Kansas Forest Service

About This Role:

The Kansas Forest Service is looking for a full-time, term position as the District Forester of a 10-county district in Southeast Kansas. This position is responsible for providing rural forestry technical assistance to owners and managers of the region's rural forest resources including forest land, woodlots, windbreaks, and shelterbelts. Duties include the responsibility to plan, develop and conduct a balanced full-service forestry program to meet the needs of the resource and clientele in a positive and professional manner. This position will also establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with federal, state and local natural resource agencies and organizations on forestry related programs. Incumbent conducts a full-service forestry program with limited direct supervision. Approximately 80% of the time will be spent in the field, travel is routine with occasional overnight travel for special duties and training. Inclement weather on occasion but at the decision of the incumbent. The office location of this position is in Parsons, KS.

Why Join Us:

The Kansas Forest Service is the 5th oldest state forestry agency in the country established in 1887 and is housed as an independent agency within K-State Research and Extension. The agency employs 35 full-time employees, and 40+ temporary and student positions, housed in Manhattan, KS and offices throughout the state. Our programs include Rural Forestry, Community Forestry, Fire Management, Conservation Tree Planting, Forest Health, and Marketing and Utilization.

KFS works with a diverse group of partners at local, state, and federal levels to help serve the State of Kansas in pursuit of our mission: “Care of Natural Resources and Service to People Through Forestry”. We pride ourselves on the multi-faceted services we provide the many stakeholders of Kansas. KFS contributes an estimated combined economic impact of $34 million annually.

Kansas State University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes health insurance, life insurance, retirement plans, paid time off – vacation, sick, and holidays. To see what benefits are available, please visit: https://www.k-state.edu/hcs/benefits

We Support Diversity and Inclusion:

Kansas State University embraces diversity and inclusion. The university actively seeks individuals who foster a collegial environment and cooperative interactions with coworkers, students, and others. The University is dedicated to promoting the Principles of Community.

Worksite Options:

This position is required to be performed on-site. Work is performed on employer premises or designated assignment disctrict.

What You’ll Need to Succeed:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Undergraduate or graduate degree in Forestry or a closely related natural resource discipline

Preferred Qualifications:

• 2 years of field experience in forestry, horticulture, or related natural resources
• Certified Forester (Society of American Foresters)
• Knowledge and experience in tree ID, GIS, tree planting and pruning, tree inventory
• Effective verbal and written communication

Other Requirements:

• Valid Driver’s License upon employment
• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States at the time of employment.

How to Apply:

Please submit the following documents:

1. Cover letter
2. Resume
3. Professional references
4. Academic transcripts

Screening of Applications Begins:

Screening begins immediately and continues until position is filled. For best consideration apply by November 11, 2024.

Anticipated Hiring Pay Range:

$47,000 - $52,000 

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Kansas State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran.

Background Screening Statement:

In connection with your application for employment, Kansas State University will procure a Background Screen on you as part of the process of considering your candidacy as an employee.

About This Role:

Kansas Forest Service is hiring a Fire Prevention Specialist position within the KFS Fire Program. This position is a full-time, benefits-eligible position. The primary purpose of the Fire Prevention Specialist is to lead the wildfire prevention program by providing guidance at the planning and operational levels of the implementation of fire prevention and mitigation techniques and program oversight. Key components include:

• Wildland fire management, understanding wildfire prevention strategies, wildland fire behavior and the role of fire in the ecosystem when assisting communities to reduce the threat and impact of wildland fire
• Public outreach and education programs
• Complex wildland fire operations with significant interagency coordination and cooperation issues
• Wildland/urban interface initiatives
• Complex hazardous fuel reduction program

The position supports the State Fire Management Officer or other wildland fire staff in planning and coordination within the prevention program. This is a hybrid remote position with at least one day per week at the KFS State Office in Manhattan, KS.

Why Join Us:

The Kansas Forest Service is the 5th oldest state forestry agency in the country established in 1887 and is housed as an independent agency within K-State Research and Extension. The agency employs 35 full-time employees, and 40+ temporary and student positions, housed in Manhattan, KS and offices throughout the state. Our programs include Rural Forestry, Community Forestry, Fire Management, Conservation Tree Planting, Forest Health, and Marketing and Utilization.

KFS works with a diverse group of partners at local, state, and federal levels to help serve the State of Kansas in pursuit of our mission: “Care of Natural Resources and Service to People Through Forestry”. We pride ourselves on the multi-faceted services we provide the many stakeholders of Kansas. KFS contributes an estimated combined economic impact of $34 million annually.

Kansas State University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes health insurance, life insurance, retirement plans, paid time off – vacation, sick, and holidays. To see what benefits are available, please visit: https://www.k-state.edu/hcs/benefits

We Support Diversity and Inclusion:

Kansas State University embraces diversity and inclusion. The university actively seeks individuals who foster a collegial environment and cooperative interactions with coworkers, students, and others. The University is dedicated to promoting the Principles of Community.

Worksite Options:

This position is eligible for hybrid worksite. Work is performed partially
remote and partially at the KFS State Office. This role is expected to
work at the State Office at least one (1) day a week.

What You’ll Need to Succeed:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree
• Two (2) years of experience in fire service. This position may use
  an educational equivalency as determined relevant by a hiring
  manager.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Forestry, Fire Ecology, Fire Management,
  Natural Resources, or other related field
• NWCG Incident Qualifications as a Single Resource Boss/Unit
  Leader or higher
• Experience working for or directly with both local fire departments,
  and state or federal wildland fire agencies
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to
  engage diverse audiences

Other Requirements:

• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United
  States at the time of employment.
• Valid State Motor Vehicle Operators License

How to Apply:

Please submit the following documents:
1. Cover letter
2. Resume
3. Professional references

Screening of Applications Begins:

Screening begins immediately and continues until position is filled. For
best consideration, apply by October 25, 2024.

Anticipated Hiring Pay Range:

$53,581 - $63,000 

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Kansas State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran.

Background Screening Statement:

In connection with your application for employment, Kansas State University will procure a Background Screen on you as part of the process of considering your candidacy as an employee.

About This Role:

Kansas Forest Service is hiring a Workforce Development Specialist
position within the KFS Fire Program. This position is a full-time,
benefits-eligible position. The primary purpose of this position is to
coordinate educational efforts for fire departments in Kansas in all
aspects of wildland fire management. The Workforce Development
Specialist will also lead efforts utilizing wildland fire qualification systems
by managing Incident Qualification System (IQS) records, developing
agency standards for IQS entry, and serving as the subject matter
expert in these systems. Another responsibility will be to assist KFS with
training and development needs for employees across all programs.
This is a hybrid remote position with at least one day per week at the
KFS State Office in Manhattan, KS.

Why Join Us:

The Kansas Forest Service is the 5th oldest state forestry agency in the country established in 1887 and is housed as an independent agency within K-State Research and Extension. The agency employs 35 full-time employees, and 40+ temporary and student positions, housed in Manhattan, KS and offices throughout the state. Our programs include Rural Forestry, Community Forestry, Fire Management, Conservation Tree Planting, Forest Health, and Marketing and Utilization.

KFS works with a diverse group of partners at local, state, and federal levels to help serve the State of Kansas in pursuit of our mission: “Care of Natural Resources and Service to People Through Forestry”. We pride ourselves on the multi-faceted services we provide the many stakeholders of Kansas. KFS contributes an estimated combined economic impact of $34 million annually.

Kansas State University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes health insurance, life insurance, retirement plans, paid time off – vacation, sick, and holidays. To see what benefits are available, please visit: https://www.k-state.edu/hcs/benefits

We Support Diversity and Inclusion:

Kansas State University embraces diversity and inclusion. The university actively seeks individuals who foster a collegial environment and cooperative interactions with coworkers, students, and others. The University is dedicated to promoting the Principles of Community.

Worksite Options:

This position is eligible for hybrid worksite. Work is performed partially
remote and partially at the KFS State Office. This role is expected to
work at the State Office at least one (1) day a week.

What You’ll Need to Succeed:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree
• One (1) year of experience in developing and/or implementing a
  formal training program. This position may use an educational
  equivalency as determined relevant by a hiring manager.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Natural Resources, Communications,
  Workforce Development, or Human Resources
• Working knowledge of the National Wildland Fire Incident
  Qualification System
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to
  engage diverse audiences
• Strong organizational skills with high attention to detail

Other Requirements:

• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United
  States at the time of employment.
• Valid Driver’s License

How to Apply:

Please submit the following documents:
1. Cover letter
2. Resume
3. Professional references

Screening of Applications Begins:

Screening begins immediately and continues until position is filled. For
best consideration, apply by October 25, 2024.

Anticipated Hiring Pay Range:

$53,000 - $63,000 

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Kansas State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran.

Background Screening Statement:

In connection with your application for employment, Kansas State University will procure a Background Screen on you as part of the process of considering your candidacy as an employee.