Area Forester - Tidewater District

Role Overview

The Virginia Department of Forestry is hiring a field forester for the Tidewater region, with primary focus on the Northern Neck, including Richmond County and Northumberland County. This role is centered on providing professional forestry guidance to private landowners and helping advance the agency’s mission of protecting and improving healthy, sustainable forest resources across Virginia.

This position belongs to the Tidewater District and supports the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula. Although the work area includes offices in Bowling Green, Tappahannock, and Gloucester, the role is a home-based, fully mobile field position. A state vehicle, computer, and cell phone will be provided.

Pay and Grade

State role title: Natural Resource Spec III

Hiring range: $44,192 to $60,000 annually

Pay band: 4

Agency: Department of Forestry

Location: Eastern Office, Tappahannock

Key Duties

• Support forest landowners with technical forestry guidance and preparation of forest management plans.
• Assess forest stands and harvested sites to recommend sound regeneration and forest management practices.
• Help design and promote riparian buffer projects.
• Link private landowners with state and federal cost-share programs for forest, wildlife habitat, and related conservation projects.
• Identify forest health concerns, including invasive pests and plants, and recommend management actions to protect forest health.
• Encourage conservation of forestland with landowners and local governments.
• Deliver conservation education and outreach to groups and individual stakeholders.
• Work with local governments, state agencies, conservation organizations, and citizen groups.
• Help with wildfire prevention and suppression, timber harvest inspections, and enforcement of silvicultural water quality, timber theft, and wildland fire laws.

Minimum Qualifications

• Working knowledge of tree species identification, silvics of Virginia native trees, forest soils, and forest measurements/biometrics.
• Background or training in riparian buffer establishment and tree planting.
• Experience or training in identifying forest health problems, applying integrated pest management, and using pesticides on forestland.
• Ability to prepare scientific forest management plans.
• Ability to use standard forester tools such as an increment borer, diameter tape, prism, and clinometer for timber cruising.
• Knowledge or training related to harvesting systems and Virginia’s Silvicultural Best Management Practices for Water Quality.
• Ability to work independently, stay organized, and build effective working relationships with agencies, planners, cooperators, and the public.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to use a PC and Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to work in rough, muddy, wooded terrain and in all weather conditions.
• Ability to climb on and off equipment, operate in smoky conditions, travel statewide, and stay overnight when needed.
• Valid Virginia driver’s license or the ability to obtain one before the start date.

Preferred Qualifications

• Training or experience in wildland firefighting or prescribed burn management, including Virginia Prescribed Burn Manager certification.
• Experience with GIS, GPS, online mapping tools, and basic forest surveying.
• Training or experience in applied silviculture and forest management techniques.

Special Instructions and Conditions

The selected candidate must be able to obtain a Virginia Commercial Driver’s License and a Commercial Pesticide Applicators Permit within 12 months of employment; training will be provided.

Because this role supports wildfire response, the employee must be available on call during spring and fall fire seasons.

A moderate physical fitness test is required under federal guidelines. The test involves walking 2 miles in 30 minutes while carrying a 25-pound pack.

The successful candidate must also pass a criminal background check and a drug screening.

As part of an emergency response agency, employees may be asked to support emergency operations, including nights, weekends, and holidays, when needed.

Benefits

All Virginia state employee benefits are included, such as paid holidays, vacation leave, healthcare coverage, and participation in a state retirement plan.

Residency Requirement

Within 6 months of hire, the incumbent must live in Richmond County or Northumberland County, or in a location within a reasonable driving distance if agreed upon with the regional forester.

Alternative Hiring Process

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered, candidates must provide an AHP Letter issued by DARS or DBVI. Service-connected veterans are encouraged to respond to veteran-status questions and submit disability documentation, if applicable, to obtain an AHP Letter. A prior Certificate of Disability issued by DARS or DBVI between April 1, 2022 and February 29, 2024 may still be used as supporting documentation where applicable.

Contact Information

Kristina Estep
Phone: 434-529-7244
Email: kristina.estep@dof.virginia.gov

Additional Details

Recruitment type: General Public - G

Agency website: www.dof.virginia.gov