Necessary Special Qualifications: Applicants for this class must:

1. Possess and maintain a valid vehicle operator's license in some positions;
2. Possess and maintain a Forest Inventory Analysis Certification in some positions;
3. Pass a physical fitness test upon hire for participation in wildfire activities in some positions.

Examination Method: Education and Experience, 100%, for Preferred Service positions.

Summary: Under immediate supervision, is responsible for professional forestry work of routine difficulty; and performs related work as required.

Distinguishing Features: This is the entry-level class in the professional forester series. An employee in this class learns to perform professional forestry duties in a state forest or in multiple counties. This class will be located in state forests or Forest Inventory and Analysis. This class differs from the Forester 2 in that the latter functions at the working level.

*An applicant appointed to this flexibly staffed class will be reclassified to the next higher class in the series after successful completion of a mandatory one-year training period; inadequate or marginal performance during the training period will result in automatic demotion or termination.

1. Assists with addressing feedback received from landowners, general public, and other public agencies by gathering information from all parties and reports information to supervisor.
2. Assists with making recommendations regarding public use of state forests such as road access, vehicle restrictions, and permits based on impacts on forest property.
3. Walks, hikes, and works on steep, rough terrain for extended periods of time to perform timber cruising activities, boundary line inspections and timber sale preparation.
4. Learns to collect forest inventory data such as tree/site data, landowner information, invasive/exotic species, and pathogen information.
5. Learns to use mapping software to document road and inventory plot locations, boundaries, and other information. Assists in drafting specifications for construction of state forest roads.
6. Assists in designing public use areas and trails (e.g. hiking, horseback riding, all-terrain vehicles, off-highway vehicles) on state property.
7. Assists in delineating forest management units and conditions based on characterizing data variables such as forest type, stand size/class, density, and regeneration status.
8. Assists in providing technical expertise to agency personnel and general public regarding the application of forestry practices and forestland management decisions.
9. Learns to use GIS software, enters spatial data, stand attributes table, cruise data, to sell timber and create compartmental plans.
10. Learns to write and implement State Forest Compartment Plans using forest inventory data.
11. As the agency's on-site representative, assists in maintaining the scheduled work of vendors/contractors.
12. May assist in wildland fire response, prescribed fire application, and all-hazard incidents.

Competencies:

1. Action Oriented
2. Approachability
3. Composure
4. Learning on the Fly
5. Customer Focus
6. Listening
7. Ethics and Values
8. Perseverance
9. Organizing
10. Patience

Knowledge:

1. Biology
2. Communications and Media
3. Geography
4. Mathematics
5. Public Safety and Security

Skills:

1. Active Learning
2. Active Listening
3. Coordination
4. Monitoring
5. Science
6. Speaking
7. Time Management

Abilities:

1. Category Flexibility
2. Depth Perception
3. Far Vision
4. Gross Body Coordination
5. Gross Body Equilibrium
6. Memorization
7. Near Vision
8. Number Facility
9. Reaction Time
10. Spatial Orientation