Forest Health Monitoring Coordinator

The Forest Health Monitoring Specialist is responsible for organizing and supervising the statewide Forest Health Monitoring (FHM) program, with an emphasis on detecting and reporting outbreaks of forest insects, diseases and other destructive events according to state and federal guidelines, and is the primary resource for education, information, and publications concerned with forest pest management. The Specialist oversees ground and aerial surveys for forest threats and keeps surveyors up to date with digital sketch-mapping technology. The position coordinates information and education activities of the forest health unit including determining need and producing appropriate publications and education outreach materials. In addition, the FHM Specialist conducts internal trainings and external workshops related to pest identification and control for agency staff and other forestry professionals. In coordination with universities and other agencies, the position may conduct research applicable to understanding threats to North Carolina’s forest resources, to determine the extent and severity of these threats as they impact the state, and to develop measures for agencies and landowners to control these threats on state and private lands. The position provides technical support to forest health and field personnel statewide in identification and management of forest insects, diseases, non-native invasive plants, and abiotic forest health threats on state and private lands.