REGIONAL FORESTER

Code: 02654 State Competitive Range: R25 (FY 2027) Work week NL: FLSA exemptOvertime table (4A:3, Appx. A)

Salary: $79,843.57 - $117,227.97/year FY 2027 schedule (last updated 2026-07-27)

Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.

Definition

Under the direction of a Supervising Forester, or other higher level supervisory officer in the Bureau of Forest Management, Division of Parks and Forestry, Department of Environmental Protection, either (a) supervises the implementation of forest management programs on state-owned forestland and is responsible for efforts which influence policies, programs, and retention of privately-owned forestland; or (b) acts as an authority in the scientific field of forestry by contributing to major problem-solving and supervision of forestry assistance programs and provides expert, technical advice to forestry supervisory personnel, the public and/or wood-using industries; prepares and signs official performance evaluations for subordinate staff; does related work as required.

Examples of work

• <i>(a) When assigned to a regional office:</i>
• Supervises all forest management activities in implementing, planning, and developing each state property within the respective region and other assigned areas.
• Is charged with the maintenance and protection of the forest to develop plans for State lands with silviculture as a primary objective.
• Has overall responsibility of field data collection, map production, and harvesting prescription for timber sale contracts. Collects monies, checks that insurance coverage requirements are met, and insures contract compliance.
• Assigns the volume quotas and oversees that areas are designated to meet the goals of the Homeowner Firewood Program.
• Formulates reforestation targets and reviews site preparation plans for State lands.
• Supervises the inspection and review of all timber harvesting plans on private property as required by the Pinelands Commission or other mandated authorities.
• Under the direction of the Information Education Officer in charge, carries out the Regional Information and Education Program; formulates Information and Education programs for landowner associations, citizen groups, schools and the general public.
• Recommends the volume levels of products harvested or State Forests and parks; supervises the planning and implementation of the sale of forest products.
• Supervises the production, sale, and distribution of State Forest Nursery seedlings for reforestation projects.
• (<i>b) When assigned to a staff position:</i>
• Supervises programs of forestry assistance concerning: forest management, insect and disease management, wood energy, product utilization and marketing, silviculture, forest genetics, acid deposition, and forest decline and forest resource policy.
• Insures that the review agencies (Office of Natural Lands Management, Park Regional Offices and Pineland Commission) assigned to inspect timber sale sites are notified of impending sales.
• Supervises site preparation and reforestation programs on State lands using targets and site preparation plans.
• Develops and carries out programs of silvicultural and marketing research.
• Supervises the planning, interpretation of forest soils, data collection, and mapping of prime forest lands; provides direction to county and municipal land-use managers in the application of the forestland capability maps.
• Assist in supervising the program to New Jersey's Forest Product Industry for encouraging the efficient procurement, manufacture, and marketing of wood and wood products.
• Assists in supervising the program of assistance to statewide industrial wood energy interests by providing technical assistance in raw material supply, system selection, conversion feasibility, and financing.
• Develops and implements and statewide "barter system" within the timber sales process to meet divisional wood product needs available through the management of State forest resources.
• Provides technical assistance to the State's wood-using industries in solving problems associated with residue utilization, processing recommendations, and product and market development.
• Prepares and maintains Statewide lists and directories including: lumber suppliers, kiln operators, equipment dealers, sawmills, secondary manufacturers, loggers, and other primary processors.
• Develops, writes, and administers funding grants for specialized forestry programs available from Federal sources to promote industrial wood energy and products industry assistance.
• Plans, supervises, and coordinates forest insect and disease programs within the State forest/park system.
• Determines the need and extent of suppression projects encompassing scientific methods to evaluate insect/disease populations through ground and aerial surveys through an understanding of host/predator inter-dependency.
• Prepares Environmental Impact Statements, site specific Environmental Assessments, financial plans, cost/benefit analyses, and Project Work and Safety Plans in conjunction with the U.S. Forest Service timetables.
• Prepares administrative reports in order to qualify for Federal funding of proposed suppression projects.
• Writes and periodically updates contracts which are binding between the State and aerial applicators.
• Plans and supervises the entire gypsy moth suppression program each spring.
• Coordinates all Forest Pest Control activities throughout the State; instructs foresters in the private and public sectors in proper insect/disease identification and control.
• <i>General</i>
• Supervises the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for employee evaluations and for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting and/or disciplining of employees.
• Provides additional staffing to the Forest Fire Service during periods of wildfire for suppression activities.
• Insures compliance with the harvesting requirements of the Pinelands Comprehensive Management Plan on State forests.
• Supervises the coordinates Federally funded projects involving the planning and implementation of special projects and making reports to insure that project goals are met for Agricultural Conservation Program, Forestry Incentives Program, Resource Conservation and Development, and Rural Forestry Assistance programs.
• Develops technical forestry standards and specifications for the State cost-sharing program authorized by the Agricultural Retention and Development Act of 1983 and ensures program compliance.
• Supervises the development of ordinances for local municipalities relating to forestry activities; provides needed information as outlined in the Urban Forestry Program on shade tree and municipal forest management.
• Supervises the construction and maintenance of roads into areas under forest management.
• Establishes cooperative working relationships with allied State and Federal Conservation agencies, public organizations, and associations.
• Develops guidelines and materials to reflect the Bureau's policy on forestry activities related to intradivisional environmental regulations affecting the management of forest resources.
• Appraises forest resource values on State lands due to theft, fire, insects, disease, environmental, or other catastrophic events.
• Supervises and completes timber sale prospectus, contracts, and amendments. Provides administrative review in the timber sales process and develops sale remittance considerations.
• May be assigned to special projects such as being appointed to the Board of Tree Experts, Resource Conservation and Development projects, the Coalition of Northeastern Governors (CONEG), and Environmental Review Team.
• Provides the public with information and current listings of professional forestry consultants.
• Supervises the preparation of clear, technically sound, accurate, and informative statistical and other reports of forest management and conservation matters containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Under emergency conditions, assumes the duties of the Supervising Forester, as required.
• Prepares articles, bulletins, reports, assessments, and listings needed to support and encourage the growth of New Jersey's Primary and Secondary Wood Products Industries.
• Prepares and maintains on-going records of harvesting activities on state lands for annual, interim assessments, budgets, and reports.
• Supervises the establishment and maintenance of essential forestry records and files for the region.
• May be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Education

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree or higher in Forestry, Natural Resource Management, Urban Forest Management, Silviculture, Forest Biometrics, or other closely related Forestry curriculum.

Experience

Three (3) years of professional and/or technical experience in silvicultural, forest management, and/or reforestation work; one (1) year of which shall have involved responsibility for program planning, implementation and/or supervision.

License

Appointee will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

Appointees may be required to possess a valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL) only if the operation of a vehicle is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of the procedures, methods, and techniques of modern forest management and of reforestation techniques.
• Knowledge of the techniques involved in selecting and marking timber tracts for sale, and in computing volumes for the purposes of preparing a bid prospectus.
• Knowledge of modern nursery practices as applied to the production of forest tree seedlings.
• Knowledge of the technical aspects of wood marketing and utilization.
• Knowledge with technical aspects of wood processing including harvesting, sawmilling, drying, grading, storage, sizing, and finishing wood into manufactured wood products.
• Knowledge in the application of wood energy systems including residential and industrial applications.
• Knowledge of insecticides, dosage rates, and health factors associated with application procedures.
• Knowledge in the range of available products and optimal State and regional markets for forest resources under management.
• Knowledge of aircraft categories and capabilities, mixing equipment, loading limits, swath widths, and calibration specifications.
• Knowledge of management and supervisory concepts and skills especially aimed at producing an effective and productive organization.
• Knowledge of insect and disease identification and their control for forest, shade, ornamental, or Christmas trees.
• Ability to supervise assigned staff and plan, organize, and implement projects within the unit.
• Ability to acquire wide knowledge of the programs, policies, standards, and procedures of the Bureau of Forest Management.
• Ability to acquire knowledge of the rules, regulations, policies, standards, and procedures of the Department of Environmental Protection relating to forestry.
• Ability to acquire knowledge of with the Federal relationships involved in cost-sharing programs operated jointly by the State and Federal governments.
• Ability to acquire knowledge of computer applications to forest management and products industry assistance.
• Ability to acquire knowledge of Federal programs, services, and assistance available to wood-using industries to increase yields, cut processing costs, increase efficiency, and manufacture higher quality products and services.
• Ability to acquire knowledge of all current and pending legislation as pertaining to forestry matters.
• Ability to acquire knowledge of the workings of the Board of Tree Experts the Tree Expert Law that is administered by the Department of Environmental Protection.
• Ability to acquire knowledge of the Farmland Assessment act of 1964 and nay amendments made thereto.
• Ability to organize assigned technical and supervisory work, analyze forest management and related problems and develop effective work methods for a Statewide program of forest management and conservation.
• Ability to plan and supervise the state program of assistance to private woodland owners and the general forestry programs on lands administered by the Department.
• Ability to make plans for the production of reforestation stock at the State Forest Tree Nursery.
• Ability to supervise reforestation promotion and woodland improvement projects throughout the State.
• Ability to assign and instruct technical and other employees and supervise the performance of their work.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with the general public, woodland owners, governmental agencies, and the wood-using industries.
• Ability to plan, carry out, and report on research projects in the field of forestry and conservation.
• Ability to give illustrated lectures and talks on forestry, the Department's forestry program, and forest conservation.
• Ability to prepare and supervise the preparation of clear technically sound, accurate, and informative statistical, financial, and other reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Ability to supervise the establishment and maintenance of the essential records and files.
• Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

Note

A Master's degree in Forestry may be substituted for one (1) year of non-supervisory experience.

CERTIFICATION

Appointee may be required to possess a valid New Jersey Certified Pesticide Applicator's Permit.