Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation's mission is to help ensure that Montana's land and water resources provide benefits for present and future generations. TheDNRCbelieves employees are their most important asset. The DNRC empowers employees to exercise professional judgment in carrying out their duties. Employees are provided with the training and tools necessary to achieve the mission. Both team effort and individual employee expertise are supported and sustained. Work Unit Overview: * The Southwestern Land Office (SWLO), together with four (4) field offices, represents the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) in the geographic areas of or portions of Missoula, Mineral, Powell, Lewis and Clark, Ravalli, Granite, Deer Lodge, and Silver Bow counties. The offices implement and administer department programs for the Forestry and Trust Lands divisions. The Department’s mission is to help ensure that state and private lands and water resources provide benefits for present and future generations. This is done by managing natural resources to produce income for various trust accounts; implementing and enforcing Agency programs and state laws, rules, and policies; protecting property, resources, and land from destruction from wildland fires; and providing needed services to the general public. *Job Overview: This position performs professional forest improvement and forest management activi-ties under the general supervision of the Missoula Unit Forest Management Supervisor. The incumbent plans, coordinates and implements projects necessary to oversee forest improvement treatments on trust parcels including thinning, timber stand improvement, site preparation, prescribed burning, hazard and fuels reductions, forest regeneration projects, and weed management. The incumbent may be required to assist in projects on trust lands to sell timber, assist in road maintenance needs and other related activities. The incumbent may also be required to assist in prescribed fire treatments. These forest improvement and forest management activities will occur on the Missoula, Clearwater, Hamilton, and Anaconda units. The incumbent may be tasked with supervising a seasonal forest technician(s) to accomplish field work. Essential Functions (Major Duties or Responsibilities): These job functions are the essential duties of the position and are not all-inclusive of all the duties that may be assigned to the incumbent. A. Forest Improvement Projects (70% of time) Plan, coordinate and implement forest improvement activities on state endowment trust lands to provide for the sustainable use of the land and associated resources, and to ensure adherence to state and federal laws and regulations. 1. Coordinate, design, and plan forest improvement projects to include thinning, timber stand improvement, hazard and fuels reduction, and weed control. 2. Establish and mark project boundaries. 3. Design and implement forest improvement timber cruises. 4. Assist in forest improvement project contract preparation. 5. Implement forest improvement projects by administering contracts. 6. Assist in implementing prescribed fire projects. 7. Conduct field work to verify and update inventory and treatment records. 8. Assist in forest regeneration projects to include planting contract administration. 9. Implement the habitat conservation plan and ensure compliance with silvicultural prescriptions. 10. Work within assigned allocation of budget and capital while ensuring goals are met. 11. Perform activities in wildland fire management that relate to the responsibilities of the NWLO. B. Other Duties as Assigned (20% of time) This position performs a variety of other duties in support of ongoing Division and Department operations including assisting with initial attack and other fire suppression, assisting in timber sale field preparation, road design, road layout and road maintenance and other forestry related activities. C. Supervision (10% of time) This position may supervise 1-2 seasonal forest technicians to accomplish field work and include assisting the NWLO Area Forester in hiring the seasonal technicians, tracking and approving time worked, technician work planning and scheduling, and mentoring. What are some benefits you can expect? * Health Insurance * Retirement * Paid Vacation, Sick Leave and Holidays Application Materials Required for this Position Are: * Application * Resume * Cover Letter Special Information: Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States. A valid driver's license is required with less than 12 conviction points in the most recent completed 36 months. Special Requirements: An essential function of the position is the ability to pass an arduous pack test as well as be capable of vigorous physical activity in all types of weather. The position requires working alone in the field, including winter conditions (using tire chains) and navigating with a map and compass. Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience): The required knowledge, skills and abilities are typically acquired through a Associate’s degree in Forest Management or a related resource management field and one year of job-related professional field experience. Alternative combinations of education and experience that meet the required skills and abilities listed may be considered. Required knowledge, skills, and abilities: * The position requires knowledge of forest management principles and practices; equipment and techniques used in forest management projects and operations; forest practices and hazard reduction laws, Administrative Rules, standards, guidelines, policies and procedures related to forest management operations and activities; and familiarity of the Montana Environmental Policy Act and related laws and rules governing natural resource management. Knowledge of the terminology, principles, methods and approaches used in silviculture, ecology, hydrology, wildlife and fisheries biology. Specific knowledge of plant taxonomy, insects & disease, habitat typing, timber cruising, log scaling, harvesting systems, data collection and sampling techniques; road design and layout; fire behavior, fire suppression techniques, land surveying and timber appraisal procedures. The position also requires knowledge of DNRC and State Personnel policies, procedures, precedents, organizational structures, employment law conflict resolution and program requirements. The position requires skill in the use and operation of tools, equipment and vehicles used in wildland fire control, forest management activities and field office operations; operation of 4-wheel drive vehicles, ATVs/UTVs and skill in the use of computer hardware and software related to forest management business operations (word processing, spreadsheets, internet, e-mail and smart devices) and specialized resource management software. The position requires the ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing to individuals, groups and representatives from other organizations; the ability to coordinate and direct multiple resources to complete work objectives, work on multiple projects simultaneously; work well with others and maintain a positive working environment. The position often works independently and requires critical thinking skills as they work in remote work conditions and may encounter various hazards throughout a typical workday including wildlife, road conditions, hazardous terrain and encounters with the public in various high-tension settings that may require de-escalation and conflict resolution. Title: *Forester 1 - Forest Improvement Forester Location: Missoula Requisition ID: 24140285