Job #FOR-50515953-3.10.26-TW
This position is located within the Office of Forestry, in Rapides Parish.

The Office of Forestry's primary responsibilities include suppressing timberland wildfires; promoting sound forest management practices, disseminating information; facilitating educational programs, producing reforestation seedlings; enforcing timber-related laws; investigating timber theft; and assisting community urban forestry programs. Supervision for this position is received from the Forestry Branch Asst Chief.

Ready to make a difference in protecting Louisiana's forests? Join the Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry as a Forestry Crew Supervisor! Play a vital role in wildfire prevention and suppression, promote sound forest management, enforce timber laws, and support community forestry programs.

Advance your career with leadership opportunities and CDL options. This position offers eligibility for the Hazardous Duty Services Retirement Plan at all levels of the CPG.

• Work in breathtaking natural settings
• Enjoy competitive pay and great benefits
• Make a real impact on the environment
• Be part of a passionate, supportive team

LDAF cares about the well-being of its employees! We offer a fully employer-funded Employee Assistance Program (EAP), providing valuable support and resources to help you and your household members thrive at work and at home. The EAP is also free for all members of your household.

Possession of a high school diploma or equivalent plus three years of experience in forest management or forest conservation; OR

Six semester hours in forestry, horticulture or botany plus two years of experience in forest management or forest conservation; OR

Completion of a forest technology program of at least eighteen months duration from a technical college plus one year of experience in forest management or forest conservation.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENT:
Possession of a current Louisiana driver's license.

The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.

Job Duties:

Incumbent is responsible for supervision and direction of fire prevention and suppression activities in assigned parishes within the Office of Forestry. Supervises forestry crews in fire detection, fire suppression, fire prevention, prescribed burning, timber marking, seedling survival evaluations, as well as maintenance of buildings, grounds, equipment and vehicles. Work is performed in accordance with rules, regulations, and policies of the Office of Forestry and the Department of Agriculture and Forestry. Incumbent will approve all attendance and absence reports as well as conduct Performance Evaluations. Supervision for this position is received from the Forestry Branch Asst Chief. This position is eligible for the Hazardous Duty Services Retirement Plan.

• Incumbent is on call day and night and is responsible for assigning and supervising work schedules, leave and duty assignments of crews in fire detection, prevention of fire control activities.
• Coordinates fire suppression activities involving wildfires under his jurisdiction.
• Ensures that wildland substations are manned appropriately and that instruments in fire danger rating stations are read daily and properly recorded.
• Responsible for all reports and records related to fire detection and suppression activities.
• Assigns and supervises performance of daily forest management activities of forestry crews, including fire-line plowing, prescribed burning, timber marking, seedling planting and survival evaluations and the identification and treatment of infected or infested trees in forested areas.
• Inspects and supervises maintenance of fire suppression equipment, vehicles and other equipment.
• Supervises maintenance, repair and construction of forestry buildings and wildland substations and maintenance of grounds.
• Assists Forestry Parish Supervisor and Agriculture & Forestry Regional Administrator in training Forestry Crew Specialists and Leaders in techniques of firefighting, basic first aid, map reading, radio procedures, etc.
• Prepares educational materials, routine forest management plans, and assist in forest management tasks and inspections.

Functional Requirements:

• Moderate light lifting, 30 pounds, with occasional lifting of up to 50+ pounds
• Reaching above the shoulders and carrying specialist equipment needed to perform duties
• Requires considerable walking over irregular ground and standing for long periods of time
• Occasional demands may be required for moderately strenuous activities in emergencies over long periods of time
• Climbing on and off transport and tractor

• Working indoors and outdoors
• Excessive smoke, heat, humidity, cold, wet, and extreme dry conditions
• Walking on irregular ground for long distances
• Working around neighborhood/residential and wild land hazards
• Will be required to wear appropriate safety protection/clothing

Position-Specific Details:

Appointment Type: Full-time, Probational
Compensation: The salary offered will be determined based on qualifications and experience.
Other Benefits: This position is eligible to receive on-call compensation ($1.00/hour) when the employee is required to be available for work status at times outside of the regular work schedule. Work schedules and on-call rotations are determined by the Ag/Forestry Regional Administrator. Additionally, the incumbent of this position will receive hazardous duty pay ($1.73/hour) for all hours worked in addition to their base salary.
Location: This position is located within the Office of Forestry in Rapides Parish.

How To Apply:

To apply for this vacancy, click on the “Apply” link above and complete an electronic application, which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities. Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the Information section of the Current Job Opportunities page.

*Information to support your eligibility for this job title must be included in the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education). Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections on your application. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.

The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry strictly prohibits workplace harassment and discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, religion, national origin, military service, sickle cell trait, protected genetic information or other non-merit factor. LDAF also strictly prohibits employment decisions based upon or influenced by such factors.

All candidates for hire must undergo drug screening.

For further information about this vacancy, contact:

Tiffany Waddell

Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry

5825 Florida Blvd., Suite 1001

Baton Rouge, LA 70806

twaddell@ldaf.state.la.us