Forester

THE POSITION Are you looking for an opportunity to be part of a team that is dedicated to conserving the forests in Pennsylvania? The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) is seeking a skilled Forester. In this essential role, you will provide expert forest management support, with a focus on both sustainable forest management practices and forest wildfire management initiatives. If you are ready to apply your forestry expertise in a dynamic, mission-driven environment, we encourage you to apply today and explore the rewarding career opportunities available with the Commonwealth! Watch this video to see how you can make a difference by working for the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. Utilize your expertise and training in forestry and join our team of dedicated professionals. DESCRIPTION OF WORK In this position, you will be responsible for performing professional forestry work at Fort Indiantown Gap (FIG), located about 22 miles northeast of Harrisburg, PA. As part of a collaborative team, you will help plan, develop, and implement programs focused on the management, protection, and conservation of forest resources at FIG. Your duties will encompass a wide range of responsibilities, including forest management, timber management, forest protection, wood utilization, resource planning, and wildland fire management. You will apply a blend of biological, physical, quantitative, managerial, economic, social, and policy principles to promote forest regeneration, manage resources, and ensure the sustainable use and conservation of forest areas. Your work will support military training objectives while maintaining the forest's long-term productivity. Additionally, you will be involved in mitigating threats to the forest, including damage from wildlife, unauthorized fires, invasive species, disease, insect infestations, and climate-related factors. You will also assist with wildfire suppression and prescribed fire operations. Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description. Work Schedule and Additional Information: * Full-time employment * Work hours are 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch. * Weekend fire duty and weekday fire duties may require longer hours or altered work schedules during the fire season. * Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Annville. * Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable. * You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices. REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY QUALIFICATIONS Minimum Experience and Training Requirements: * Two years of technical forestry experience, and an associate's degree in forest technology, forestry, forest management, forest ecosystem management, urban forestry, forest science, agroforestry, or a related forestry degree; or * A bachelor's degree in forest technology, forestry, forest management, forest ecosystem management, urban forestry, forest science, agroforestry, or a related forestry degree; or * A master's degree in forest technology, forestry, forest management, forest ecosystem management, urban forestry, forest science, agroforestry, or a related forestry degree. * Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree. Special Requirement: * This position requires possession of a valid PA non- commercial Class C driver's license or equivalent. Other Requirements: * PA residency requirement is currently waived for this title. * You must be able to perform essential job functions. Legal Requirements: * A conditional offer of employment will require submission of criminal history reports. See hiring agency contact information. How to Apply: * Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education). * If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. * Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted. * Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position. Veterans: * Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to and click the Veterans' Preference tab or contact us at . Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS): * 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals). If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date. The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply. EXAMINATION INFORMATION * Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam). * Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions. * Your score is valid for this specific posting only. * You must provide complete and accurate information or: * your score may be lower than deserved. * you may be disqualified. You may only apply/test once for this posting.Your results will be provided via email. Learn more about our Total Rewards by watching this short video! See the total value of your benefits package by exploring our benefits calculator. Health & Wellness We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.* Compensation & Financial Planning We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options. Work/Life Balance We know there's more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, eight weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.* Values and Culture We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving. Employee Perks Sometimes, it is the little "extras" that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships. For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visit and click on the benefits box. * Eligibility rules apply. 01 Do you possess a current driver's license which is not under suspension? * Yes * No 02 If you answered "Yes" to the above question, please provide the issuing state, expiration date, and the license number. If you do not have a valid driver's license, please type N/A in the text box below. 03 Do you possess two or more years of full-time technical forestry experience? * Yes * No 04 If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below. 05 Do you possess a conferred associate's degree in forest technology, forestry, forest management, forest ecosystem management, urban forestry, forest science, agroforestry, or a related forestry degree? If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted. If you answer "Yes" to this question based on education acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting clicking the Evaluation Services link. For more information on foreign education credentials, please visit and click on Other Information. * Yes * No 06 If you do not have a conferred associate's degree, on what date do you expect to receive your degree? Type N/A in the text box if this does not apply. 07 Do you possess a conferred bachelor's degree or higher or are you within 3 months of completing a bachelor's degree or higher in forest technology, forestry, forest management, forest ecosystem management, urban forestry, forest science, agroforestry, or a related forestry degree? If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted. If you answer "Yes" to this question based on education acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting clicking the Evaluation Services link. For more information on foreign education credentials, please visit and click on Other Information. * Yes * No 08 If you do not have a conferred bachelor's degree or higher, on what date do you expect to receive your degree? Type N/A in the text box if this does not apply. 09 You must complete the supplemental questions below. These supplemental questions are the exam and will be scored. They are designed to give you the opportunity to relate your experience and training background to the major activities (Work Behaviors) performed in this position. Failure to provide complete and accurate information may delay the processing of your application, or result in a lower-than-deserved score or disqualification. You must complete the application and answer the supplemental questions. Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position or to determine your score. All information you provide on your application and supplemental questions is subject to verification. Any misrepresentation, falsification or omission of material facts is subject to penalty. If requested, you must provide documentation, including names, addresses, and telephone numbers of individuals who can verify the validity of the information you provide in the application and supplemental questions. Read each work behavior carefully. Determine and select which "Level of Performance" most closely represents your highest level of experience/training. List the employer(s)/training source(s) from your Work or Education sections of the application where you gained this experience/training. The "Level of Performance" you choose for each work behavior must be clearly supported within the description of the experience and training information entered in your application or your score may be lowered. In order to receive credit for experience, you must have worked in a job for at least six months in which the experience claimed was a major function. If you have read and understand these instructions, please click on the "Yes" button and proceed to the exam questions. If you have general questions regarding the application and hiring process, please refer to our FAQ page. * Yes 10 WORK BEHAVIOR 1 - SELECTS SITE AND DETERMINES TREATMENT Selects a site and determines what treatment will be employed by reviewing forest management plans, topographical maps, aerial photographs, criteria determined by the U.S. Forest Service and judgments of other foresters and supervisors in order to implement a particular treatment such as logging, thinning, clear cutting, spraying for insects, etc. Levels of Performance Select the "Level of Performance" which best describes your claim. * A. I have experience independently, or as the leader of a team, selecting a site and determining what treatment will be employed by reviewing forest management plans, topographical maps, aerial photographs, criteria determined by the U.S. Forest Service and judgments of other foresters and supervisors in order to implement a particular treatment such as logging, thinning, clear cutting, spraying for insects, etc. * B. I have experience as a member of a team selecting a site and determining what treatment will be employed by reviewing forest management plans, topographical maps, aerial photographs, criteria determined by the U.S. Forest Service and judgments of other foresters and supervisors in order to implement a particular treatment such as logging, thinning, clear cutting, spraying for insects, etc.; OR I have completed a paid internship in the area of forestry where my duties included selecting a site and determining what treatment will be employed. * C. I have successfully completed college-level coursework related to this work behavior. * D. I have NO experience or training related to this work behavior. 11 In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed on this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you claimed you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below. * The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience or completed your internship. * The method(s) you used to determine appropriate forestry treatment(s). * The type(s) of forestry treatment(s) you utilized. * Your level of responsibility. 12 If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to college coursework, please provide your responses to the items listed below. If you indicated you have no education/training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below. * College/University * Course Title(s) * Credits/Clock Hours 13 WORK BEHAVIOR 2 - SURVEYS SITES Surveys a site using a compass, GPS, GIS, and various surveyors' equipment, paints boundary lines, calculates total acreage and breaks down total area into smaller plots if necessary; cruises area to gather data such as species of trees, number of logs, diameter of trees, basal area, etc.; flags site and marks reserve trees; computes volumes and/or value of trees using set criteria and formulas by species, grade and type (saw timber, pole timer, cord wood, pulp wood) by board feet, cords, tons and/or dollar value and enters data on a tally sheet. Levels of Performance Select the "Level of Performance" which best describes your claim. * A. I have experience independently, or as the leader of a team, surveying a site using a compass, GPS, GIS, and various surveyors' equipment, painting boundary lines, calculating total acreage and breaking down total area into smaller plots if necessary; cruising area to gather data such as species of trees, number of logs, diameter of trees, basal area, etc.; flagging site and marking reserve trees; computing volumes and/or value of trees using set criteria and formulas by species, grade and type (saw timber, pole timer, cord wood, pulp wood) by board feet, cords, tons and/or dollar value and entering data on a tally sheet. * B. I have experience as a member of a team surveying a site using a compass, GPS, GIS, and various surveyors' equipment, painting boundary lines, calculating total acreage and breaking down total area into smaller plots if necessary; cruising area to gather data such as species of trees, number of logs, diameter of trees, basal area, etc.; flagging site and marking reserve trees; computing volumes and/or value of trees using set criteria and formulas by species, grade and type (saw timber, pole timer, cord wood, pulp wood) by board feet, cords, tons and/or dollar value and entering data on a tally sheet; OR I have completed a paid internship in the area of forestry where my duties included the above work duties. * C. I have successfully completed college-level coursework related to this work behavior. * D. I have NO experience or training related to this work behavior. 14 In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed on this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you claimed you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below. * The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience or completed your internship. * Your experience surveying sites. * Your experience gathering forestry data. * Your experience performing calculations and computations. * Your level of responsibility. 15 If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to college coursework, please provide your responses to the items listed below. If you indicated you have no education/training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below. * College/University * Course Title(s) * Credits/Clock Hours 16 WORK BEHAVIOR 3 - DEVELOPS FOREST MANAGEMENT PLANS AND COMPILES AND UPDATES FIELD DATA Develops forest management plans and compiles and updates field data for a forest management plan using various plots by reviewing current forest management plans, topographical maps and taking and reviewing aerial photos and stand analyses, discussing all data with other foresters and supervisors and writing up a forest management plan in prescribed report form. Levels of Performance Select the "Level of Performance" which best describes your claim. * A. I have experience developing forest management plans and compiling and updating field data for a forest management plan using various plots by reviewing current forest management plans, topographical maps and taking and reviewing aerial photos and stand analyses, discussing all data with other foresters and supervisors and writing up a forest management plan in prescribed report form. * B. I have experience compiling AND updating field data for a forest management plan using various plots by reviewing current forest management plans, topographical maps and taking and reviewing aerial photos and stand analyses, discussing all data with other foresters and supervisors and writing up a forest management plan in prescribed report form; OR I have completed a paid internship in the area of forestry where my duties included compiling and updating field data for a forest management plan. * C. I have experience compiling OR updating field data for a forest management plan using various plots by reviewing current forest management plans, topographical maps and taking and reviewing aerial photos and stand analyses, discussing all data with other foresters and supervisors and writing up a forest management plan in prescribed report form. * D. I have successfully completed college coursework related to this work behavior. * E. I have NO experience or training related to this work behavior. 17 In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed on this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you claimed you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below. * The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience or completed your internship. * Your experience developing forest management plans. * Your experience compiling or updating forestry field data. * Your specific duties and responsibilities. 18 If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to college coursework, please provide your responses to the items listed below. If you indicated you have no education/training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below. * College/University * Course Title(s) * Credits/Clock Hours 19 WORK BEHAVIOR 4 - COMMUNICATION Communicates orally and in writing with other employees, various governmental groups, civil groups, school groups, landowners and the general public in order to answer questions, give advice and disseminate information related to forest management, timber stand improvement, insect and disease control, proper type, planting and pruning of trees in urban areas, growth and life cycle of trees, etc. Levels of Performance Select the "Level of Performance" which best describes your claim. * A. I have experience communicating orally AND in writing with other employees, various governmental groups, civil groups, school groups, landowners and the general public in order to answer questions, give advice and disseminate information related to forest management, timber stand improvement, insect and disease control, proper type, planting and pruning of trees in urban areas, growth and life cycle of trees, etc. * B. I have experience communicating orally OR in writing with other employees, various governmental groups, civil groups, school groups, landowners and the general public in order to answer questions, give advice and disseminate information related to forest management, timber stand improvement, insect and disease control, proper type, planting and pruning of trees in urban areas, growth and life cycle of trees, etc. * C. I have experience communicating orally and in writing with other employees, various governmental groups, civil groups, school groups, landowners and the general public in order to answer questions, give advice and disseminate information on non-forestry topics. * D. I have successfully completed college-level coursework related to technical writing, public speaking, oral communication, or train-the-trainer. * E. I have NO experience or training related to this work behavior. 20 In the text box below, please your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed on this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you claimed you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below. * The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience. * The method(s) of communication you used to answer questions, give advice, and disseminate information. * The topic(s) about which you answered questions, gave advice, and disseminated information. * Your actual duties and responsibilities. 21 If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to college coursework, please provide your responses to the items listed below. If you indicated you have no education/training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below. * College/University * Course Title(s) * Credits/Clock Hours Required Question Agency Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Address 613 North Street Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 17120 Website

Created: 2024-11-14