Occ. Code 1516110
|
FORESTER 1, GRADE 18 |
1516110 |
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FORESTER 2, GRADE 23 |
1516120 |
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FORESTER 3, GRADE 25 |
1516130 |
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FORESTER 4, M-3 |
1516140 |
New York State Department of Civil Service
Classification Standard
Positions in this series are responsible for professional forestry work on private and public lands. They apply forestry sciences to write land use plans, perform compliance inspections, manage forest lands, and provide management advice to communities, other agencies and political jurisdictions, and landowners. Private Forest management objectives are accomplished through the development and implementation of Forest Stewardship Plans, public education, and the regulation of tree growth by harvesting, thinning and plantings.
Foresters provide technical forestry assistance to landowners to achieve multiple forest land use objectives. Foresters provide technical assistance to municipal governments, forest industry staff and landowners in forest marketing, utilization and forest protection. They protect forest health, create forest recreational opportunities, improve water quality, create diversified wildlife habitat, produce renewable timber resources, and protect scenic areas and the environment. Foresters may grow trees and shrubs sold for environmental purposes. Positions are classified for the Department of Environmental Conservation central office, the Saratoga Tree Nursery, and various regional and sub-regional offices throughout the State. A limited number of positions in this series have been classified for the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
FORESTER 1: full performance level; implements forestry programs according to work plans. In the regions or at the Saratoga Tree Nursery, supervises Forestry Technicians and volunteers. In the central office, may be assigned to forest program administration or have technical responsibility for the application and use of Geographic Information Systems.
FORESTER 2: first supervisory level; in a region, assigns and monitors activities of subordinate Foresters 1 as well as technical and clerical staff. In the central office, administers a Statewide program.
FORESTER 3: supervises a section in central office; when assigned to regional office establishes work plans and directs implementation according to priorities set by the Regional Director and coordinates forestry programs with other managers in the region.
FORESTER 4: bureau manager assigned to central office; reports to the Environmental Program Director heading the Division of Lands and Forests; develops Statewide forestry programs and policies; prepares and monitors strategic plans for bureau operations.
Forestry Technicians perform technical forestry work under the supervision of a Forester 1. They make forest measurements and inventory trees, make referrals to private cooperating foresters, conduct compliance inspections, answer technical questions, and apply nursery practices to growing trees and shrubs. Forestry Technicians implement management guidelines developed by Foresters.
Forest Rangers are responsible for the enforcement of environmental conservation laws, conduct search and rescue efforts, and engage in wildfire prevention and suppression. They assist Foresters in the prosecution of department land encroachments and timber thefts by gathering data, making investigations and serving violators with tickets to appear in court. Forest Rangers support Foresters by assisting them in forest protection, which is one component of forest management.
ILLUSTRATIVE DUTIES
FORESTER 1: under the supervision of a Forester 2, administers wood product sales; creates management plans to guide the use of State Forests, Forest Preserves, urban forests, and private woodlands by compiling data, analyzing data and leading public debate; creates inventories of natural resources used in forest management by operating a Geographic Information System; implements federally subsidized programs by preparing plans for landowners and conducting related inspections; implements State tax incentive programs for landowners who practice forest management by conducting related inspections; coordinates federally funded studies to improve profitability of sawmills; consults with industry on forest resource potentials; administers forestry assistance programs to communities; consults tree care personnel on best management practices for urban forests; develops contracts for and approves Department reimbursement of contracts for State land maintenance and capital projects; approves urban forestry practices by making compliance inspections and working with contractors to bring work into compliance; implements and enforces native plants regulations to control the exploitation of listed plants; advises forest owners and administrators growing healthy forests by providing information on forest and watershed protection, biology of destructive pests, and plant quarantines; administers contracts to study rare plants and forest pests; compiles information on maintenance and capital costs to support budget requests; and may supervise technical and support staff.
FORESTER 2: under the general supervision of a Forester 3 supervises professional, technical and support staff to achieve work plan objectives; assists in program development; directs work assignments; reports on program status and progress towards work plan targets; maintains records relating to proceeds from the sale of wood products and services; recommends work plans to bring work targets in line with staffing by comparing productivity with revenue needs; advises supervisor on desired policies by commenting on statutes, regulations, policies and guidelines; creates technical brochures for public use by working cooperatively with public affairs and education staff; responds to letters, telephone calls and other requests for information; prepares contract language and budget narratives and monitors program expenditures; evaluates program performance to ensure work is implemented according to legal and regulatory requirements by making field inspections; reviews and investigates public complaints; assists central office in program reviews; informs public of departmental programs by communicating program services through news releases, brochures, letters, phone, presentations at public meetings, and fair exhibits; maintains inventories of supplies, equipment, and vehicles and oversees security of property; approves purchases and travel by subordinates; reviews applications for Adopt a Natural Resource Agreements and Temporary Revocable Permits to use State lands and forwards recommendations to supervisor; assists Forest Rangers in obtaining factual information and evidence in order to identify, apprehend and prosecute offenders encroaching on State lands; and represents the Department at public meetings.
FORESTER 3: supervises and oversees forestry programs; develops program guidelines and policies; prepares a work plan, capital construction budget, and State land budget; allocates resources by obtaining data and negotiating budgets with regional and central office managers; coordinates forestry programs with constituency groups to develop consensus by incorporating public input into program development; provides professional and technical guidance to Regional Forest Practice Board to improve its effectiveness and functions as Board secretary; represents management in grievances; ensures compliance with OSHA regulations, departmental health and safety requirements, and Right to Know Law; establishes program priorities to focus regional forestry work by negotiating targets of work and allocating resources to achieve work objectives; develops budget plan required to administer forestry programs by compiling information on personnel, equipment and supplies needed, and travel requirements; recommends land acquisitions based upon data regarding land parcels departmental priorities; administers budgets, equipment and vehicles allocated to regional forestry programs; investigates public complaints by interviewing complainant and relevant staff then deciding upon a remedy; prepares correspondence for the regional supervisors, Regional Director, and Commissioner; establishes conservation easements, land purchase agreements and memoranda of understanding with entities using Department lands; represents forestry programs and presents program perspective in managerial and executive meetings; conducts staff meetings; represents Department forestry program by speaking at advisory committee and planning board meetings of local governments; ensures program effectiveness by evaluating and modifying program plans, policies and work procedures as necessary; and administers land acquisition projects.
FORESTER 4: develops Statewide forestry programs by establishing strategic plan for bureau, articulating bureau goals, and overseeing and evaluating work; allocates fiscal and human resources to regional offices; determines bureau-wide staff development and training needs; prepares strategic plans to guide bureau operations; develops annual work plan to achieve revenue and work objectives by seeking input from each regions staff; provides regular program direction through section heads; guides staff research and reviews written analyses in matters of policy development; recommends new policies and policy changes for executive action; directs review of available grant programs and impact on the development, expansion, and maintenance of State forestry programs; provides program updates to superiors; communicates with stakeholders and interest groups having ties to environmental protection, public land recreation, natural resources, and the forest products industry.
FORESTER 1
Promotion: one year of permanent competitive service as a Forester Trainee 2.
FORESTER 2
Promotion: one year of permanent competitive service as a Forester 1.
FORESTER 3
Promotion: one year of permanent competitive service as a Forester 2.
FORESTER 4
Promotion: one year of permanent competitive service as a Forester 3.
Date: 10/03
NOTE: Classification Standards illustrate the nature, extent and scope of duties and responsibilities of the classes they describe. Standards cannot and do not include all of the work that might be appropriately performed by a class. The minimum qualifications above are those which were required for appointment at the time the Classification Standard was written. Please contact the Division of Staffing Services for current information on minimum qualification requirements for appointment or examination.