Forest Health Monitoring Coordinator/Specialist

The Forest Health Monitoring Specialist is responsible for organizing and overseeing 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 health in North Carolina. The Specialist oversees ground and aerial surveys for forest health issues and maintains the mapping technology associated with surveying activities. The position coordinates information and education activities of the forest health unit including determining need and producing appropriate news releases, publications and educational outreach materials. In addition, the FHM Specialist conducts internal trainings and external workshops related to forest health 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 field and lab support to forest health and other personnel statewide in identification and management of forest insects, diseases, non-native invasive plants, and abiotic forest health threats on state and private lands.