2025 Seasonal Forestry Assistant - Forest Legacy Program Clinton, MA

About Conservation and Resource Stewardship:

DCR places are special. It starts with the conservation and stewardship of our Commonwealth's unique and significant landscapes. Outdoor recreation invites all to experience these resources and see what makes Massachusetts special. It is the purpose of the Conservation and Resource Stewardship team to ensure these lands are available for future generations. It is our passion to create a sense of place at DCR that will foster a culture of stewardship.

About the Bureau of Forest Fire Control & Forestry:

The Bureau of Forest Fire Control & Forestry offers programs to promote, protect and enhance healthy and diverse wooded and urban forests throughout our Commonwealth including grant opportunities for urban forestry and volunteer fire assistance, staff assistance to municipalities for fire control, consulting forestry and forest stewardship for private lands, oversight of forest health issues including insect and disease control and storm related response, regulatory guidance on timber harvests as well as forest management and timber sales on state lands.

ABOUT THE POSITION:

The Massachusetts Forest Legacy Program holds over 80 Conservation Restrictions (CRs) throughout the Commonwealth. The Forestry Assistant's primary responsibility will be to monitor those CRs. In addition, the Forestry Assistant will assist Forest Legacy and Stewardship staff on related projects as needed.

Specific duties include:

• Conducting detailed field inspections of CRs and meeting with CR landowners as needed.

• Documenting existing conditions on CRs using photography, GPS technology, and thorough notes.

• Preparing detailed monitoring reports based on field inspections as needed.

• Using geographic information systems software (ArcGIS) to develop maps of CRs as needed.

• Maintaining various logs and records, including Forest Legacy Information System (FLIS) data entrees and updates.

• Working cooperatively with other Land Acquisition and Stewardship Staff on a variety of projects as needed.

• Communicating with Conservation Commissions and Land Trusts who monitor Forest Legacy Program CRs.

• Other related duties for the Bureau of Forestry as required.

Qualifications:

Minimum Entrance Requirements: None.
Special Requirements: None.

Preferred Qualifications:

Undergraduate degree in Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, Ecology, Biology, Forestry, or Wildlife Biology.

Knowledge of and familiarity with Conservation Restrictions

Knowledge of the principles and practices of assessing environmental conditions including the ability to recognize potentially harmful environmental conditions.

Experience using hand-held GPS devices and digital cameras.

Ability to read and understand topographic maps, assessor plans, and survey plans.

Ability to use geographic information systems (i.e. ArcGIS and Google Maps) to create maps.

Ability to read, understand, interpret, and apply legal documents, technical literature, and regulations to conditions on a property.

Experience reviewing and writing reports including maps, photographs and narrative describing conditions on a property.

Knowledge of New England habitat types, native wildlife species, and invasive terrestrial plants.

Strong organizational skills.

A cover letter and resume must be submitted as part of the application process.

Qualifications

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.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.