Full-time Forester

Hiring Organization: Oscoda Conservation District
Employment type: Full-Time
Job Location: Mio, MI
Application Due Date: September 18, 2025

The Oscoda Conservation District is seeking an Outreach Forester to work with the Forestry Assistance Program (FAP). The mission of the FAP Forester is to help landowners better plan, manage, protect, and utilize their forest resources. The individual hired for this position provides information, education, and technical assistance to private forest landowners, local governments, and other citizens on forestry issues including timber and wildlife habitat management, forest health, and tree planting. The Forester will also facilitate enrollment in State and USDA programs such as the Forest Stewardship Program (FSP), the state tax reduction program known as Qualified Forest Program (QFP) and Forest, Wetlands and Habitat-A-Syst system of the Conservation Technical Assistance Program (CTAP)

The Forester will cover three (3) Conservation districts of Crawford-Roscommon, Ogemaw and Oscoda. Duties will be performed under the direction of the Oscoda Conservation District Executive Director and the FAP advisory committee. This position has a yearly salary/benefit range of $43,000 - $50,000 depending on education and experience.

The minimum requirements for this position are:

Bachelor of Science degree in forestry from an SAF-accredited college or university.
Excellent interpersonal and public communication skills (working with individuals of all ages, public speaking, writing)
Proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite and GIS programs
Required use of a good working personal vehicle (mileage reimbursement provided)
Ability to read and create various types of maps (aerial, topography, soils) and navigate through properties, accordingly
Ability to assist Conservation District (CD) and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) staff to achieve deliverables as well as short- and long-term goals for the Conservation Districts and NRCS
Able to pass a federal background check

Duties:

Serve as initial point of contact for non-industrial private forest landowners for forest management, wildlife habitat, forest health, invasives and ever-changing natural resource issues.
Meet and provide landowners on-site with land and resource evaluation.
Fulfill grant agreement requirements and deliverables.
Assist clients with development of goals for Forest and Wildlife Resources.
Prepare written follow-up that may include appropriate handouts/materials after visiting with landowners on-site.
Advise customers on tree planting/reforestation for timber production, windbreaks, and wildlife habitat.
Promote, assist, and attend with each District's tree sale.
Many of the Districts landowners are absentee, therefore, Forester must be able to meet with them times other than normal working hours for which they will accrue compensatory time.
Administer the Qualified Forest Program in Ogemaw, Oscoda, Crawford and Roscommon Counties for MDARD
Diagnose and advise clients on the control of invasives, insects, disease, and wildlife pests for individual trees and woodlands.
Educate and advise landowners on best management practices to protect soil and water resources.
Provide information and make referrals regarding programs, agencies, organizations, and private sector interests that furnish technical and/or financial assistance for natural resource management activities.
Conduct forestry-related demonstrations, and outreach events for all ages.
12. Prepare correspondence, reports, news articles, newsletter.
Assist with preparation of the program documentation, including, but not limited to: grant applications, plan of work, monthly and annual reports, etc.
Fulfill grant agreement requirements and deliverables.
Maintain a good working relationship with other forestry assistance providers, both public and private.
If not already certified, pursue certification with Society of American Foresters (SAF).
Develop partnership with staffs of Conservation Districts and USDA-NRCS to accomplish program goals and deliverables.

To Apply: Send an application packet to the Oscoda Conservation District.

The packet should arrive by 8:00 a.m. on September 18, 2025. Your application packet should include:

A cover letter detailing why you wish to work in outreach forestry.
Your resume detailing your work history and areas of expertise.
A copy of your college transcripts (Note: upon an offer of employment, the candidate must furnish an official transcript. Official transcripts are those sent directly from the educational institution to the employer).
Three references who can attest to your ability to work.

By Email (be sure to label ALL files with your name): oscodaconservation@gmail.com

By Surface Mail: Oscoda Conservation District Attn: Morgan Anderson P.O. Box 820, Mio MI 48647

The successful candidate will begin work as soon as possible. ** THERE WILL BE A NON-COMPETE CLAUSE IN THE WORKING AGREEMENT FOR THIS POSITION – NO OTHER PAID FORESTRY WORK MAY BE DONE BY THE OUTREACH FORESTER **