Forestry Specialist

Position Overview:

The candidate will provide technical support to the Natural Resources Conservation and Endangered Species Act compliance programs at Fort Jackson to include forestry, wildland fire, endangered species conservation, and other wildlife management.

The candidate will preferably have completed NWCG S130/S190 wildland fire training and have experience with wildland fire.

Primary job duties include: 

30% - Timber Marking

• Marking annual timber harvests as prescribed for multiple objectives.
• Painting boundaries and collecting GPS data for the creation of harvest maps.

30% - Prescribed Fire

• Preparing burn areas and equipment for prescribed fire.
• Assisting with the ignition and mop-up of prescribed fire to acreage identified in the annual prescribed fire plan at Fort Jackson, SC.
• Completes post-burn evaluations and collection of fire weather data necessary for reporting requirements.

25% - Timber Inventory

• Conducting pre and post timber harvest inventory.
• Managing data on inventory software for desktop and mobile device for field collection.

15% - Other Duties as Assigned

• Assisting with wildlife management practices including prepping and planting food plot fields, inventorying and maintaining RCW clusters and migratory bird boxes, and conducting other wildlife surveys.

Candidate must be able to perform physical tasks such as walking while carrying at least 20 lbs for extended periods of time. Candidate should also be capable of lifting and carrying 50 lbs for a short duration. Environment requires working in dense vegetation and in hot, humid weather, raking RCW cavity trees, preparing areas for prescribed burns, and conducting prescribed burns. 

Qualifications:

• College Degree in Forestry or related discipline. 
• Ability and willingness to work in challenging field conditions, including long days and inclement weather (extreme heat/humidity, cold).
• Must be comfortable working independently and collaboratively.
• Strong work ethic.
• Experience with ATVs, off-road vehicle operation, and 4-wheel drive vehicles on unimproved roads.

Preferred candidate will also have:

• The ability to safely operate chainsaws, vehicles, agricultural tractors, and implements. 
• A clear understanding of the theories of forestry and wildlife management and the ecological management of the longleaf pine ecosystem.
• Experience with GPS units and capable of independent navigation.
• Experience marking and cruising timber.

Candidate must be a U.S. Citizen, have a current driver’s license, be able to pass a background security investigation, and have an original copy of their birth certificate. Typical work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8 hours per day. Schedule will be determined by work activities and may exceed 8 hours in one day. Occasional weekend or holiday work may occur.