Botanist (Ecological Program Specialist) - Ecological Services Section

If you have a deep-seated love for our local forests and a desire to make a meaningful impact, consider joining the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). We are seeking a committed Ecological Program Specialist to take on the role of Botanist, and focus on the management and stewardship of Threatened and Endangered plant species and unique plant communities on PA State Forest lands. This position will also manage the PA Vulnerable Plant Program, coordinate the Bureau of Forestry's native planting and seeding efforts, review potential impacts to state-listed plant species, and aid the Bureau of Forestry in its mission to conserve, steward, and enhance Pennsylvania's trees, forests, and native wild plants.

As a Botanist within the Bureau of Forestry, you will serve in a lead role to conserve state-listed plant species, steward native plant populations, and enhance native plant communities on state forest lands. You will serve as the manager of the Pennsylvania Vulnerable Plant Program for the Bureau of Forestry by evaluating PA's Vulnerable Plant Commercial Licenses, contributing to protection efforts, and managing the database of reported collections of PA's Vulnerable species. You will also coordinate and manage the statewide native planting and seeding program which involves the supplemental planting of native trees, shrubs, grasses, and forbs on state forest lands. In addition, you will coordinate management efforts within Wild Plant Sanctuaries and High Conservation Value Areas across state forest lands. Specific stewardship duties will include conducting botanical inventory and monitoring of unique resources or species, coordinating active management projects, as well as writing and revising site management plans. This position also contributes to DCNR's environmental review of potential impacts to state-listed plants. Within this role, you will also have the opportunity to provide technical guidance and outreach on a statewide level regarding plant ecology, adaptive forest management projects, and other ecological management topics to state land managers, foresters, DCNR planners and policy makers, and private landowners.

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment
• Work hours are 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 60-minute lunch.
• This position requires travel to field and district sites.
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time, up to 5 days per two week pay period. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Harrisburg. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• One year of experience as a Wildlife Biologist 2 or Natural Resource Program Specialist 1 (Commonwealth job titles or equivalent Federal Government job titles, as determined by the Office of Administration); or
• Three years of experience as a Forester (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or
• Three years of professional experience in management of plant, wildlife, or natural resources and a bachelor's degree in biology, botany, ecology, environmental science, forestry, natural resources management, or a closely related field; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training.

Other Requirements:

• This position will require a PA Pesticide Applicator License upon hire.
• You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency Guidelines.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
• All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant's own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. *7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.