism, Global Positioning System [GPS], Biltmore stick).
Ability to: define problems, collect data, establish facts & draw valid conclusions; originate routine business letters reflecting standard procedures; handle sensitive inquiries from & contacts with officials & general public; demonstrate physical fitness (e.g., to walk several miles, climb hills); calculate fractions, decimals & percentages; maintain accurate records; prepare & deliver speeches before specialized audiences or plan training programs on timber harvesting & processing of fire control; interpret variety of technical material in books, journals & manuals; complete routine forms; prepare meaningful, concise & accurate reports.
Apply: https://careers.ohio.gov/