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Service Forester

South Dakota State Government

Lead, SD

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JOB DETAILS
SALARY
SKILLS
Agriculture, Arboriculture, Biology, Biometrics, Botany, Communication Skills, Conservation, Data Analysis, Disease, Disease Prevention and Control, Driver's License, Ecology, Economic Planning, Entomology, Federal Laws and Regulations, Forestry, Forestry and Logging Machinery, GPS (Global Positioning System), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Graphics Software, Horticulture, Hydrology, Local Government, Microsoft Office, Natural Resources, Pathology, Plant Physiology, Presentation/Verbal Skills, Project Design, Research Skills, Search Technology, Silviculture, State Laws and Regulations, Stewardship, Team Lead/Manager, Technical Support, Time Management, Topography, Training/Teaching, Truck Driver, Willing to Travel
LOCATION
Lead, SD
POSTED
17 days ago
Job ID: 35803
Agency: Department of Agriculture & Natural Resources - Resource Conservation and Forestry Division
Location:Lead, SDSalary: $24.13/hr
Pay Grade: H
Closing Date: 05/21/2026

This position will be part of the rural forestry team within the division. Direction for activities on special projects and reporting will be given by the rural forestry team leader and program administrator. Daily activities are dictated by the number of contacts and/or projects. This position is responsible for their own scheduling and time management outside special projects and required division activities and therefore the selected candidate must be a self-starter.

Duties of the Service Forester include:
  • forest management assistance;
  • coordinate and administer forestry activities and programs with landowners, local government agencies, and conservation districts;
  • provide technical assistance;
  • write forest stewardship plans;
  • provide educational information to ensure effective conservation practices related to trees, forests, and the protection of the state's resources;
  • tree insect and disease identification and management.

Normal work hours will be 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. This is a full-time position. Day travel will be frequent, and overnight trips will average about 2-3 nights per month. Some air travel may be required to attend out-of-state meetings and/or trainings.

For more information on the Department of Agriculture & Natural Resources, please visit https://danr.sd.gov/ .

Licenses and Certifications:
  • Pesticide application certificate from the State of South Dakota (Required to obtain and maintain).
  • Must have a driver's license (Required to have and maintain).

The Ideal Candidate Will Have:
  • Formal education or experience in forestry, agroforestry, or a related natural resource field (experience may be substituted for education if that experience has prepared the candidate to successfully carry out the duties of this position).
  • Ability to explain complex forestry concepts and practices in common terms.

Knowledge of:
  • agroforestry designs and principles;
  • dendrology;
  • arboriculture;
  • biology;
  • biometrics;
  • botany;
  • forest ecology, mensuration;
  • forest entomology and forest pathology;
  • geographic information systems (ArcPro);
  • horticulture, hydrology, plant physiology, and silviculture;
  • state and federal laws regulating the use of pesticides;
  • forest fire management, forest insects and diseases, tree biology, forest economics, forest planning;
  • project design and management, urban forestry, agroforestry, and forest certification programs.

Skill to use a variety of forestry tools and equipment:
  • clinometers;
  • diameter tapes;
  • prisms;
  • increment borers;
  • cruiser axes;
  • data recorders;
  • Biltmore stick;
  • hypsometers;
  • measuring wheel;
  • compass;
  • global positioning systems.

Ability to:
  • drive a 4-wheel drive truck and an ATV in a variety of weather conditions;
  • use forestry tools for measuring purposes;
  • conduct literature and technical reference searches;
  • conduct soil survey research;
  • use and interpret topographic maps;
  • use Microsoft Office Suite;
  • use digital graphic software, mapping programs, and GPS information uploading, downloading, and interpretation;
  • analyze extensive resource data and draw logical conclusions from that data;
  • write professional and technical reports that can be understood by both professional and lay persons;
  • speak at public meetings;
  • deal tactfully with others;
  • communicate effectively both orally and in writing;
  • work independently with minimal supervision, or with a group in a team setting.

This position is eligible for Veterans' Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.

NCRC: If you possess a National Career Readiness Certificate, please submit the certificate with your application. For more information on how to acquire a National Career Readiness Certificate contact a South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation Job Service Office. A certificate is not necessary to be considered.

The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.

The State of South Dakota offers $0 premium employee health insurance option plus eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information here . This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.

Must apply online: https://gen-stateofsouthdako-trn.inforcloudsuite.com/hcm/xmlhttp/shorturl.do?key=3YX
You must apply online, emailed resumes or submissions will not be accepted.
South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources
Telephone: 605.773.3148 Email: careers@state.sd.us
http://bhr.sd.gov/workforus
"An Equal Opportunity Employer"

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About the Company

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South Dakota State Government