Cerulean Warbler Appalachian Forestland Enhancement - Private Lands Forester

IMPORTANT:  This Advertiser has requested that applicants MUST be National Residents / Valid Work Permit-holders.  Other applicants need not apply.

 

Vacancy - Cerulean Warbler Appalachian Forestland Enhancement Private Lands Forester
(2 Positions Available)

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Position Summary:

 

Title: Cerulean Warbler RCPP Private Lands Forester

Supervisors: Appalachian Mountains Joint Venture Coordinator and American Bird Conservancy’s Forest Birds Habitat Coordinator

Location: Pennsylvania

Application Deadline: May 15, 2015 (Interviews will be conducted week of May 25, 2015)

Term of Position: Approx. June 1, 2015 to March, 2020

 

 

Introduction and Primary Duties:

 

American Bird Conservancy (ABC) is seeking to fill two Private Lands Forester positions to work effectively with private forest landowners and local partners in Pennsylvania to implement forest management on private lands based on best management practices that benefit cerulean warblers and promote sustainable oak forest management.

 

We seek a two field foresters who will be responsible for preparing forest stands for treatment according to the Cerulean Warbler Forest Management Guidelines for Enhancing Breeding Habitat in Appalachian Hardwood Forests. This work is part of the Cerulean Warbler Appalachian Forestland Enhancement project funded through the Natural Resource Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Regional Conservation Partners Program (RCPP). The Cerulean Warbler is a neotropical migratory songbird that inhabits mature deciduous forests and responds favorably to various types of forest management. This project is being coordinated by Appalachian Mountains Joint Venture (AMJV) staff, who are employees of American Bird Conservancy (ABC). The goal of this project is to enhance forest habitat on private lands for Cerulean Warblers and associated species across the RCPP project area using sustainable silvicultural practices. The field forester position and associated activities are supported with funds from NRCS and ABC.

 

The Field Forester’s main duties will be to:

• Work with AMJV staff, PA Game Commission, NRCS, PA DCNR Bureau of Forestry, IUP-Research Institute, TNC, and other partners to:
• Promote forest management following the Cerulean Warbler Forest Management Guidelines to private landowners, foresters and wildlife habitat practitioners.
• Identify and directly contact private landowners with forest management opportunities.
• Conduct site visits to private forest owners and provide technical assistance including the development of conservation plan.
• Works with conservation planners and NRCS staff to facilitate private landowner enrollment in NRCS programs.
• Identify additional landowners and future sites for forest implementation or habitat restoration on private lands.
• Complete all aspects of forest habitat management including:
• Prepare project area and marking boundaries of timber sale areas.
• Lay out necessary roads.
• Survey sale boundaries and roads using GPS unit, then use collected data to produce necessary maps using computer programs.
• Collect and use data to prepare the following preparation documents:
  • SILVAH Stand analysis (Use data collector)
  • Prescription Narrative
  • PNDI
• Apply the silvicultural prescription through timber marking.
• Conduct tour of sale area with prospective bidders.
• Oversee the harvest to ensure CERW BMPs are followed
• Other duties will include:
  • Promote young forest management following the Golden-winged Warbler Best Management Practices to private landowners as part of the NRCS Working Lands for Wildlife program.
  • Monitor and track project activities using an electronic database and GIS to ensure proper reporting for assessing success, and possibly assist with focal species monitoring pre- and post-treatment.
  • Assist resource professionals with development of site specific forest management plans according to NRCS practice standards and focal species’ best management practices.
  • Communicate with, and provide technical assistance to, private landowners as well as local, state and federal agencies on implementation of best management practices for focal bird species.
  • Write and submit quarterly and annual reports to AMJV and ABC.

 

Position Requirements:

 

Education:

 

Graduation from an associate's degree program in forest technology, forestry, forest management, urban forestry, forest science, or agroforestry recognized by the Society of American Foresters, and two years of technical forestry experience;

or
Graduation from a bachelor's or master’s degree program in forest technology, forestry, forest management, urban forestry, forest science, or agroforestry recognized by the Society of American Foresters

Experience:

• Accurately identify trees
• Knowledge of NRCS landowner cost-share programs, especially EQIP.
• Experience working with private landowners as well as public agencies (ex. NRCS, PA Game Commission, USFWS, USDA Forest Service) as well as knowledge of landowner incentive programs desired.
• Ability to use Excel, ArcMAP, Google Maps, and other computer mapping systems to identify and delineate project boundaries.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects, produce effective results and meet deadlines. Applicant must, be self-motivated, responsible and have ability to solve problems.
• Applicant must have a valid driver’s license.

Field Foresters will likely be based out of an NRCS office to facilitate coordination and cooperation with local NRCS offices. The Field Forester is an ABC employee and represents ABC and the Appalachian Mountains Joint Venture in their work. The Field Foresters will be supervised by the AMJV Coordinator, but their daily activities will be determined by ABC’s Forest Birds Habitat Coordinator with direction from the PA Game Commission’s Private Lands Biologist and NRCS.

 

Salary:  $45,000 (benefits included)

 

Application Instructions:

 

Please send a cover letter and resume to:

Todd Fearer
tfearer@abcbirds.org