Forester

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources protects, enhances, preserves, and wisely uses natural, cultural, and recreational resources for the benefit of Indiana’s citizens through professional leadership, management, and education. The Division of Forestry promotes and practices good stewardship of natural, recreational, and cultural resources on Indiana’s public and private forest lands. This stewardship produces continuing benefits, both tangible and intangible, for present and future generations. Some key initiatives of the forestry program include: Urban Forestry, Fire Management, Forest Health, Forest Legacy, and Forestry Education.

Clark State Forest is the oldest state forest in Indiana and encompasses over 25,000 acres and 100 miles of recreational trails. Clark State Forest was used as an experimental forest for many years. More than 150 experimental tree plantings, established from 1905 through 1935, can still be observed in many areas throughout the forest. Activities include biking, camping, fishing, gun range, hiking, horse riding, and more.

Role Overview:

Foresters are an essential part of managing our state forests. They evaluate conditions, execute silvicultural processes, and monitor activities to ensure our forests remain healthy for future generations. Property foresters are responsible for a variety of forest resource management activities to include but not limited to invasive species control, prescribed fire, forest inventories, marking timber, boundary line management, timber stand improvement, development of management guides, trail/fire land maintenance and more. Clark SF covered over 25,000-acre and the position is responsible for directly assisting with annual revenue between $600,000-700,000 in timber management activities. Position also may serve as the point of contact when the property is in the absence of a manager. A property foresters is essential to the daily operations, customer service, and contribution to the overall property/division revenue stream.

What You’ll Need for Success:

Individuals in this role should minimally be able to articulate or demonstrate the following:

Working knowledge of forestry tools and equipment (data recorder, laser, increment borer, compass, clinometer, etc.
Working knowledge of the principles, theories, and practices of forest resources management.
Working knowledge of tree and herbaceous plant identification, fire behavior and suppression.
Basic knowledge of surveying.
Basic knowledge of equipment operation and maintenance.
Basic knowledge of computer operation, Microsoft Office Suite, and ArcGIS.
Ability to inspect and develop management recommendations for rural and urban forests.

A degree is not required.

Individuals should have the ability to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

You must satisfy the following requirement to continue employment:

Obtain and retain pesticide applicator’s license within the first year of employment and maintain.
Obtain and retain a valid Indiana driver’s license
Successfully complete chainsaw training course within the first year of employment.
Successfully complete basic wildland fire courses (red card certified) and prescribed burning course within the first two years of employment.

Salary:

The salary for this position traditionally starts at $42,900.00 but may be commensurate with education and work experience.

Tagged as: Conservation