Massachusetts Green Jobs

/Position Information:/ /Seasonal Forestry Assistant/ /Location: Amherst Field Office, Amherst/ /4/9/2023 - 11/18/2023 (32 weeks)/ /Number of vacancies: 1/ About the Department of Conservation and Recreation: The Department of Conservation and Recreation is responsible for the protection of natural resources across Massachusetts and manages one of the largest parks systems in the nation. DCR is a dynamic agency with over 450,000 acres of parks, forests, water supply protection lands, beaches, lakes, ponds, playgrounds, swimming pools, skating rinks, trails and parkways. The Department of Conservation and Recreation seeks qualified applicants for the position: Seasonal Forestry Assistant, Community Wood Bank Program Seasonal positions are represented under collective bargaining agreements and may be subject to a recall process. Positions not filled using this process will be interviewed for. Forestry Assistants work outdoors in all types of weather including rain and heat; work in isolated areas; may be exposed to the hazards of power tools and equipment such as chainsaws, log splitters, wheel loaders, and travel for job related purposes. Wood banks provide tangible social benefits from forests and address climate change. Firewood manufactured at wood banks is used to overcome energy poverty in rural communities. This position builds local capacity to provide a just transition during a time of rising costs associated with fossil fuels. General Duties: The Department works with 8 towns and community organizations across Massachusetts to address energy poverty by recycling storm damaged trees into firewood. The successful applicant will be responsible for expanding services into new communities as well as running day-to-day operations. The work will involve a balanced mix of community organizing and physical labor processing firewood. Applicants should have strong interpersonal communication skills and be comfortable completing strenuous arboricultural work. The successful applicant will be responsible for supervising and mentoring an emerging professional in the DCR Professional Pathways into Forestry program. Safety in the workplace is a top priority for department staff. Successful applicants will be required to maintain a clean working environment. Chainsaw experience is preferred. A familiarity with various firewood processing equipment including log splitters and firewood processors is helpful. Administrative responsibilities include conducting procurements for program supplies, requesting purchase orders, submitting invoices, maintaining accurate production records, scheduling maintenance, purchasing fuel, documenting wood moisture content, timesheet submissions, and milage reports. Communication skills are key to building community capacity at wood banks. The successful applicant will be frequently in contact with town tree committee members, NGO partners, and members of the public. Attention to detail, active listening, and concise written communication are desirable. Applicants will be responsible for documenting program achievements and submitting them for posting on social media and the department website. Successful applicants will need to use a government issued computer to complete work tasks. Basic competency is required in the usage of applications including Outlook, Excel, Word, and Powerpoint. Weather in Massachusetts from April to November can be challenging for an outdoor job. Rain is a persistent variable requiring innovative adaptation. Staff will be expected to work in light rain unless conditions create an unsafe work environment. Conditions change during the workday and successful applicants will need to determine in the field if it is possible to work safely. Heat, humidity, and sun exposure also present challenges to staff working at wood banks. Applicants may choose to modify their schedule with an early start to avoid mid-day heat. Mechanical issues do arise when staff are working to process firewood. Applicants will need to differentiate between minor and major mechanical issues and take appropriate action to resolve the situation based on training, operating procedures, and common sense. Often minor issues need to be resolved with limited tools available. Minor issues include clearing flooded engines, sharpening saw chains, jammed conveyors, and clogged carburetors. Driving light-duty state vehicles is required. Applicants must have a class D drivers license. Drivers representing the Commonwealth will be courteous and safe. Vehicles are monitored by GPS for speed and idling. The program uses a Ford F250 and various trailers under 10,000 lbs GVWR. Experience backing up trailers is preferable. Performs related duties as assigned. This requisition will remain open until filled; however, first consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days. * * Minimum Entrance Requirements: Applicants must have at least (A) one year of full-time, or equivalent part-time experience in forestry or natural resource management, or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below. * * Substitutions: I. An Associate's or higher degree with a major in forestry or forestry management may be substituted for the required experience.* Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed. Special Requirements: Possession of a current and valid Massachusetts Class D Motor Vehicle Operator's License. *Executive Order #595:As a condition of employment, successful applicants will be required to have received COVID-19 vaccination or an approved exemption as of their start date. Details relating to demonstrating compliance with this requirement will be provided to applicants selected for employment. Applicants who receive an offer of employment who can provide documentation that the vaccine is medically contraindicated or who object to vaccination due to a sincerely held religious belief may make a request for exemption. An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. Job: Agriculture* *Organization: Department of Conservation & Recreation *Title: *Seasonal Forestry Assistant - Community Wood Bank Program - Amherst Location: Massachusetts-Amherst-395 West Street Requisition ID: 230003MQ