‘I Am GFC’
The People Behind the Campaign
By Stasia Kelly
Spring 2020
Spring 2020
Ashlee Booth, Central Response Center Supervisor
The GFC, an agency that serves as the state’s backbone for forest services to the public, has 569 full-time employees. As Georgia’s population continues to rise — from 10.74 million today to a projected 15 million by 204 4 — GFC is eyeing its human resources closely.
“A generation ago, our typical ranger candidate who had the potential for long range success looked a lot different,” said GFC Director Chuck Williams. “Many had agriculture backgrounds, came from rural areas and were used to being around heavy equipment. Now, that’s the exception to the rule.”
“People are moving out of rural areas and into suburban and urban communities,” said Hannah Cowart, GFC Employment Services Manager. “There’s a trend away from traditional candidate sources, and we’re changing how we attract people and train them.”
“A generation ago, our typical ranger candidate who had the potential for long range success looked a lot different,” said GFC Director Chuck Williams. “Many had agriculture backgrounds, came from rural areas and were used to being around heavy equipment. Now, that’s the exception to the rule.”
“People are moving out of rural areas and into suburban and urban communities,” said Hannah Cowart, GFC Employment Services Manager. “There’s a trend away from traditional candidate sources, and we’re changing how we attract people and train them.”
Muscle Behind the Scenes
Ryan Phillips, Cost Share Coordinator
Cowart and human resource professionals across the country are witnessing firsthand the ebb and f low of trends in the workforce. It’s estimated some 10,000 Baby Boomers reach retirement age every day, and when they leave their jobs, they take their knowledge and experience with them. That drain, along with tight budgets, increased mechanization and young workers motivated more by climbing the ladder in a city setting rather than a rural one, are contributing to a challenging hiring environment. Yet Williams sees the glass as“ half full,” saying job satisfaction at the agency is high, and attracting and retaining the right people is key. In Cowart’s role as a first-line interviewer of candidates, she’s homing in on specific qualities common to successful GFC employees. “We’re looking for people with a servant’s heart,” she said. “We strive to find the best person for the job, who’s motivated by public service and has drive.”
Lynne Womack, Forest Health
Specialist
Person-to-Person Message
In an effort to reach candidates who embrace the qualities fundamental for employment success, the GFC has launched an outreach campaign with the theme “I Am GFC.” Through a series of custom videos and social media strategies, the campaign showcases current GFC employees sharing highlights of their jobs and ways they measure their work satisfaction. In a videotaped interview for the campaign, Sustainable Community Forestry Program Forest Specialist Seth Hawkins expressed the enjoyment he gets from “the opportunity to make a difference every day.”
“I help spread awareness about everything trees do for us,” Hawkins said, “and then I see people get inspired and get motivated to go on and make a difference, too.” Making a difference for the community, as well as the forest resource, is a theme that comes through loud and clear in the “I Am GFC” series. Lynne Womack is clearly passionate about her job as a forest health specialist. She works with other professionals across the state and the Southeast and helps educate the public on forest health issues. “The best part about working for this agency is that we do research and work to help protect the forest resource. The field of forest health focuses on protecting the resource and land conservation, and that’s important to me,” she said.
The fact that “every day is different” is a big benefit for Womack, whose days might include hanging traps for southern pine beetles or speaking to a group of natural resource professionals. That variety is a perk many GFC employees mention when discussing what makes their job attractive.
“It’s never cut and dry,” said Ashlee Booth, supervisor of the Central Response Center in Macon. The department processes calls from the public, which could concern any thing from a hit deer in the road to the sighting of a suspected arsonist or a growing wildfire. It also is the communication vehicle for GFC resources in the field, which respond to reports of wildfire on the ground and in the air.
“We’re here for the safety of the men and women in the field,” Booth said in her video. “GFC has given me the opportunity to learn and grow as a leader and a person. I like the challenge. And I like watching others learn and grow, passing it along.” The customer service mentality is prevalent throughout GFC’s employee roster. Said Forest Management Forester Brandon Merz, “The thing I like most is meeting with landowners and figuring out how to meet their goals.”
Cost Share Coordinator Ryan Phillips concurred. “I like focusing on my landowners, helping them with cost share options that help manage their property and ensure the forest resource for the future.”
In an effort to reach candidates who embrace the qualities fundamental for employment success, the GFC has launched an outreach campaign with the theme “I Am GFC.” Through a series of custom videos and social media strategies, the campaign showcases current GFC employees sharing highlights of their jobs and ways they measure their work satisfaction. In a videotaped interview for the campaign, Sustainable Community Forestry Program Forest Specialist Seth Hawkins expressed the enjoyment he gets from “the opportunity to make a difference every day.”
“I help spread awareness about everything trees do for us,” Hawkins said, “and then I see people get inspired and get motivated to go on and make a difference, too.” Making a difference for the community, as well as the forest resource, is a theme that comes through loud and clear in the “I Am GFC” series. Lynne Womack is clearly passionate about her job as a forest health specialist. She works with other professionals across the state and the Southeast and helps educate the public on forest health issues. “The best part about working for this agency is that we do research and work to help protect the forest resource. The field of forest health focuses on protecting the resource and land conservation, and that’s important to me,” she said.
The fact that “every day is different” is a big benefit for Womack, whose days might include hanging traps for southern pine beetles or speaking to a group of natural resource professionals. That variety is a perk many GFC employees mention when discussing what makes their job attractive.
“It’s never cut and dry,” said Ashlee Booth, supervisor of the Central Response Center in Macon. The department processes calls from the public, which could concern any thing from a hit deer in the road to the sighting of a suspected arsonist or a growing wildfire. It also is the communication vehicle for GFC resources in the field, which respond to reports of wildfire on the ground and in the air.
“We’re here for the safety of the men and women in the field,” Booth said in her video. “GFC has given me the opportunity to learn and grow as a leader and a person. I like the challenge. And I like watching others learn and grow, passing it along.” The customer service mentality is prevalent throughout GFC’s employee roster. Said Forest Management Forester Brandon Merz, “The thing I like most is meeting with landowners and figuring out how to meet their goals.”
Cost Share Coordinator Ryan Phillips concurred. “I like focusing on my landowners, helping them with cost share options that help manage their property and ensure the forest resource for the future.”
Morgan-Walton-Oconee Chief
Ranger Orenthal Sanders, featured in the video campaign,
and landowner Kelly Farmer work together for superior results on Farmer’s forestland
GFC Employs 569 People Full-Time
While wildland firefighters and foresters dominate the public face of GFC, it takes a lot of specialized employees to ensure the agency’s smooth operations. On the staff list, one will find pilots, information technology specialists, welders, law enforcement officers, mechanics, nursery workers, administrative personnel and communication professionals.
In filling vacancies, Cowart said she always seeks a diverse candidate pool and reports that the percentage of women and minorities interviewed and hired is rising. She reiterated, however, that her goal remains “a fit for the agency,” which frequently translates to “a good addition to the family.”
“GFC is like a family,” agreed Ranger 3 Tyler Harden, who works with Protection Department teams that establish firebreaks, put out wildfires and educate landowners about prescribed burns. “We’ve got each other’s backs on wildfires.” He said others who enjoy the outdoors, running equipment and driving big trucks should explore the opportunities of a ranger at the GFC.
The chance to work outside much of the time is a big draw for many employees. While not every staffer grew up on a farm, many revere hunting, fishing and other recreational pursuits for which Georgia is famous.
GFC human resources representatives and department chiefs use a number of outreach avenues to attract employment candidates, including school career days. The commission is well represented at the University of Georgia, University of South Carolina, Clemson, Auburn, University of Alabama and Abraham Baldwin Agriculture College, which now offers a Forestry degree. GFC’s Forest Management Department offers a summer internship program in which six rising seniors are able to experience a variety of jobs and disciplines within the agency. Some interns have gone on to be hired at GFC after graduation.
In filling vacancies, Cowart said she always seeks a diverse candidate pool and reports that the percentage of women and minorities interviewed and hired is rising. She reiterated, however, that her goal remains “a fit for the agency,” which frequently translates to “a good addition to the family.”
“GFC is like a family,” agreed Ranger 3 Tyler Harden, who works with Protection Department teams that establish firebreaks, put out wildfires and educate landowners about prescribed burns. “We’ve got each other’s backs on wildfires.” He said others who enjoy the outdoors, running equipment and driving big trucks should explore the opportunities of a ranger at the GFC.
The chance to work outside much of the time is a big draw for many employees. While not every staffer grew up on a farm, many revere hunting, fishing and other recreational pursuits for which Georgia is famous.
GFC human resources representatives and department chiefs use a number of outreach avenues to attract employment candidates, including school career days. The commission is well represented at the University of Georgia, University of South Carolina, Clemson, Auburn, University of Alabama and Abraham Baldwin Agriculture College, which now offers a Forestry degree. GFC’s Forest Management Department offers a summer internship program in which six rising seniors are able to experience a variety of jobs and disciplines within the agency. Some interns have gone on to be hired at GFC after graduation.
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SERVICES PROVIDED BY GFC PROFESSIONALS
Fire Detection Issuing Burn Permits Wildfire Suppression & Prevention Services Emergency & Incident Command System Expertise Rural Fire Department Assistance Forest Management Assistance to Landowners & Communities Marketing and Utilization of Forest Resources & Nature Services Growing & Selling Quality Tree Seedlings for Planting Visit gfc.state.ga.us for more information GFC Employs 569 People Full-Time |
#IAMGFC! Agency Headquarters employees gather for a group shot in Dry Branch.
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At the Heart of It All
While retirement, health and other benefits attached to state service are an attractive feature of government employment, it’s accepted that salaries comparable to the private sector are not realistic. Yet the folks who share the “I Am GFC” motto don’t readily go there. Instead, they talk about their colleagues as “family.”
“When my four-year-old was diagnosed with cancer, I had to take five months’ leave,” said Womack. “I had maybe three or four weeks banked. An email was sent out to the agency, and within a half hour, my colleagues had donated the entire time off I needed. I was amazed.” Lynn’s son is coming up on his two-year cancer-free milestone.
Ken Keuper, Fabrication Shop Supervisor in Macon, echoed that sentiment. “The people I work with make it a joy to come in every day. It fulfills you. You treat ‘em like family because they’re your heart, your drive, every day.”
■ Stasia Kelly is a media relations specialist with Georgia Forestry Commission. Stasia is focused on telling the story of forestry and the immense impact of the industry on Georgia’s environment, economy and heritage.
“When my four-year-old was diagnosed with cancer, I had to take five months’ leave,” said Womack. “I had maybe three or four weeks banked. An email was sent out to the agency, and within a half hour, my colleagues had donated the entire time off I needed. I was amazed.” Lynn’s son is coming up on his two-year cancer-free milestone.
Ken Keuper, Fabrication Shop Supervisor in Macon, echoed that sentiment. “The people I work with make it a joy to come in every day. It fulfills you. You treat ‘em like family because they’re your heart, your drive, every day.”
■ Stasia Kelly is a media relations specialist with Georgia Forestry Commission. Stasia is focused on telling the story of forestry and the immense impact of the industry on Georgia’s environment, economy and heritage.
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Georgia Forestry Magazine is published by HL Strategy, an integrated marketing and communications firm focused on our nation's biggest challenges and opportunities. Learn more at hlstrategy.com
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