Job Details

Overview

State of Tennessee FIA Regional Forester. Under general supervision, is responsible for professional forestry and/or fire management work of considerable difficulty in planning, directing, and administering forestry programs; and performs related work as required.

Location: Department of Agriculture, Forestry Operations Division, Davidson County, TN. Location of position: Davidson County. Working Title: FIA Regional Forester.

Opening Date/Time: 09/30/2025 12:00 AM Central Time
Closing Date/Time: 10/13/2025 11:59 PM Central Time

Salary: $4,517.00 monthly ($54,204.00 annually). Job Type: Full-Time.

Education transcript or curriculum requirements include forestry or a similar natural resource program that covers dendrology, forest measurements, silviculture, and forest management. A copy of forestry transcript or equivalent may be requested.

Location note: Department of Agriculture, Forestry Operations Division, Davidson County.

Agency notes: This position may involve responsibilities such as wildland fire activities, forest health, urban forestry, timber sale administration, water quality monitoring, GIS analysis, and coordination with other agencies and partners.

Responsibilities

• Supervises and schedules daily activities for subordinates (e.g., fire prevention, facility maintenance, forestry programs, state forest activities, vendor services).
• Supervises subordinates technically and administratively; conducts performance evaluations; develops training to maintain knowledge of internal policies and procedures; identifies development opportunities.
• Provides technical forestry expertise to agency personnel, other government agencies, and the public regarding forestry practices and forestland management decisions.
• Develops and interprets forest management plan information (site index, basal area, soil information, and other variables) to support sound management decisions.
• Interprets and communicates regulations to agencies and citizens regarding state forest rules and burning regulations; assists in communicating rules of other agencies.
• Gathers feedback from employees, landowners, the public, and other agencies to inform actions; may make recommendations on public use of state forest (road access, restrictions, recreation, permits) based on impacts and safety.
• Collaborates with other state agencies and partners to coordinate conservation activities across multiple counties.
• Assists urban and community partners in developing urban forest management plans, providing technical assistance for urban forest health, and facilitating urban forestry incentive programs.
• Assists in wildland fire response and prescribed fire activities; supports all-hazard incidents.
• Participates in field activities such as timber cruising, boundary inspections, forest health work, and timber sale setup on challenging terrain.
• Collects and analyzes forest inventory data, delineates forest management units, and documents conditions based on data variables.
• Develops public use areas and trails on state property and collaborates with agencies and the public to support public use initiatives.
• Conducts timber sale administration and ensures compliance with state policies during disposition of state property.
• Monitors logging activities and performs water quality checks, ensuring BMPs and regulations are followed; facilitates resolution of water quality complaints.
• Develops forest management plans for multiple-use objectives and maintains project records and state forest management documentation.
• Uses GIS software to analyze spatial data, develop mapping products, create forest management plans, and manage data for reporting.
• Maintains productive working relationships with emergency personnel, other state agencies, and outside organizations.
• Communicates with the public and various agencies to provide information about Division programs and services; prepares and presents to external groups (county forestry associations, civic groups, schools, emergency management).
• Attends required training and maintains applicable safety, firefighting, and pesticide application certifications.

Qualifications

Education and Experience: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in forestry or a similar natural resource curriculum that includes dendrology, forest measurements, silviculture, and forest management, plus experience equivalent to two years of professional forestry, wildlife, natural resources, or related work.

Substitution of Education for Experience: Graduate course work in forestry, wildlife, natural resources, or related fields may substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis, up to a maximum of one year (e.g., 12 graduate semester hours may substitute for one year).

Necessary Special Qualifications: Applicants for this class must:

• Possess and maintain a valid driver's license in some positions.
• Possess and maintain a Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certification in some positions.
• Pass a physical fitness test for participation in wildland and prescribed fire activities in some positions.

Examination Method: Education and Experience, 100% for Preferred Service positions.

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Tools

• Competencies: Decision Quality; Functional/Technical Competency; Problem Solving; Planning; Directing Others; Time Management; Timely Decision Making; Presentation Skills; Written Communications; Customer Focus
• Knowledge: Administration and Management; Biology; Ecology; Silviculture; Dendrology; Mensuration; Computers and Electronics; Geography; Geology; Mathematics; Fire Science; Forest Health; Communications and Media
• Skills: Active Learning; Active Listening; Critical Thinking; Mathematics; Monitoring; Reading Comprehension; Speaking; Writing; Coordination; Instructing; Negotiation; Persuasion; Social Perceptiveness; Judgment and Decision Making; Management of Financial Resources; Time Management
• Abilities: Deductive Reasoning; Inductive Reasoning; Mathematical Reasoning; Memorization; Number Facility; Oral Comprehension; Problem Sensitivity; Spatial Orientation; Visualization; Written Comprehension; Written Expression; Extent Flexibility; Gross Body Coordination; Gross Body Equilibrium; Stamina; Depth Perception; Far Vision; Near Vision; Speech Clarity
• Tools and Equipment: Global Positioning System; Office Equipment; Video Conferencing; Radio Systems; Phone Systems; Safety Equipment; Calculator; Motor Vehicles; Laser Measuring Device; Forestry Tools; Fireline Equipment; GPS/Survey Equipment; Data Recorders; Pesticide Application Equipment

Driver Standards: State of Tennessee positions that may involve driving often require the following minimum qualifications: a valid driver's license; and a driver record with no DUI, reckless driving, license suspension for moving violations, or more than 4 moving violations in the past five years. Include your Driver's License Information under the Licenses and Certifications section of your application.

Note: Agencies may allow exceptions based on other factors.