Forester (Fire)- Lycoming County or Clearfield County

Start a rewarding career with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources as a Forester. You will support wildfire preparedness, assist local communities, and help carry out statewide safety goals. Your work will make a real difference in protecting people, homes, and natural landscapes. Join a team that values service, stewardship, and strong community partnerships.

This position supports wildfire prevention and community safety by providing outreach, technical assistance, and field assessments. The role also involves working with state, federal, and local partners to implement national program standards. As a Forester, you will perform the following duties:

• Community Support: Provide technical assistance to communities on eligibility and help prepare applications for wildfire defense funding
• Risk Assessment: Evaluate communities and structures to determine wildfire risk and recommend ways to reduce potential impacts
• Program Outreach: Promote the Community Wildfire Defense Program through education, meetings, and field communication
• Training and Reports: Attend trainings, complete reports, and assist with audits related to wildfire program activities
• Emergency Response: Respond to wildfires or other emergencies as qualified and support field operations when needed
• Program Assistance: Support additional forest fire protection programs as assigned

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.
• This position will require travel as needed.
• The selected candidate will report to either of the following headquarter locations:
  • Moshannon Forest District: 3372 State Park Road, Penfield, PA 15849
  • Tiadaghton Forest District: 10 Lower Pine Bottom Road, Waterville, PA 17776
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time, up to 5 day 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. 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:

• 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.