Forest Program Specialist (Forest Health Division)

THE POSITION

Are you passionate about safeguarding the precious resources of Pennsylvania’s state forests? If so, we invite you to become a Forest Program Specialist in the Forest Health Division of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Take action now and apply today to make a difference!

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

As the Area Forest Health Specialist (AFHS), you will oversee the field implementation of Division of Forest Health activities across multiple counties and forest districts in Pennsylvania. Your responsibilities will include forest pest suppression, surveying forest insects and diseases, and leading information and education programs to manage destructive forest insects and diseases on public and private forest resources. Furthermore, you will plan, coordinate, monitor, conduct, supervise, and evaluate these activities, and may also lead statewide forest health projects as a field project leader. 

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment
• Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday – Friday, with 30-minute lunch.
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time, up to 5 day per pay period. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in McConnellsburg.
• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY

QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Two years of experience as a Forester; or
• Two years of experience as a Forest Nursery Assistant Manager; or
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training which affords the applicant the required knowledges, skills, and abilities.

Special Requirement:

• This position requires possession of a valid motor vehicle operator’s license, of the proper class for the vehicles operated, as issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Other Requirements:

• PA residency requirement is currently waived for this title.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions

Veterans: 

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.employment.pa.gov/Additional%20Info/Pages/default.aspx and click the Veterans’ Preference tab or contact us at ra-cs-vetpreference@pa.gov.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS): 

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.
 
The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.EXAMINATION INFORMATION

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position.  No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.