Forester jobs in South Dakota

Job ID: 26701
Agency: Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources - Resource Conservation and Forestry
Location: Mitchell
Salary: $22.06 to $27.56, depending on experience
Pay Grade: GH
Closing Date: 04/25/2024

This is a full-time position with the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources. For more information on the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, please visit https://danr.sd.gov/.

This position will be part of the rural forestry team within the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources. The person will be working extensively with private landowners, conservation districts, and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) staff. This is a full-time, term position lasting four years with potential for extension depending upon funding. Day travel is frequent and overnight trips will average about two‐three nights per month. Some air travel may be required to attend meetings or out‐of-state training. Normal work hours will be 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

This position will involve outdoor work and the ability to walk for extended distances on rough terrain.

Licenses and Certifications:
The successful candidate will be required to obtain a pesticide application certificate from the State of South Dakota and must have a driver's license.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have:
The ideal candidate for this position will have formal education or experience in forestry, agroforestry, or a related natural resource field. Experience may be substituted for education if that experience has prepared the candidate to successfully carry out the duties of this position. The candidate must have the ability to speak at public meetings. The successful candidate will be able to explain complex forestry concepts and practices in common terms. The candidate must be a self‐starter and will work under light general supervision. The ideal candidate must have a working knowledge of computers and Microsoft Office Professional software. The candidate should have a working knowledge of geographic information systems ArcPro. The candidate must be able to analyze extensive resource data and draw logical conclusion from that data. The candidate should have good writing skills and the ability to write complex reports on forestry projects.

Knowledge of:

• agroforestry designs and principles;
• dendrology;
• arboriculture;
• biology;
• biometrics;
• botany;
• forest ecology, mensuration;
• forest entomology and forest pathology;
• geographic information systems (ArcPro);
• horticulture, hydrology, plant physiology, and silviculture;
• state and federal laws regulating the use of pesticides;
• forest fire management, forest insects and diseases, tree biology, forest economics, forest planning;
• project design and management, urban forestry, agroforestry, and forest certification programs.

Skill to:

• use a variety of forestry tools and equipment;
• use: biltmore stick, clinometers, diameter tapes, prisms, increment borers, cruiser axes, data recorders, hypsometers, measuring wheel, compass, data recorders, global positioning systems.

Ability to:

• drive a 4‐wheel drive truck and an ATV in a variety of weather conditions;
• use forestry tools for measuring purposes;
• conduct literature and technical reference searches;
• conduct soil survey research;
• use and interpret topographic maps;
• use Microsoft Office products: Word, Outlook, Access, Excel, Publisher, PowerPoint;
• use digital graphic software, mapping programs, and GPS information uploading, downloading, and interpretation;
• write professional and technical reports that can be understood by both professional and lay persons;
• deal tactfully with others;
• communicate effectively both orally and in writing;
• work independently with minimal supervision, or with a group in a team setting.

This position is eligible for Veterans’ Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.

The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.

The State of South Dakota offers employer paid health insurance plus eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information at https://bhr.sd.gov/job-seekers/work-for-state-government/. This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.

Must apply online: https://sodakprod-lm01.cloud.infor.com:1443/lmghr/xmlhttp/shorturl.do?key=PES
You must apply online, emailed resumes or submissions will not be accepted.
South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources
Telephone: 605.773.3148 Email: careers@state.sd.us
http://bhr.sd.gov/workforus
"An Equal Opportunity Employer"