DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND FIRE MANAGEMENT

Manage and reduce fire risk to protect Arizona’s people, communities, and wildland areas to champion the health of Arizona’s natural resources. The Department of Forestry and Fire Management provides services through strategic implementation of cooperative natural resources and fire assistance programs, development and support of statewide fire policies, and coordination of resources across all-lands and jurisdictions.

ASSISTANT DISTRICT FORESTER

Job Location:

Address:

610 AZ-260

Payson, AZ 85541

Posting Details:

Salary: $22.8671 – $33.6538

Grade: 22

Closing Date: Open until filled.

Job Summary:

This position assists the District Forester in developing and leading the district wide program of work that includes but is not limited to wildfire mitigation, forest health improvement, and watershed restoration projects on state, federal, and private land. At the direction of the District Forester, the incumbent shall manage a group of forestry technicians and provide technical assistance to foresters to ensure the quality of planning, implementation, and monitoring across the district.

Job Duties:

• Assist and support the District Forester in providing leadership to the district staff. Interface and facilitate relationships with stakeholders and government entities. Serve as a member of the project management team. Coordinate with district fire staff, functional leads, and other programs. Assist in the development and implementation of guidelines and policy.
• Supervise forestry technicians and provide oversight and guidance to foresters. Assign and monitor tasks, ensure quality of products, and provide feedback. Procure equipment and coordinate with fleet and cache staff. Provide training and evaluate performance. Develop district safety culture.
• Assist with prescription development, operations management, monitoring plan development, facilitating a safe work environment, and other tasks needed to coordinate the district program of work.
• Prescribe and manage silvicultural activities including but not limited to timber sale administration, timber stand improvement, and herbicide application. Draft and approve documents for planning, implementation, and monitoring of projects.
• Assist the District Forester in developing the program of work, setting district goals, and allocating resources. Provide technical support to organizations and the public. Work with compliance and planning staff to coordinate landscape level needs. Oversee and implement compliance activities.
• Assist the District Forester in managing district finances. Support budget and accomplishment tracking and reporting.
• Drive on State business
• Other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of:

• Federal, state, and private land management practices.
• Relevant laws and regulations governing natural resource management.
• Leadership and management principles.
• Financial management and accomplishment reporting.
• Safety guidelines and how to facilitate safety culture.
• Stakeholder engagement and relationship building.

Skills in:

• Fostering social connections.
• Communication, both written and verbal.
• Software related to natural resource management including GIS, Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and Adobe.
• Contract development, interpretation, and implementation.
• Prioritization, accomplishment of targets, and problem solving,

Ability to:

• Facilitate relationships and work collaboratively with project management teams, including fire and forestry staff, and external cooperators.
• Effectively manage multiple projects, varying priorities, and district resources.
• Review reports, contracts, agreements, and other technical documentation.
• Assist with financial and accomplishment reporting.
• Develop, train, and evaluate staff performance.
• Assist with staff development and training.
• Drive on State business.

Selective Preference(s):

Bachelor’s or graduate degree in forestry or a related field. 3+ years in forestry or similar natural resource management positions. 1+ years of supervisory experience, preferably in a forestry or similar natural resource management context. Relevant licenses and certifications including but not limited to timber cruising certifications, herbicide applicator licenses, and GIS certifications.

Pre-Employment Requirements:

A valid Arizona Driver’s License.

Any employee operating a motor vehicle on State business must possess and retain a current, valid class-appropriate driver’s license, complete all required training, and successfully pass all necessary driver’s license record checks. The license must be current, unexpired, and neither revoked nor suspended. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver’s license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records, and must complete all required driver training. An employee who operates a personally owned vehicle on state business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance (see Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) R2-10-207.11).

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

Benefits:

The Arizona Department of Administration offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:

Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans

Top-ranked retirement and long-term disability plans

10 paid holidays per year

Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program, learn more at hr.az.gov/family-leave-expansion).

Vacation time accrued at 4.00 hours bi-weekly for the first 3 years

Sick time accrued at 3.70 hours bi-weekly

Deferred compensation plan

Wellness plans

Tuition reimbursement eligible after one year of employment

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Retirement:

Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS).

Please note, enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment.

Contact Us:

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Morgan Lee at mlee@dffm.az.gov for assistance.

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by calling (602) 771-1457. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.

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