Careers >> Forestry Technician
Forestry Technician
Summary
Title:Forestry Technician
ID:1067
Position Type:Full-time
Pay Grade:Grade 4 - Hourly $19.10 - $28.31, starting wage DOQ (step schedule)
Closing Date:Open Until Filled
Description

Job Summary

To assist land department staff in performing land, forest and recreational management of county tax-forfeited lands and county park facilities. To assist with the management of county tax-forfeited lands and county park facilities to ensure optimum economic benefits to local taxing districts and to benefit wildlife, recreation, water quality and public safety. To assist with reviewing and recording department statistics and collecting payments.
 

Supervision Received

Employees working in this job class work under general supervision and usually receive some instruction with respect to details of most assignments, but are free to develop their own work sequences within established procedures, methods, and policies. They are often physically removed from their supervisor and are only subject to periodic supervisory checks.  

This position reports to the Land Commissioner for parks activities, but may also receive limited work direction from the Parks Foreman and Recreation Specialist. Likewise, this position reports to the Assistant Land Commissioner for forestry activities, but may also receive limited work direction from the Foresters.

 

Supervision Exercised

Serves as a work leader for seasonal park laborers. Elements of direct control over these positions include assigning tasks, monitoring progress and work flow, checking the product for timeliness and correctness or soundness, and providing input into supervisor’s actions.  
 

Essential Functions

This position description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other essential and nonessential functions as assigned or apparent to meet the ongoing needs of the department and organization. Regular attendance and punctuality are essential requirements of this position.

1.    Assists in the set-up, appraisal, and scaling of timber harvesting on county lands, to ensure optimum yields of forest products on a sustainable basis and provides benefits to non-timber benefits/forest values (i.e. recreational opportunities, wildlife habitat, etc.) On rare occasions, may also assist in the supervision of contractors harvesting timber on county lands.
2.    Assists in maintenance and development of county recreation facilities including parks, campgrounds, public accesses or trails to provide a safe and clean environment for users of the facilities.
3.    Assists in performing forest inventory on specific forest stands to update or expand land department data on the attributes of county forest lands.
4.    Assists in boundary determinations using established surveying techniques, appraisals of timber volume and value, related to county administered lands.
5.    Assists in the set-up, supervision and maintenance of county forest development projects to protect or enhance the economic and environmental viability of county lands.
6.    Serves as a work leader over seasonal, part time, and/or temporary employees to assist in the timely accomplishment of workloads related to department activities. 
7.    Provides public and office assistance by performing receptionist duties, facilitating communication via the radio with foresters, and providing information both in person and over the phone. 
8.    Attends training workshops and seminars, approved by the land commissioner, to keep up-to-date on current practices, procedures, laws, ordinances or issues related to the natural resources field.

•    Performs other related duties as assigned or apparent.

 

Minimum Qualifications

Associate’s degree or higher in Forestry or Natural Resources with a forestry emphasis is required. Experience performing land, forestry, or recreational management activities is highly preferred, but not required.

Pesticide Applicator license issued by the State of MN Department of Agriculture preferred.

Valid Minnesota driver’s license required. Employment reference checks, a criminal background check, and pre-employment physical will be performed as part of the pre-employment process.

 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required

Knowledge of:  
1.    County and departmental policies, procedures, and practices. 
2.    Knowledge of the latest silvicultural methods and soil and site productivity and the ability to administer proper silvicultural methods for each timber species, to ensure maximum yield of timer and to benefit  wildlife, water quality, and recreation.
3.    State and local laws, rules, and regulations relevant to the work performed in this position.
4.    Habitat needs of wildlife and plants.
5.    Knowledge and understanding of soils, forest pests, and herbicides.
6.    Different plant and tree species.
7.    General office work such as telephone etiquette, filing, and data entry. 
8.    Surveying techniques and instruments, topography and forest management, and ability to use proper terminology and technical forms. 
9.    Knowledge of proper procedures and safety rules when using and applying herbicides, pesticides and assisting with explosives.  

Skill in:
1.    Written and oral communication skills sufficient to communicate the policies and procedures of the department to, contractors, other agencies, customers and the public.
2.    Typing skill sufficient to complete 30 net words per minute without errors.
3.    Operating light equipment (tractors, bobcats, etc.), light machinery, spraying equipment, forestry tools and other small hand and power tools.
4.    Proficient GPS and compass orienteering.
5.    Strong computer skills.
6.    Reading, writing, and speaking English proficiently.
7.    Effectively organizing and prioritizing workload.

Ability to:
1.    Present a positive attitude in the workplace, promote a spirit of teamwork and cooperation, and be able to treat co-workers and supervisors with respect, honesty, and consideration. 
2.    Consistently perform accurate data entry.
3.    Precisely follow oral and written instructions, develop and follow detailed work plans, maintain a safe work environment, and promote county resources.
4.    Read and understand legal descriptions and several different types of maps.
5.    Establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, co-workers, other county employees, loggers, contractors, individuals, special interest groups, government agencies and the general public. 
6.    Work in all types of weather and conditions
7.    Physically traverse in treacherous conditions.
8.    Demonstrate a high degree of self-motivation and the ability to work independently 
9.    Endure hazardous insect, animals, and plants.
10.    Maintain accurate daily logs.
11.    Motivate and direct seasonal staff as they work. 
12.    Safely operate chainsaws, brush axes, ATVs, snowmobiles and pickup trucks. 

Language Skills

Intermediate Skills - Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.  Ability to write reports and correspondence.  Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of the organization.
 

Mathematical Skills

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common 
fractions, and decimals. Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as percentages, acres, feet, square feet, area, circumference, diameter, and radius. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry. Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and 
fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations. Ability to apply sampling theory.

 

Reasoning Skills

Intermediate Skills – Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.  Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
 

Computer Skills

To perform this job successfully, an individual should be proficient at using the following software.                                   

County Payroll Software, E-time, Webfusion, Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Publisher, Access, PowerPoint, Inventory Management Software: TAppr (access integration with GIS), RTVision reservation Program, GIS, Arc Map, Arc View, GPS (Terra Sync) and other job-related software.
    

 

Ability to Travel

Daily travel required, approximately 100 miles per day on highways and forest roads.
 

Competencies

To perform the job successfully, an individual should consistently demonstrate the following competencies (definitions attached or available upon request):
 

Ethics, attendance/punctuality, safety and security, dependability, analytical, problem solving, technical skills, customer service, interpersonal skills, oral communication, written communication, teamwork,  leadership, quality management, cost consciousness, diversity, organizational support, judgment, motivation, planning/organizing, professionalism, quality, quantity, adaptability, and initiative.
 

Work Environment

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

This position requires some work indoors and outdoor activity for the majority of the day using, operating, and maintaining small tools, heavy equipment, light machinery and other specialized instruments, keeping them in safe working condition.  Manual dexterity and motor coordination are required for the majority of the duties. 

The work may be dirty and hazardous at times; subject to chemicals and pesticides and annoying and hazardous insects and animals. 

Equipment and Tools

Personal protective equipment, computer, copier, fax, telephone, printer, power tools, hand tools, surveying equipment, 10-key calculators, measuring and metering devices, laser levels, construction calculators, specific forest related tools such as prisms, clinometer, Biltmore sticks, statistical charts specific to forestry (i.e. stocking tables), handheld GPS units, motor graders, bobcats, and county-owned vehicles.

Physical Activities/Requirements

Climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, carrying, use of fingers, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions. Must have the ability to lift and/or carry up to 50 pounds. May occasionally perform heavy work, exerting up to 100 pounds of force to move objects. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee performs medium work, exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Position requires walking long distances in sometimes difficult terrain.

Working safely is a condition of employment. Aitkin County is a drug-free and alcohol-free workplace.

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by employees assigned to this job classification. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. Aitkin County reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet organizational needs as necessary. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee.
 

Reasonable Accommodation Notice

The County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
 

06/17/2021


 

Our Vision: We strive to be a county of safe, vibrant communities that place value on good stewardship of local resources.

Our Mission: Aitkin County’s mission is to provide outstanding service in a fiscally responsible manner through innovation and collaboration with respect for all.

Our Core Values: Collaboration, Innovation, Integrity, People-Focused, Professionalism

 

 

 

This opening is closed and is no longer accepting applications
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