Urbana Forester/Volunteer Coordinator, Indiana Department of Natural Resources

Please see the information below regarding the job opening with Indiana Department of Natural Resources. 

• The position is housed at the Natural Resources Education Center at Fort Harrison State Park in Indianapolis, IN.
• Applicants will need to establish a Profile in the State Personnel Department’s online recruiting tool. http://www.in.gov/spd/2334.htm
• Once a profile has been completed you will be applying for Job ID 576408.

Purpose of Position/Summary:

The purpose of the urban forester/volunteer coordinator(UVC) is to provide technical inventory and tree planting assistance to volunteers to expand private and other non-governmental efforts to improve the practice of urban forestry on a statewide basis. This involves working with volunteers (non-profit groups, citizen organizations, service groups, tree boards and others donating their time).

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

-Promote and expand Tree Stewards.
-Develop, plan, and carry out workshops.
-Provide tree inventory expertise, assistance, and training to municipal volunteers.
-Research and secure non traditional opportunities to display CUF info.
-Maintain inventory and grant databases.
-Monitor and inspect CUF funded tree planting projects.
-Outreach to non profits involved in urban forestry.
-Provide assistance and appropriate information to customers.
-Organize, contact, and supervise Tree Stewards volunteers for CUF tasks.

Nonessential Duties/Responsibilities:

 -Grant evaluations.

Job Requirements:

-Bachelor's Degree
-Background in forestry, or natural resources with a willingness to learn urban forestry.
-Knowledge of urban forestry tools and equipment.
-Working knowledge of technical equipment such as computers, LCD projectors, tree inventory tools, and inventory software.
-Communication skills, presentation skills.
-General knowledge of disease and insect threats in an urban forestry environment.
- Ability to become an ISA Certified Arborist or maintain existing accredition as such.

Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports:

The  UVC supervises volunteers only.

Difficulty of Work:

The UVC conducts workshops which can mean long hours, overnight travel and a large amount of driving to workshop locations.  The UVC does tree inspections in all types of weather.  The UVC may help with tree planting projects,  which could involve heavy lifting, carrying of equipment, and being in the vicinity of large equipment. 

Responsibility:

Incumbent works independently and is responsible for coordinating and implementing volunteer urban forestry program statewide. Incumbent is responsible for recruiting, training and retaining volunteers for the Community and Urban Forestry Program.  The incumbent consults with the Community and Urban Forestry Coordinator and the  Assistant State Forester and support personnel, but is free to exercise authority and common sense to develop strategies and make decisions to accomplish program objectives within established policy and regulations.  Community and Urban Forestry Program Coordinator periodically reviews program accomplishments, develops or approves annual work plan, provides direction and guidance on an as-needed basis, and provides problem resolution assistance in complex cases.

Personal Work Relationships:

The UVC works with DoF, CUF staff regularly, and serves on various committees.  At various time, the UVC works with volunteers, tree board members, urban forestry professionals, neighborhood residents, municipalities, universities, and other DoF, DNR employees.

Physical Effort:

Physical effort required is heavy lifting of trees, boxes, equipment, mailings, pamphlets, etc.  Tree planting inspections require using tools to dig into soils and root balls and using sharp tools. The UVC may help with inventories, which means lots of walking and being subjected to the elements.

Working Conditions:

The working conditions of the UVC varies.  TIme is spent in a shared office environment, in front of a computer.  Tree inspections are out in the elements, around cities/towns or in parks and along highways.  Workshops are at various locations with sessions being held inside and outside.