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Service Forester

Service Forester

State of South DakotaRapid City, SD, US
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Overview

Join to apply for the Service Forester role at State of South Dakota

Job ID : 32795

Agency : Agriculture & Natural Resources

Location : Rapid City or Hot Springs, SD

Salary : $24.12 / hr

Pay Grade : H

Closing Date : 10 / 08 / 2025

This position will work with DANR's Good Neighbor Authority (GNA) projects throughout the Black Hills of South Dakota. The goal of the GNA Program is to accelerate the pace, scale, and quality of forest restoration to increase the resilience of South Dakota's forests. The GNA Forester works with their federal counterparts to develop agreements and / or contracts that lead to completion of projects as outlined in the GNA agreements. They will be responsible for reviewing, planning and implementing forest and watershed restoration activities, through the use of service contracts and timber sale contracts. This position will work with forest contractors and purchasers to accomplish GNA work that adheres to National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements. The forester will consider ground-based logging feasibility and resource protection measures, such as best management practices when performing layout activities. Additional duties potentially include forest management assistance, coordinate, and administer forestry activities and programs with individual landowners, city or county governments or agencies, and conservation districts; provide technical assistance; write forest stewardship plans; provide educational information to ensure effective conservation practices related to trees, forests, tree insect and disease identification and management, and the protection of the state's resources.

Work Schedule : Day travel is frequent, and overnight trips will average about 2-3 nights per month. Normal work hours will be 8 : 00 a.m. to 5 : 00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Job Duties

  • Timber Sale and Service Work Preparation and Layout – field reconnaissance, boundary positioning and marking, identification of and documentation of resources present.
  • Timber marking.
  • Draft and implement a timber cruise plan.
  • Conduct timber appraisals.
  • Identify appropriate harvest operations and systems, create logging plans.
  • Road layout and assessment of road condition and maintenance needs, new road construction and improvement needs including layout and marking in the field.
  • Review stream layers, stream buffers, stream classification, road layers and other environmental concerns in ArcGIS software.

Contract Preparation and Administration

  • Prepares timber and service work contracts.
  • Conduct pre-operations meetings with Purchaser to clarify expectations and review contract requirements.
  • Understands and adheres to NEPA requirements and mitigation measures when preparing timber sale contracts. Ensures contractor / operators adhere to the provisions of the timber sale contract.
  • Track volumes harvested and enter required information into tracking databases to ensure billing is timely and accurate.
  • Conduct periodic checks on accomplished work to ensure the prescription and contract requirements are being adhered to.

    • Qualifications

    The ideal candidate will have formal education or experience in forestry or a related natural resource profession, with ability to coordinate with diverse forestry interests, federal agencies, industry representatives, the public, and state officials. The candidate should be adaptable to changing priorities, able to explain complex forestry concepts in clear terms, and capable of working under general supervision. Proficiency with computers and geographic information systems (ArcPro) is required, and the candidate must be able to operate a four-wheel drive vehicle on primitive roads.

    Knowledge Of

  • dendrology, arboriculture; biology; biometrics and botany; forest ecology, mensuration; forest entomology and forest pathology; GIS (ArcPro, field maps); horticulture, hydrology, plant physiology, silviculture; range and timber management; National Environmental Policy Act; forest fire management, forest insects and diseases, tree biology, forest economics, forest planning; project design and management, urban forestry, agroforestry, and forest certification programs.

    • Skills

  • use a variety of forestry tools and equipment;
  • use clinometers, diameter tapes, prisms, increment borers, data recorders, hypsometers, GPS to collect data; interpret these data.

    • Abilities

  • work productively in a remote field location with limited supervision;
  • prioritize work to complete all tasks on time;
  • drive a 4-wheel drive truck in various conditions;
  • use forestry measuring tools and map data;
  • conduct literature and technical reference searches; conduct soil survey research;
  • use and interpret topographic maps;
  • use Microsoft Office and digital mapping software;
  • write professional and technical reports for varied audiences;
  • deal tactfully with others; communicate effectively orally and in writing;
  • work independently or in teams; establish and maintain working relationships; keep records.

    • Additional Requirements

    To be considered, please attach your resume. This position is eligible for Veterans' Preference per ARSD 55 : 10 : 02 : 08. NCRC : If you possess a National Career Readiness Certificate, please submit the certificate with your application. A certificate is not necessary to be considered. The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas. All hires must verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an E-Verify process.

    The State of South Dakota offers health insurance options, paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, dental, vision, and retirement benefits. Must apply online : https : / / gen-stateofsouthdako-trn.inforcloudsuite.com / hcm / xmlhttp / shorturl.do?key=2CD. Emailed resumes 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

    J-18808-Ljbffr

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    Service • Rapid City, SD, US