Forester (Urban) 20051139
Job Duties
Who we are:
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) is committed to its mission “To ensure a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all.” Our agency embraces the insightful use of our natural resources to assure the continued safety, happiness and prosperity of Ohio’s people.
ODNR owns and manages state parks, state forests, state nature preserves and wildlife areas. We license all hunting, fishing and watercraft; oversee and permit all mineral extraction, monitor dam safety, manage water resources and serve as the second largest Law Enforcement presence in the State of Ohio.
We are accepting applications for a Forester within the Division of Forestry, headquartered in Geauga county. The address is 11800 Buckeye Drive, Newbury, Ohio 44065. To learn more about the Division of Forestry please visit Division of Forestry (ohiodnr.gov).
What you will do…
- Serve as Urban Forester & provide assistance necessary to develop long-term comprehensive tree care programs;
- Develop long term plan of action for community, administers Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree City USA program for Ohio;
- Represents the division & performs public relations duties;
- Assist in the division's mission to promote and apply management for the sustainable use and protection of Ohio’s private and public forest lands.
What’s in it for you…
At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:
Medical Coverage
- Quality, affordable, and competitive medical benefits are offered through the Ohio Med PPO plan.
Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance
- Dental, vision and basic life insurance premiums are free after one year of continuous service.
Time Away From Work and Work/Life Balance
- Paid time off, including vacation, personal, and sick leave
- 11 paid holidays per year
- Childbirth/Adoption leave
Ohio Public Employees Retirement System
- OPERS is the retirement system for State of Ohio employees. The employee contributes 10% of their salary towards their retirement. The employer contributes an amount equal to 14% of the employee’s salary. Visit the OPERS website for more information.
Deferred Compensation
- The Ohio Deferred Compensation program is a 457(b) voluntary retirement savings plan. Visit the Ohio Deferred Compensation website for more information.
Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a Model Employer of Individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.
We are ready for you!
We’re glad you’re interested in pursuing a rewarding career with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources! Exploring and protecting the natural beauty of Ohio will prove to be the most enjoyable career opportunity you will ever find!
Official Position Description:
Serves as Urban Forester & provides community leaders (e.g. township, municipal, county) with organizational assistance necessary to develop long-term comprehensive tree care programs, assess current urban forest resource & management capability; meets with municipal officials & involved residents to determine needs & level of commitment; facilitates public forum to determine community needs & desires; shares experience of other communities facing similar issues; recommends short & long-term solution to identified issues; promotes solution before leaders & residents (e.g. council, trustee & board meetings); assists in establishing & guiding shade tree advisory commissions; provides guidance in development of tree ordinances; identifies possible funding sources & appropriate staffing level within community administration; develops long term plan of action for community, administers Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree City USA program for Ohio.
Provides community leaders with technical assistance necessary to successfully implement urban forest management activities, promotes or conducts inventory of community resources to determine level of need; holds planting clinics; conducts tree maintenance seminars; responds to insect & disease inspection requests; develops planting & maintenance specifications; reviews landscape plans; recommends tree protection practices; advises on tree removal; administers community tree care grants (e.g., notifies communities of grant opportunities, provides guidance for grant implementation, communicates & facilitates difficulties or delays, inspects grants & evaluates community grant process); operates state vehicle to meet with governmental & civic groups & to attend various functions.
Represents Division of Forestry & performs public relations duties; promotes interest, activity & understanding in forest conservation & writes news articles; organizes &/or participates in field days & demonstrations; makes public appearances via radio, TV, & service groups; writes reports; composes correspondence; attends meetings with civic, professional, & governmental agencies; serves as local contact for Division of Forestry programs & responds to simple inquiries; works on special projects; hosts regional conferences; speaks at regional, state, or national conferences; provides field day presentations & career day presentations (e.g. schools & colleges); sets-up special meetings to resolve conflicts between public & private entities; evaluates urban forestry program for improvement; uses world-wide web to convey, enhance, & record information; performs wildfire support as directed within training & physical capabilities.
TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT REQUIRED TO REMAIN IN THE 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: safety practices (related to tree work, wildfire control/suppression, & Division of Forestry Health & Safety Manual*); public relations; agency policies & procedures (ODNR, local communities)*; government structure & process (state & local, federal); natural sciences (forestry); law (Ohio Revised Code 1503).
skilled in: word processing (Microsoft Office applications); equipment operations (personal computer, automobile, firefighting equipment, forestry tools).
ability to: interpret extensive variety of technical material in books, journals & manuals; calculate fractions, decimals & percentages; prepare & deliver speeches before specialized audiences & general public; gather, collate & classify information about data, people or things; resolve complaints from angry citizens & government officials; demonstrate physical fitness; define problems, collect data, establish facts & draw valid conclusions; originate &/or edit articles for publication; handle sensitive inquiries from & contacts with officials & general public.
*Developed after employment
Must maintain a current valid Driver’s License.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs, and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws. To request a reasonable accommodation due to a disability please contact Office of Human Resources at 614-265-6981 or hr@dnr.ohio.gov.
Effective July 1, 2015 applicants must apply online for positions at all state agencies except the Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD).
The final candidate selected for the position will be required to undergo a criminal background check. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position. An individual assessment of an applicant's prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.
STATUS OF POSTED POSITIONS: Applicants can view the status of this position by logging into their user profile on the Ohio Hiring Management System [OHMS] Home page at the following link careers.ohio.gov, and selecting "My Profile".
Background Check Information
Selection devices, proficiency testing and/or assessments may be used to determine if an applicant meets and is proficient in the minimum qualifications for this position.