Forestry and Fuels Technician I

Implements all forestry functions of the Ruidoso Forestry Department as assigned. Implements Forestry projects, programs, policies and ordinances to serve the Village, citizens, and visitors in the areas of forest and forest fuels management. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily.

Under supervision of the Director of Forestry, implements all aspects of the Ruidoso Forestry Program. This is a Non-exempt position. Work hours are 40 hours per week; however specific hours will be determined by the Director. This may include some nights and weekends. This position entails considerable initiative and independent judgment and the ability to work with other Village Departments and Landowners to accomplish the forestry program goals and objectives. Essential Job Functions
The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position

• Responsible for daily assistance to the Forestry Director/Department in implementing projects, programs, policies, and ordinances, to serve the Village, its citizens, and visitor in the areas of forestry and fuels management including but not limited to protection, watershed quality, defensible space, fuel breaks, landscaping, pest and disease issues, and healthy forest restoration and maintenance.
• Daily implementing all aspects of the Forestry Department's programs including meeting with landowners, marking prescriptions, giving cost share presentations and overseeing contracts.
• Closely coordinates appointments with the Forestry Office Manager who schedules appointments and maintains an appointment schedule.
• Regular attendance is an essential function of this job to ensure continuity of services.
• Responsible for managing scheduled appointments and meetings and showing up on time and prepared for all appointments and meeting.
• Enforces ordinances that protect forest health and achieve desired fuels management.
• Creates and maintains forest treatments and defensible space requirements that include natural landscape opportunities; and assess and make recommendations for pest and disease issues.
• Provides public awareness and consultation to other Village departments and public regarding all aspects of forestry management, diagnosis of forest heath, pest and disease issues, and site development procedures and requirements.
• Reviews site development plans for ordinance compliance including: tree density requirements; and tree replacement requirements.
• Conducts field inspections and recommends compliance for all properly treated residential and commercial properties.
• Evaluates and makes recommendation for hazard tree removal on Village owned and Private property as defined by Ordinance.
• Assists Director in developing and implementing annual work plan for the accomplishment of the Forestry Program.
• Participates in periodic community involvement programs relating to forest and wild-fire issues.
• Efficiently prepares, presents and executes cost share agreements with landowners.
• Exhibits professional appearance and dress, independent thinking, responsiveness, and excellent customer service.
• Utilizes personal protective equipment as specified in the Departmental work hazard analysis.
• Regular attendance is an essential function of this job to ensure continuity of services. Responsible for ensuring a productive and positive attitude and work environment, and Professional actions foster confidentiality of customers and coworkers.

Other Responsibilities or Job Requirements

• Assists Fire department in wild-land fires as needed in capacity other than suppression.
• Works as liaison with other public entities in cooperation with management of our forest and land.
• Implements and supports safety policies/procedures and attends safety training as required.
• Completes personal timesheet accurately and timely enters time into Employee Self Service software weekly and ensures time is reported based on actual time worked.
• Submits reports to Director as instructed.
• Notifies Director of any real or perceived problems related to the Forestry Department. Ensures computer is backed up once a month.
• Adheres to all the Village of Ruidoso's policies not limited to IT, Purchasing, Travel, and Personnel Policies. Reports any on-the job accident or injury immediately to the Director and follows up with appropriate forms and actions. Reports immediately any incidents of harassment to the appropriate Village official and reports any suspected fraud and/or abuse to the Director or Village Manager.
• Attend meetings, trainings, and workshops as directed.
• The above statements are not a complete list of all responsibilities and duties performed by employees in this job. As a condition of employment, employees are required to perform other related duties and special projects as assigned.

Physical Demands

• Ability to maintain physical condition and stamina appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities which may include sitting or standing for extended periods of time, driving or riding in car, and operating assigned office equipment.
• Frequently walks 3 to 5 miles while surveying or marking trees, walks and works in Mountainous terrain, on steep slopes with uneven footing stepping over large rocks, downed trees etc.
• When required to assist in support capacity with forest fires may work in smoky environment.
• Occasionally cut trees up to 16 inches DBH.
• Ability to drive, occasionally long distances and in inclement weather with hazardous driving conditions.

Work Environment

• Frequently works outdoors in all types of weather.
• Ability to perform duties and adapt to flexible work schedules/may be called when needed and may work irregular schedules, long hours, weekends, and holidays.
• Noise level could be low to moderate high in work environment.

Travel Requirements
Normal travel - ability to travel for activities such as meetings, classes, and workshops in and out of the area. Must be able to travel by air as needed to attend training, conferences, and related activities and overnight travel as required.Prefer an Associate Degree in Natural Resources or related field with one-year experience and/or training related to Forestry, management, or High School Education or Equivalent and three years' experience in the area of Forestry, Fire, or Fuels Management required.

Must be able to pass criminal history checks. Must be willing to take and pass a drug/alcohol test and comply with agency "Drug Free" Policy.

License and/or Certifications:
Must possess and maintain valid New Mexico motor vehicle operator's permit of appropriate classification and endorsement as required. Must agree to maintain a satisfactory MVR and minimum requirement of insurability as required by law. MVR background checks will be conducted by the Village.Knowledge of: resource materials and references available to effectively execute the duties of the position; the principles, methods and techniques of forestry in this area; grants requirements to efficiently prepare and execute cost share agreements with landowners; xeriscaping; ARCGIS for mapping and record keeping, Microsoft Windows and Office Products.

Skill in: Tree and vegetation removal and planting; understanding and interpreting forest contracts, ordinances, regulations, standards and guidelines; using computers, possess and demonstrated ability in operations of Microsoft Windows environment, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook; public speaking; communication in person, in writing, and by phone; establish and maintain routine working relationships with the public and employees. Negotiating and diffusing difficult situations.

Ability to: balance a variety of duties, to prioritize, and meet deadlines required; understand and interpret forest contracts, ordinances, regulations, standards, and guidelines; establish and maintain routine working relationships with the public, and employees.

Closing Statements

• Any position that lists a minimum qualification for education level and/or license/certification will require the applicant to provide proof of documentation if selected for hire into the position.
• In the event of an emergency, employees are required to work to provide for the safety and well-being of the public, including the delivery and restoration of vital services.
• This job description is subject to change as the needs of the organization and Department change or the requirements of this position change.