Forest Inventory & Analysis Interim Forester

This position is with the Tennessee Division of Forestry (TDF) Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) Program. This FIA unit is part of a nationwide U.S. Forest Service program that collects, processes, analyzes, evaluates, and publishes comprehensive information on forest resources. Field-based measurements occur on permanent plots located on a systematic grid across public and private ownership. FIA foresters collect data about tree measurements, forest health parameters, understory vegetation composition, habitat types, down dead woody material, silvicultural practices, natural disturbances, and land ownership. The FIA Forester works in a two-person crew and reports to the FIA Program Specialist.

The FIA Forester will primarily work from the Knoxville work station. However, plots are located statewide, and foresters may be sent to assist data collection in other areas of Tennessee on an as-needed basis. F

IA foresters must be willing to work in challenging terrain, travel to remote plot locations (sometimes overnight), and plan their work according to weather conditions. The work schedule has built-in flexibility during the Monday-Friday work week to accommodate weather-related impediments, and some weekend and overnight travel may occur. Data is collected to defined standards, and data quality is confirmed by the U.S. Forest Service. Standards of performance must be demonstrated annually to maintain data collection certification. The Forest FIA Specialist will provide training and support during the certification process. Loss of certification could result in job termination. 

This job posting is for one FIA Interim Forester 1. This interim position may be occupied for up to two years. An applicant appointed to this position will be reclassified to Forester 2 after successful completion of a mandatory one-year training period. Interim Foresters may apply to one of the four FIA (Full) Forester positions as they become available.