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4/10/2023 (8:00 PM EDT)

23-02581

Forestry Program Specialist

Employment Type

EXECUTIVE BRANCH | FULL TIME, ELIGIBLE FOR OVERTIME PAY | 18A | 37.5 HR/WK

Hiring Agency

Energy & Environment Cabinet | Department for Natural Resources

Location

300 Sower Blvd
Frankfort, KY 40601 USA

The agency may authorize the selected applicant to telecommute two days a week. The agency may terminate or modify the telecommuting arrangement at any time.

Description

The mission of the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet (EEC) is to improve the quality of life for all Kentuckians by protecting our land, air, and water resources by utilizing our natural resources in an environmentally conscientious manner. We do this by helping families connect with nature and preserving the Commonwealth’s natural heritage; and by supporting innovative, resilient, and sustainable energy solutions that together bring economic benefit to the commonwealth.

If you are looking for a positive work environment and a career where you can make a difference in the environment we live in, then EEC is the cabinet for you. For more information on what our cabinet has to offer, check out our YouTube page https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWSuC43XqlHchYeQ66tP7tg and our Careers page https://eec.ky.gov/Pages/careers.aspx.

By joining the Division of Forestry/Forest Management Branch/Stewardship, FIA, and Urban Section as a Forest Stewardship Forestry Program Specialist in Franklin county, you will have the opportunity to significantly contribute to ensuring the programmatic integrity of numerous forestry-related programs, and the consistent delivery of services to the public. During the performance of your assigned duties, you will interact on a daily/weekly basis with local, state, regional, and national partners with emphasis on coordinating the forest stewardship program statewide, sustainable forest management and the public, especially with branch personnel, the forest management branch, and the division's program staff.

Holders of the Forest Stewardship Forestry Program Specialist position will complete tasks such as:

• Implementing, coordinating, and monitoring all of the federal program requirements.
• Coordinating with Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) on Farm Bill delivery including working closely with NRCS state-level personnel on forestry cost-share specifications that meet NRCS practice standards.
• Developing educational forestry materials, and assisting with professional forester training series, silvicultural training and sustainable forestry management initiatives.
• Seeking federal funding opportunities for specialized forest stewardship forestry projects.
• Preparing grant narratives, contractual agreements, accomplishment reports, SMART reporting, geographic information systems (GIS)-Survey 123 forest stewardship monitoring reports and annual GIS uploads into the national US Forest Service database.
• Provide sustainable management goals and strategies for the forest stewardship program.
• Continue outreach efforts with the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service to continue to produce topic-specific short courses, webinars, marketing workshops, publications, etc.
• Recognize one overall state winner for the Kentucky Outstanding Forest Steward of the Year contest and present the awards.
• Continue to inspect forests that are certified by the American Tree Farm System.
• Provide technical assistance to private forest landowners seeking cost share assistance through other USDA programs especially the NRCS funds that have been dedicated to Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) cost-share practices in Kentucky. Those practices will include afforestation, riparian buffers, timber stand improvement, and improvement on existing access trails and roads.
• Continue to operate two seedling nurseries to provide a low cost source of native hardwood species for afforestation and reforestation efforts across the Commonwealth.

Desired candidates possess the following requisite skills or experience applicable to the position:

• Ability to work independently.
• Effective communication, organization, and documentation skills.
• Proficient knowledge and use of information technology and federal accomplishment reporting.
• Prepare forest stewardship plans and practice plans for landowners who sign up to receive cost-share assistance in the EQIP program. A forest stewardship plan is required as part of the conservation planning process.
• Continue to provide technical assistance that includes selectively marking and estimating volume of timber for harvest; timber marketing assistance; assistance in tree planting and/or natural forest regeneration; timber stand improvement recommendations and marking; and other forest-related resource management assistance as appropriate.

EEC provides opportunities for development and upward movement. There is room to grow your skillset as you build your career. Come join our team and make an impact in the future of Kentucky. We look forward to reviewing your application.

Minimum Requirements

Working Conditions

Work includes both administrative duties, which may involve frequent contact with regional personnel and other agencies, and field duties which involve outdoor work at the nursery or forestlands in general. Working outdoors may occur during adverse weather conditions. A moderate amount of travel is required.

Probationary Period

This job has an initial and promotional probationary period of 6 months, except as provided in KRS 18A.111.

If you have questions about this advertisement, please contact Pam Snyder at pamela.snyder@ky.gov or 502-782-7184.

An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D