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Service Forester

South Dakota State Government

Pierre, SD

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JOB DETAILS
SALARY
$22.98–$24.13 Per Hour
SKILLS
Agriculture, Arboriculture, ArcGIS, Biology, Biometrics, Botany, Communication Skills, Community Programs, Conservation, Data Collection, Disease, Disease Prevention and Control, Driver's License, Establish Priorities, Federal Laws and Regulations, Forestry, Forestry and Logging Machinery, GPS (Global Positioning System), Gardening, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Grant Awards, Graphics Software, Horticulture, Hydrology, ISA Standards, Identify Issues, Microsoft Office, Natural Resources, Plant Physiology, Presentation/Verbal Skills, Project Design, Record Keeping, Research Skills, Risk Management, Search Technology, Silviculture, State Laws and Regulations, Telephone Skills, Time Management, Topography, Truck Driver, Willing to Travel
LOCATION
Pierre, SD
POSTED
26 days ago
Job ID: 35758
Agency: Department of Agriculture & Natural Resources - Resource Conservation and Forestry Division
Location:Pierre, SDSalary: $22.98-$24.13/hr, depending on qualifications
Pay Grade: H
Closing Date: 05/28/2026

This position will be part of the division's Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) team and will coordinate sub-awards grant programs with the UCF staff across the state.

As the Service Forester you will:
  • evaluate tree health and management issues in towns and communities;
  • provide technical advice to local communities, tree boards, private landowners/homeowners, conservation districts, other agencies, and organizations;
  • assist with special urban forestry field projects;
  • participate in meetings, and workshops concerning urban forestry;
  • assist with the community enhancement grants;
  • assist communities to conduct urban tree inventories;
  • coordinate and conduct tree care workshops;
  • respond to sick tree calls;
  • tree insect and disease management;
  • assist communities with establishing and/or maintaining a community forestry program;
  • prepare, review, and approve shelterbelt tree planting plans;
  • other duties as assigned.

Normal work hours will be 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. This is a full-time position. Day travel is frequent, and overnight trips will average about 2-3 nights per month. Some air travel may be required to attend meetings or trainings out-of-state. This position will involve outdoor work and the ability to walk for extended distances on rough terrain.

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

Licenses and Certifications:
  • International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist once the individual has met the ISA certification requirements (Required to obtain and maintain).
  • Pesticide application certificate from the State of South Dakota (Required to obtain and maintain).
  • Valid driver's license (Required to have and maintain).

The Ideal Candidate Will Have:
  • A Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry, Urban Forestry or a related natural resources profession (may be substituted for education and experience if that experience has prepared you to successfully carry out the duties of this position as outlined)
  • A working knowledge of geographic information systems (ArcGIS) (Highly desirable).

Knowledge of:
  • urban and community forestry programs;
  • project design and management;
  • dendrology;
  • arboriculture;
  • biology;
  • biometrics and botany;
  • forest mensuration;
  • horticulture, hydrology, plant physiology, and silviculture;
  • federal and state forestry laws and regulations, and department policies and procedures;
  • identification of tree species and diseases, correct planting and pruning techniques, and care of trees;
  • tree biology, soil management, tree protection, tree risk management;
  • agroforestry - especially windbreaks and riparian buffers;
  • forest certification programs.

Skill to use a variety of forestry tools and equipment:
  • clinometers;
  • diameter tapes;
  • prisms;
  • increment borers;
  • Biltmore sticks;
  • measuring wheel;
  • compass
  • data recorders;
  • hypsometers;
  • global positioning systems to collect data.
  • As well as the skill to interpret data derived from the use of these tools.

Ability to:
  • work productively in a remote field location with limited supervision;
  • prioritize work to complete all assigned tasks correctly and on-time;
  • drive a 4-wheel drive truck in a variety of weather conditions;
  • 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;
  • write professional and technical reports that can be understood by both professional and lay persons;
  • deal tactfully with others;
  • communicate effectively both orally and in writing;
  • work independently with minimal supervision, or with a group in a team setting;
  • establish and maintain working relationships with co-workers and the public;
  • keep records;
  • diagnose tree health problems and determine the appropriate action to address tree planting and tree care needs.

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=3YW
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