Closing Date:  5/20/2024 11:59 PM Eastern

THE POSITION

Are you someone who is truly passionate about our local forests and natural resources? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you to make a difference by joining the Rural and Community Forestry Division of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. By becoming a part of our team, you will have the chance to contribute towards the conservation and preservation of the northern region of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Take the first step towards making a positive impact on our environment and apply today! 

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

The purpose of this position is to further the goals of the Bureau of Forestry's Urban & Community Forestry Program, specifically in the northern region of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. This program seeks to educate citizens and increase quality of life for Pennsylvanians in urban/suburban settings through tree planting and tree care work. The urban and community forestry program helps citizens understand the myriad benefits of planting trees, the importance of keeping existing trees in the community healthy, and the value of sufficient tree canopy. The program also encourages and provides outlets for citizens and municipalities to take action to improve their urban and community forest and increase local capacity and trust-building within communities.   Specifically, the Chesapeake Bay Community Tree Specialist will:

• Guide and manage the TreeVitalize program in the Chesapeake Bay region, building partnerships and providing leadership and coordination among the TreeVitalize partners in the bay watershed.
• Creatively and equitably engage the public and new partners in the Bay.
• Build capacity for a minimum of 5 cities/towns at the local tree level to provide staffing assistance, ordinance advising, creation of advocacy groups, and creation or updates of canopy plans.
• Provide strategic input and direction, assistance, and information to the State TreeVitalize staff about work in the Chesapeake Bay region.
• Planting and survival verification work.

The northern position has flexible HQS with the following specific addresses as options.

Weiser State Forest Resource Management Center 16 Weiser Lane Aristes, PA 17920 Columbia County   Delaware Forest District 2774A Route 611 Swiftwater, PA 18370 Monroe County   Tiadaghton Resource Management Center 10 Lower Pine Bottom Road Waterville, PA 17776 Lycoming County   Rachel Carson State Office Building 400 Market Street Harrisburg, PA 17105 Dauphin County

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment.
• Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with 30-minute lunch.
• *Telework: *You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time up to 5 days per pay period. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the selected headquarters office.
• Alternate Work Schedule is available. 
• Salary:* *In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Two years of professional experience in natural resource management or natural resource education; and a bachelor's degree in natural resource management, parks and recreation, education, biology, forestry, ecology, geosciences, environmental sciences, or a closely related field; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training.

*Other Requirements *

• You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency. 
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

*Legal Requirements: *

• You must pass a background investigation.
• This position falls under the provisions of the Child Protective Services Law.
  • Under the Law, a conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports including, but not limited to, PA State Police clearance, PA Child Abuse history clearance, and FBI Fingerprint clearance.

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will *not *be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.  
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date*. *Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• *Failure to comply with the above application requirements will eliminate you from consideration for this position. *

*Veterans: *

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.employment.pa.gov/Additional%20Info/Pages/default.aspx and click the Veterans' Preference tab or contact us at ra-cs-vetpreference@pa.gov.

*Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS): *

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.    The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply. 

EXAMINATION INFORMATION

Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a wr