Staff Forester I - FIA

Texas A&M University System • Henderson, TX

1d

About The Position

The Staff Forester I - FIA (Forest Inventory Analysis) will serve as forest survey crew leader and be responsible for the survey program in the assigned region. They will investigate land ownership in the tax office, contact landowners, locate field plots, collect and transmit FIA data and meet production goals. They will also assist with local and statewide emergency incident response.

Requirements

• Required Education: Bachelors degree in Forestry with emphasis in Forest Management or closely related course of study from a SAF Accredited Forestry Degree program.
• Required Experience: None
• Required Skills: Organization, communication and documentation skills.
• Required Ability: Communicate clearly. Multi-task and work cooperatively with others.
• Required: Valid Texas Drivers license or ability to obtain one within 30 days of employment.
• Must be able to work overtime w/some overnight travel; in the field for extended periods of time.

Nice To Haves

• Preferred Education: Two (2) or more higher education degrees in Forestry OR one higher education degree in Forestry and a second higher education degree in a program-applicable field.
• Preferred Experience: Experience in field of natural resources, production or working as part of a team.
• Preferred knowledge: Strong dendrology and vegetation inventory knowledge preferred. Full understanding of cooperation with federal agencies
• Preferred ability: Lead and motivate large staff.
• Preferred: USFS Certified Cruiser. SAF Certified Forester. NWCG Firefighter 2

Responsibilities

• Serve as forest survey crew leading and be responsible for the survey program in the assigned region. Investigate land ownership in the tax office, contact landowners, locate field plots, collect and transmit forest survey data and meet production goals. Occasional duties will include performing related duties when required and the employee is encouraged to be involved with community and professional activities not specifically related to the agency. 1) Maintain QA average <95% 2) Meet monthly production goals 3) Effectively supervise technical field staff 4) Effectively acquire access to plot locations 5) Assist with hiring of technical field staff 6) Assist with training of new FIA employees 7) Assist with regional special studies. 8) Assist with delivery of other agency programs as available (Management Plans, Conservation Education programs, Fire Prevention/Suppression, Wildland Urban Interface, etc.).
• Acquire USFS FIA 'Certified Cruiser' certification within six months of employment.
• Involvement in local natural resource organization and professional societies. (SAF, TFA, FLA..) and agency committees.
• Assist with local and statewide incident response operations and other Field Operations and Planning & Preparedness programs. Maintain FFT2 NWCG Certification. Employees responding to wildfire incidents are required to meet a moderate physical fitness standard by passing the Work Capacity Test each year. This involves walking two (2) miles, wearing a 25lb pack in 30 minutes or less.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Texas A&M University System strives to support the health and wellness needs of our diverse workforce. Texas A&M Forest Service offers a competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance, retirement benefits, paid time off and health and lifestyle programs as well as educational incentives and tuition reimbursement opportunities. Some additional benefits include the ability to accrue compensatory time off, overtime on emergency response, uniform allowance, professional development opportunities, position-specific training at not cost and a physical fitness incentive of $500 for passing the arduous test (walk three miles wearing a 45-pound pack in 45 minutes or less) each year.
• Besides getting to work for a highly-acclaimed state forestry agency with top-notch staff, there are many tangible benefits that go along with working with Texas A&M Forest Service. Exceptional health insurance is a huge economic benefit for employees. In addition to medical and life insurance, there are also options of dental, vision, long-term disability, and more. Paid vacation and sick leave and strong retirement plans round out a great benefit package.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level