• Job Description

  Req#: 699677
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  The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) manages one of the largest and most diverse state parks systems in the nation and protects and enhances natural resources and outdoor recreational opportunities throughout Massachusetts. DCR is a large agency made up of several Divisions. The Division of Water Supply Protection (DWSP) is a section of DCR who’s primary mission is to provide pure water through responsible watershed management. DWSP manages and protects 140,000-acres of watershed lands and reservoirs that provide a natural forest filter and some of the nation’s highest quality drinking water to approximately 3 million residents of Massachusetts.

  The DWSP Natural Resources Section is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Forester II. The Forester II will plan, coordinate, oversee, and implement activities related to long-term forest resilience and stewardship such as terrestrial invasive and interfering plant management, Forest Stand Improvements (FSI), and vegetation monitoring on all DCR – DWSP lands in the Quabbin Reservoir, Ware River, Wachusett Reservoir, and Sudbury Reservoir Watersheds to maintain the productive capacity of these watershed lands and to protect water and ecological resources.

  Duties include:

  1) Vegetation Management: Coordinate invasive species and other vegetation management activities on the Division of Watershed Management lands by planning, designing and implementing, directly or through contracts, practices that maintain and/or improve the health and diversity of the forest and other non-forest habitats.

  2) Forest Stand Improvement: Under the direction of NR and Forestry staff, plan and implement Forest Stand Improvement (FSI) activities that encourage the establishment and competitive success of desirable native tree species.

  3) Vegetation Monitoring: Assist Regional Forestry and Natural Resource Section staff with inventories of various types of forest data and the required mapping involved to ascertain and document both existing and changing conditions and silvicultural needs of the forest.

  4) Assist in the review of annual or periodic forest management proposals and participate in forest and wildlife habitat stewardship decisions involving the Division’s watershed lands.

  5) Accrue relevant Continuing Education credits sufficient to maintain both a Massachusetts Forester License and Massachusetts Pesticide Applicators License, by attending seminars, workshops, conferences, symposia, webcasts, etc., or by other means as defined by the licensing regulations.

  6) Assist DWSP Foresters as needed in maintaining and reestablishing boundaries where necessary, by walking, painting, brushing-out, and by affixing DCR ownership tags at all corners and along property lines, roadways, and streams to prevent misunderstandings or doubts as to the ownership of lands encompassed by the Division.

  7) Assist staff from DWSP and other agencies with the implementation of a prescribed fire program on state lands as part of a multi-agency partnership.

  8) Collaborate with staff to coordinate outreach such as public forestry tours, colleague site visits, public presentations, social media/website updates.

  QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED AT HIRE Considerable knowledge of forests and forest management i.e.; tree and plant ID- including invasive species, silviculture, silvics, mensuration, forest soils, inventory systems, dendrology, forest pathology and entomology. Experience or considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of vegetation management and terrestrial invasive species control. Knowledge of the principles and practices of supervision. Ability to plan, supervise, and coordinate contracted and in-house invasive plant management work. Ability to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with fellow employees, contractors and others. Ability to speak and write clearly and to communicate effectively with other employees and general public. Ability to read, understand and interpret, and apply technical literature and regulations as they apply to forest and watershed management and invasive plant control. Ability to work outdoors all year round, under all varieties of weather conditions. Ability to operate and maintain vehicles, tools, machinery, and equipment used in forestry and invasive plant control activities. Working knowledge of the suppression and control of forest fires. Ability to use GIS software on multiple platforms (desktop, online, and mobile) for data collection, analysis, and map production LICENSE AND/OR CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS Valid Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Class D Operator’s License PREFERRED LICENSE OR LICENSE ACQUIRED ON THE JOB Valid Massachusetts Forester License (M.G.L. Ch. 132 Section 47-50) Valid Massachusetts Core Pesticide Applicator’s License

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  First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.
  
  Minimum Entrance Requirements:
  
  Applicants must have at least (A) three years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, technical or professional experience in the field of forest resource management, of which (B) at least one year must have been in a professional capacity, or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.
  
  Substitutions:
  
  I. An Associate's degree with a major in forest resource management may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required (A) experience.*
  
  II. A Bachelor's or higher degree with a major in forest resource management may be substituted for a maximum of two years of the required (A) experience.*
  
  III. A Graduate degree with a major in forest resource management may be substituted for the required experience *
  
  *Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.
  
  Special Requirements: Possession of a current and valid Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Operator's License.

  Comprehensive Benefits

  When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

  Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

  An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

  The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.

• About the company

  Official website of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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