The Forester – Illinois, is responsible for providing technical assistance to private landowners to conserve and/or enhance forests, including critical white oaks in the Driftless Area of Northwest Illinois. The forester will be responsible for administering, implementing and promoting forestry improvements through Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) technical assistance programs. Work will be accomplished primarily through the development of conservation management plans focused on forestry resources, conducting outreach activities (workshops, field days, etc.). The forester provides forestry assistance to private landowners, communities and public agencies to achieve optimum environmental, economic and social benefits from forest resources, including supporting White Oak Initiative efforts via: developing forest management plans, prescribed burn plans, tree planting plans, landowner site visits, resource inventories, CPA-52 Environmental Evaluation Worksheet, Customer Service Toolkit Plan development, checkout, and certification of planned activities utilizing NRCS conservation practices standards, specifications, and job sheets.

The Forester – Illinois, is a salaried exempt, full-time, term-limited position (4 years) with full benefits. Benefits include Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, LTD, Vacation, Sick pay, Holidays, 401(k) with employer match, and more. This position will be housed in the Winnebago County NRCS Service Center in Rockford, Illinois and have the flexibility to work remotely at times.

Requirements

The Forester – Illinois, requires a Bachelor’s degree in Forestry (from a SAF-Accredited Program) or other natural resource degree with a strong forestry emphasis or relevant experience (Applicants with a Master’s degree in forestry or education/experience in wildlife management are preferred), demonstrated proficiency using Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Outlook), ArcGIS, Google Maps, and other computer mapping systems, to identify and delineate project boundaries. Experience with forestry and silvicultural, conservation implementation, habitat management, and wildlife biology is desired, strong organizational skills, ability to work independently with little direct supervision, strong written and verbal communication skills, experience working with private landowners, as well as Federal & State agencies with working knowledge of cost-share programs, such as Farm Bill programs. Preferred candidates will possess experience working in Midwest forest ecosystems and with associated techniques to manage those forests. Knowledge of forest inventory, management, and planning for major silvicultural types of the region is preferred; map reading and GIS-GPS technology, ArcGIS skills; ability to effectively communicate, both orally and in written form, to convey clear and persuasive messages that positively influence the thoughts and actions of others and work with the general public, state, federal, NGO partners & other cooperators and peers is also required. The forester will possess knowledge and skills in the use and operation of forestry field equipment as well as skills in preparing spreadsheets, reporting accomplishments within NWTF reporting systems and using basic computing applications.