Senior Forester

Provides forest management technical assistance to rural private forest landowners to achieve the goals of the landowner, including timber revenue, sustained yield, ecological management, wildlife management; provides advice on timber marking and volume estimation, the sale of forest products; provides technical assistance in implementation of federal cost-share programs, site preparation and tree planting procedures, investment analysis, timber stand improvement methods, and diagnosis of forest insect and disease outbreaks; prepares stewardship and other management plans, proper tree selection and tree planting procedures. Provides technical assistance for UCF (Urban and Community Forestry) grants, Tree City USA, Champion Tree designations, and other related forest factors. Responds to homeowners’ requests for analysis of shade tree and ornamental tree diseases and provides information on methods of prevention and control. This position may be required to perform Forest Inventory Analysis (FIA) work, including FIA Certification by the United States Forest Service and the gathering and recording of FIA plot data in the field.

Utilizes mass media systems such as newspapers, radio and television to keep the public informed of developments in the forestry and conservation fields. Conducts forest management technical information and education workshops for private forest landowners. Provides local schools with information and assistance pertinent to environmental education through teacher workshops and instruction at environmental education centers.

Provides wildfire and emergency response support as directed. Assists in the development of smoke management, wildfire prevention, prescribed fire, pre-suppression burning plans and hazardous fuels mitigation. Assists in the enforcement of Florida’s open burning laws and regulation.

Provides technical assistance to county commissions, municipalities and other county and city agencies in the development and implementation of effective environmental studies and practices relating to land-use planning, zoning and development. This includes conservation and environmental planning, recreation and open-space planning, zoning variances relating to vegetation, drafting of ordinances relative to tree protection, landscaping, reclamation and preservation of natural areas and the establishment of conservation and scenic easements to preserve natural amenities.