Job Title Woodland Ecologist I Agency Texas A&M Forest Service Department Region 1B Proposed Minimum Salary $4,500.00 monthly Job Location Merkel, Texas Job Type Staff Job Description The Woodland Ecologist will provide program leadership to multi-county Forest Health, Wildland Urban Interfaces (WUI) and Land-Forest Stewardship initiative by providing technical assistance and educational programs which promote and conserve the social, economic and environmental benefits of trees, forests, woodlands and other related natural resources. The Woodland Ecologist will participate in Field Operations and Mitigation & Prevention program delivery. They will also be responsible for planning, implementing and providing technical assistance for wildfire prevention programs that include community wildfire protection plans, Firewise communities, completing WUI risk assessment and fuel management/reduction projects. They will coordinate with municipal, county and federal agencies on local, regional and statewide WUI programs and provide proactive technical assistance on community-based wildfire prevention programs. The position may be asked to serve in various roles during emergency response efforts including wildfires and all-hazard responses, including serving as an agency public information officer (PIO). Duties and Responsibilities: -Deliver a comprehensive, multi-faceted forest management program which incorporates both rural and urban/community forestry components to public and private stakeholders. Deliver the Texas Oak Wilt Suppression Project and/or Forest Health Program Initiatives to public and private stakeholders. Respond to concerned landowners with oak wilt problems by phone and by performing site visits. Construct treatment plans and supervise implementation of cost-shared control measures. Prepare and deliver oak wilt presentations. Talk to landowner associations, write oak wilt articles and give workshops which also integrate stewardship, forest health, WUI and PLT. -Deliver the Texas Forest Stewardship Program to communities and private, non-industrial landowners in Central Texas. Establish and maintain relation with state and federal agencies involved in conservation tree planting. Promote, through personal contact and mass media, the values of conservation tree planting. Provide on-site assistance to private landowners in the planning and planting of trees to achieve resource conservation goals. -Develop, deliver and/or assist with agency mitigation and prevention programs that include community wildfire protection plans (CWPP), Firewise Communities programs, completing WUI risk assessments and assisting with fuel management/reduction projects. Coordinate with and provide technical assistance to municipal, county and federal agencies offered WUI programs and community-based wildfire prevention programs. Encourage cities, counties and fire departments to participate in proactive prevention and mitigation programs and to adopt a CWPP or achieve recognized Firewise USA community status. -Provide and/or assist with the development and delivery of local and regional workshops, training sessions, seminars and presentations to professional, partner and civic groups, along with associated media events. Assist with the field delivery of fuel reduction efforts, conservation education programs, regional wildfire prevention programs, wildland firefighting training and all-hazard response training programs. -Provide direct support/assistance to local, regional and statewide Incident Response efforts and other division programs. Serve as an emergency responder with agency PIO (including all-hazard and wildland fire) with may require working long hours with minimal rest and in primitive conditions, exposure to harsh environmental conditions such as smoke, wind, sunlight, rain and temperature extremes, walking long distances, standing for extended periods, twisting, bending, reaching and kneeling, lifting and carrying heavy objects, driving motor vehicles for long distances and operating computers with monitors for extended periods of time. This position must meet the moderate physical fitness standard of a 2-mile walk carrying a 25 lb. pack in 30 minutes or less. Must carry cell phone device to facilitate 24/7 communication. -Other duties as assigned. Benefits: Texas A&M University System strives to support the health and wellness needs of our diverse workforce. Texas A&M Forest Service offers a competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance, retirement benefits, paid time off and health and lifestyle programs as well as educational incentives and tuition reimbursement opportunities. Some additional benefits include the ability to accrue compensatory time off, overtime on emergency response and a physical fitness incentive of $500 for passing the arduous test (walk three miles wearing a 45-pound pack in 45 minutes or less) each year. Education and Experience: Required Education: Bachelor's degree in Forestry, Biology, Range Science, Environmental Management, Horticulture, Wildlife, Fire Ecology or closely related course of study. Preferred Education: Master's degree in Forestry, Biology, Range Science, Environmental Management, Horticulture, Wildlife, Fire Ecology or closely related course of study. Required Experience: Up to two (2) years of practical experience as a Staff Forester, Woodland Ecologist or mitigation efforts or equivalent Preferred Experience: 3-5 year's of practical experience as a Staff Forester, Woodland Ecologist or equivalent with supervisory responsibilities. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Required Knowledge: Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) Preferred Knowledge: Working knowledge of ArcGIS and digital ortho-imagery application Required Skills: Strong interpersonal skills working with a wide variety of people. Must have excellent oral and written communication skills. Preferred Skills: Strong interpersonal skills with networking abilities. Required Abilities: Ability to travel away from home unit for trainings, programs, meetings, etc. Work independently and be self-directed. Develop and maintain relationships with various cooperators, stakeholders and the general public. Work with all forms of the news media. Work with GIS applications.Ability to respond for 14+ days for emergency response. Must be able to work occasional weekends and expect some overnight travel and extended length assignments. Multi-task and work cooperatively with others. Preferred Abilities: Strong work ethic. Dependable. Highly organized. Collaborative. Outgoing personality. Registrations, Certifications, and Licenses: Required: Texas drivers license Preferred : ISA Certified Arborist. NWCG Firefighter Type 2 (FFT-2) Other Requirements:Required: Response to wildland fires. Meet and maintain a moderate physical fitness standard (2 mile walk carrying 25lbs in 30 minutes or less) Preferred : Meet and maintain an arduous physical fitness standard (3 mile walk carrying 45lbs in 45 minutes or less) Applicant Instructions: Resume, cover letter and transcript(s) are REQUIRED to be uploaded to application. References are required to be entered in the secondary questionnaire section of the application. Certifications are preferred to be uploaded to the application. Documents/certifications can be uploaded in the "My Experience" page in the "Resume/CV section. More than one document can be uploaded; just click the "Upload" button for each document. Documents can only be loaded at this time and cannot be uploaded once the application is submitted. If there are any issues uploading documents, please contact 979-458-6690. Please check your spam folder in case more information is sent in regards to this position. All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check. Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer.