State of Maryland

A Forester is the intermediate level of work in the field of professional forestry management and protection.  Employees in this classification, following a period of training and orientation during which employees assist with Maryland Forest Service programs, will begin to work with increased independence in technical forestry; forest protection, to include 24-hour emergency fire control and fire control planning; roadside tree services; and marketing of forest products.  Employees in this classification do not supervise other positions but may provide advice and guidance to seasonal workers.

Employees in this classification receive moderate supervision from a Forester Supervisor or other forestry professional.  Considerable time is spent out-of-doors under varying climatic conditions.  Employees in this classification travel extensively to remote areas of the State and work overtime to accomplish seasonal responsibilities.

Positions in this classification are evaluated by using the classification job evaluation methodology.  The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of the class specification.

The Forester is differentiated from the Forester Licensed in that the Forester works under close supervision at times and under general supervision at other times depending on the complexity of the duty being performed, while the Forester Licensed performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision.

Performs forest resource management planning, including data collection, site surveys, mapping, selection, preparation, species selection and planting methods;

Facilitates timber stand improvement;

Provides advice and guidance to woodland owners on best management practices for the protection of trees and forest resources;

Oversees harvest selection, sales and contracts;

Markets forest products;

Conducts forest inventory and calculates volume computations;

Prepares State and federal cost-share and assistance reports;

Performs and teaches fire suppression, prevention and preparedness;

Performs forest conservation law enforcement;

Performs public relations activities;

Performs tree maintenance and protection activities;

Oversees grounds equipment and facility maintenance and operations;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of forestry management and conservation techniques;

Knowledge of the sciences of botany, silvics, forest measurement, dendrology, forest entomology and pathology, arboriculture, ecology, soils, timber and forest finance;

Knowledge of the practices of silviculture and methods of forest protection;

Ability to gather and analyze facts through research and investigation and to exercise sound judgments in drawing conclusions and making recommendations;

Ability to use forestry instruments and equipment such as clinometers, wedge prisms, data recorders and global position system units;

Ability to instruct and supervise groups engaged in forestry or conservation practices;

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, program staff, property owners and the general public;

Ability to communicate effectively.

Education:   A Bachelor of Science degree in forestry from a school of forestry accredited by the Society of American Foresters.

Experience: None.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Master of Science degree approved by the State Board of Foresters for the required Bachelor’s degree.

2. The education requirement is pursuant to Business Occupations and Professions Article, Sections 7-206 and 7-304 of the Annotated Code of Maryland.

3. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in the natural resources management and biological sciences classifications or natural resources management and biological sciences specialty codes in the forestry field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required education. 

1. Candidates appointed to positions in this classification will be subject to assignment in any county of the State. Upon permanent appointment, the employee will be required to reside in the county or region to which they are assigned.

2. Employees in this classification are subject to call-in and, therefore, are required to submit a telephone number where they can be reached in case of forest fire emergencies.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Professional Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Professional Service positions.  Some positions in Professional Service classifications may be designated Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is assigned to Bargaining Unit G- Engineering, Scientific and Administrative Professionals classes.  As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.