Forester (Fire)

As a Fire Forester with the Department of Conservation & Natural Resources, you will play a key role in helping communities prepare for and reduce the dangers of wildfires. This role puts you at the center of important outreach and education efforts that strengthen public safety. You will help communities take steps that build long term wildfire resilience. You will make a meaningful difference in protecting people, land, and resources.

In this position, you will focus on helping communities understand and address wildfire risks while supporting the Community Wildfire Defense Program. You will strengthen wildfire preparedness through hands on education, technical assistance, and coordination with partners. As a Fire Forester, you will perform the following duties:

• Technical Guidance: Provide support to communities in understanding eligibility for the Community Wildfire Defense Grant and assist with application preparation
• Risk Identification: Identify communities at risk for wildfires and update this information based on national standards
• Community Assessment: Evaluate local areas to determine wildfire vulnerabilities and recommend actions to reduce potential impacts
• Program Support: Attend meetings and trainings, prepare reports, and respond to audits related to program activities
• Emergency Response: Respond to wildfires and emergencies when qualified and available
• Additional Assistance: Support other Division of Forest Fire Protection programs as needed

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 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
• You will have the option to work from one of the following headquarter locations:
  • DFFP Fire Cache: 2826 White Oak Rd, Halifax, PA 17032
  • Hazleton Fire Control Station: 5174 Old Airport Rd, Hazleton, PA 18202
  • Penn Forest Fire Control Station: 890 State Rt 903, Jim Thorpe, PA 18229
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time up to 5 days per 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. Telework arrangements are subject to change. 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:

• Two years of technical forestry experience, and an associate's degree in forest technology, forestry, forest management, forest ecosystem management, urban forestry, forest science, agroforestry, or a related forestry degree; or
• A bachelor's degree in forest technology, forestry, forest management, forest ecosystem management, urban forestry, forest science, agroforestry, or a related forestry degree; or
• A master's degree in forest technology, forestry, forest management, forest ecosystem management, urban forestry, forest science, agroforestry, or a related forestry degree.
• Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree.

Special Requirement:

• This position requires possession of a valid PA non- commercial Class C driver's license or equivalent.

Other Requirements:

• PA residency requirement is currently waived for this title.
• 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.