What are the responsibilities and job description for the FORESTER position at City of Newport News?
JOB DE SCRIPTION FORESTER
WATERWORKS
Human Resources Department
700 Town Center Drive, Suite 200
Newport News, VA 23606
NEWPORT NEWS, VA Phone: (757) 926-1800
CITY OF OPPORTUNITY Fax: (757) 926-1825
GENERAL STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES
Under general supervision, this position performs natural resources and forestry work on City-
owned watershed properties. May serve as supervisor. Reports to the Chief of Forest Resources.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Collects timber stand data by identifying trees and plants; determines tree sizes, growth rates,
densities, soil types, forest history and other related data; maintains timber stand data using a
Geographic Information System database; conducts and coordinates reforestation and timber stand
improvement work. Prepares and monitors timber sales; identifies the type of harvest needed; marks
and creates a global position system map of timber sale boundaries; performs timber cruises to
determine timber volume; identifies and marks trees to be harvested. Writes harvest specifications;
inspects harvesting operations.
Develops forest management plans; performs GIS analysis on timber stand data. Develops
silviculture prescriptions for each timber stand; develops schedules for regeneration, site preparation,
harvesting, and timber stand improvement work. Provides recommendations to the Watershed
Management Planning Group.
Monitors forest health; manages exotic invasive plants; manages nuisance wildlife species; writes
reports and updates records as required. Conducts watershed and forest management tours and
presentations for various civic and school agencies. Serves as lead worker when providing direction
to personnel on specific forestry activities to include reforestation, timber stand improvement work
and herbicide application.
Performs other duties as assigned.
PERFORMANCE STANDARD
Employees at all levels are expected to effectively work together to meet the needs of the community
and the organization through work behaviors demonstrating the City’s Values. Employees are also
expected to lead by example and demonstrate the highest level of ethics.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE
- Forestry – Comprehensive knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations related to the
management of natural resources to include forest management principles, methods, and
techniques as related to maintaining watershed lands.
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- Critical Thinking – Using logic and reasoning to understand, analyze, and evaluate complex
situation and research information to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative
solutions, conclusions or approaches to the situation.
- Interpersonal Relationships – Develops and maintains cooperative and professional relationships
- Computer Skills – Utilizes a personal computer with word processing, spreadsheet, geographic
reasonable speed and accuracy.
- Time Management - Plans and organizes daily work routine. Estimates expected time of
work activities in accordance with priorities and estimated schedules.
- Communication – Ability to listen and understand directions, information and ideas presented
verbally and in writing. Ability to handle a variety of customer service issues with tact and
diplomacy in a confidential manner.
- Mathematics – Ability to perform arithmetic, algebraic, and statistical applications for use in
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Requires a Bachelor’s Degree from a Society of American Foresters (SAF) accredited program in
Forestry, Forest Management, Forest Ecology, or a related Forestry field and 3-5 years of related
experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
An acceptable general background check to include a local and state criminal history check; a valid
driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.
Requires satisfactory results from a pre-employment medical and audio evaluation.
Requires a Pesticide and Aquatic Pesticide Applicator’s license and First Aid/CPR/AED certification
within 6 months of employment
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Tasks require the regular and, at times, sustained performance of moderately physically
- Some combination of climbing and balancing to include climbing ladders, stooping, kneeling,
- May involve the lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling of moderately heavy objects and
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SENSORY REQUIREMENT
- Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shades of color, sounds,
- Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURES
Performance of essential functions may require exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such
as dirt, dust, pollen, fumes, smoke, temperature, weather and noise extremes, hazardous materials,
fire, machinery, vibrations, traffic hazards, bright/dim lights, or animal/wildlife attacks.
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