Forest Regeneration Specialist

State of Oklahoma

7d•$53,080•Onsite

About The Position

The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry (ODAFF) is seeking a full-time Forest Regeneration Specialist in the Forestry Division. This position (PIN #04000181) is in state government, located in Goldsby, OK. The State of Oklahoma offers a comprehensive Benefits Package, including a generous benefit allowance to offset the cost of insurance premiums for employees and their eligible dependents. The annual salary for this position is up to $53,080.00 based on education and experience. Position Description: Employees in this position are assigned responsibilities involving skilled and specialized work associated with forest regeneration and tree improvement programs, providing genetically improved forest tree and shrub seed and seedlings for natural resource and conservation projects including windbreaks, erosion control, wildlife habitat, reforestation, and other purposes. This includes specialized cultural practices such as seed processing, stratification and sowing, application of nutrients and soil conditioners, diagnosis of pest problems; pollination, grafting and tree breeding, fumigation and pesticide application, handling of tree and shrub seedlings, and other related activities. Level I Description: At this level employees are assigned responsibilities involving entry-level work in planting, transplanting, harvesting and management of trees and shrubs. In this role they will work under close supervision in a training status to build their skills in working with trees and shrubs in a specialized nursery or seed orchard, collecting and processing cones, pollen, and seeds, and completing activities related to the application of nutrients and soil conditioners, the care of tree and shrub seedlings and seedling beds, harvesting plants as appropriate, applying pesticides, grafting rootstock, operating irrigation systems, and other related operations. Level II Description: This is the career level of this job family where employees are assigned responsibilities for performing a full range of duties in performing skilled and specialized work at the full performance level in the operations of a bare root forest tree and shrub seedling nursery or seed orchard. In this role they will be responsible for all phases of specific operations or activities which are a part of the total operation and may also be responsible for providing guidance, supervision, and training to laborers, equipment operators, Level I specialists, and others assigned to the operation.

Requirements

Level I: Bachelor’s degree in forestry, nursery management, horticulture, agronomy or botany.
Level II: Bachelor’s degree in forestry, nursery management, horticulture, agronomy or botany, plus two years of experience in a bare root tree nursery or seed orchard.
Knowledge of bare root forest tree nursery or seed orchard operations; of the propagation of tree and shrub seedlings; of tree and shrub physiology; silvicultural requirements of the species grown; of growing bare root seedling nursery stock; of common plant pests and appropriate pest control measures; and of report writing; of the treatment and protection of seed, and seedling trees and shrubs from insects and disease; of fertilizers and insecticides; of farm machinery and implements; and of record keeping.
Ability is required to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; to express ideas clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; and to follow written and oral instructions.
Applicants must be willing and able to fulfill all job-related travel normally associated with this position.
Certification by the Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry as a Pesticide Applicator must be obtained prior to the completion of the probationary period.

Responsibilities

Locates, collects, cleans and processes seeds from forest trees and shrubs; prepares fields for planting, including sub soiling, plowing, disking, fumigating, tilling, bed shaping, land leveling, and sowing.
Performs or supervises root management practices such as undercutting, lateral root pruning, irrigation, and grafting; applies proper amounts of nutrients and soil conditioners to maintain proper pH and nutrient levels.
Conducts and supervises seed analysis, seed treatment including stratification, scarification, germination testing and determining moisture content and purity of seed and seed storage.
Supervises and trains regeneration specialists, equipment operators, farm hands and laborers in the areas of equipment maintenance, planting, weed control, seed collection, irrigation, harvesting, and other duties; performs or supervises harvesting procedures and storage of nursery stock; ensures that shipping operations are conducted at maximum efficiency; conducts and prepares annual pre-harvest seedling inventory.
Maintains inventories and records of time, materials, chemicals, fertilizers, seeds and other supplies; analyzes data and prepares reports.
Provides general forest management assistance and planting recommendations to landowners upon request.
Coordinates maintenance of equipment and facilities used in program operations.
Conducts and supervises management of forest seed production and seedling test areas, including tree and shrub planting and maintenance, applying pesticides to control weeds, insects, and disease, tree pruning and grafting, pollinating, and other related duties.
Supervises or provides input into seed and seedling production goals, program objectives, operational and strategic plans; coordinates program activities with other agencies and cooperators.
Performs various administrative tasks as required, including work planning, budget preparation, writing contracts, purchasing, and accomplishment reporting.
Plans, organizes, directs and coordinates tours, meetings and other agency and public events.