Environmental Studies
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Environmental Studies
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The Nature Conservancy Saving the Last Great Places
JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE: FOREST PROTECTION SPECIALIST JOB FAMILY: Conservation - Field JOB NUMBER: 8024 SUPERVISOR: Director, Piedmont Program LOCATION: Charlottesville, VA FLSA STATUS: Exempt DATE: October 2, 2004
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Responsible for assisting in refining and implementing a comprehensive program to protect natural forest communities and associated species by contacting and negotiating with property owners to apply a full range of conservation tools, including timber management easements. Review and approve forest management plans and pre-harvest timber plans, in accordance with timber management easements and agreements negotiated with landowners. Develop and complete project packages, conducting hazardous waste assessments and other tasks necessary to finalize projects. Work collaboratively with other protection staff, legal staff, landowners, corporations, and government agencies. May supervise interns or volunteers.
KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS: · Bachelor’s degree in forestry, natural resources management, biology, ecology, or related field and a minimum of three years related work experience in forest management with an emphasis on applied hardwood silviculture. · Experience working with, or knowledge of, natural systems, and the ability to identify plant and animal species in the Piedmont region as required to conduct forest management activities. · Ability to use ordinary field equipment such as GPS, compass, diameter tape, quadrats, densitometer, tape measure, and range finder. · Computer literacy including database management skills and GIS in order to maintain forest management records. · Experience supervising volunteers and short term employees in the completion of tasks. · Experience writing and reviewing forest management plans and overseeing timber sales. · Ability to perform physical work, sometimes under adverse conditions or in inclement weather. · Negotiation skills and the ability to simultaneously manage multiple priorities and work under pressure with flexibility.
COMPLEXITY/PROBLEM SOLVING: · Resolves forest management problems independently as delegated. · Ability to prioritize tasks and develop timelines for project completion. · Monitor the progress of work groups toward achieving forest management goals. · Ability to deal with most issues arising from contractor errors, misunderstandings, or problems.
DISCRETION/LATITUDE/DECISION-MAKING: · Make day-to-day decisions affecting individual work and work of project teams. · Duties are performed under minimal supervision. Consults with supervisor in event of any unusual circumstance, problem or question that falls outside of general forest management realm. · Exercise independent judgment. Work affords significant opportunity to act independently on acquisitions and make decisions within tight timeframes and under pressure.
RESPONSIBILITY/OVERSIGHT –FINANCIAL & SUPERVISORY: · May supervise consultants and other contractors, interns, and volunteers. · Plan and direct forest management work groups, including other staff or volunteers. · Purchase equipment and supplies as provided for in budget, in consultation with supervisor, monitoring annual budget as needed to ensure appropriate spending limits.
COMMUNICATIONS/INTERPERSONAL CONTACTS: · Ability to communicate work instructions to other forest management team members, including volunteers. · Ability to function productively as a member or leader of a work team. · Ability to effectively communicate Conservancy mission and goals to neighboring land owners and community members. · Ability to communicate effectively in writing.
WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL EFFORT: · Willingness to work long hours in an isolated setting. · Ability to perform tasks requiring physical exertion, outdoors, in all weather conditions and on difficult and sometimes hazardous terrain. · Work requires extreme physical exertion and/or physical strain to the point of physical fatigue. Work environment involves exposure to job hazards where there is a high possibility of injury. The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer CONTACT: No phone calls, please. Send cover letter stating salary requirements and resume to:
Forest Protection Specialist Piedmont Program The Nature Conservancy 490 Westfield Road Charlottesville, VA 22901 |
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