Fire Forester (Forester) (Permanent) - Bald Eagle Forest District, Union County

Are you an outdoor enthusiast with a desire to safeguard Pennsylvania's beautiful forests? Join the Department of Conservation & Natural Resources (DCNR) as a Fire Forester and play a key role in helping to ensure our natural landscapes continue to flourish and prosper. With the proper care and attention, Pennsylvania's forests will thrive for generations to come!

As a Fire Forester, you will be responsible for wildfire prevention and mitigation efforts within the Bald Eagle Forest District. This professional is responsible for conducting comprehensive fire analysis and supporting state forest management objectives. Wildland fire-related duties include planning and implementing prescribed fire plans, wildfire prevention, suppression of wildfires, and directing the activities of employees and volunteer groups involved in suppression efforts.

Specific duties will entail planning for wildfire response by determining necessary equipment and resources needed in order to suppress and control fires, in addition to coordinating preparedness efforts throughout the district by engaging with partners and attending pertinent training opportunities. You will also participate in the integration of prescribed fires into the district's ecosystem and investigate any reports of unplanned fires to determine the fire's origin, taking appropriate enforcement action when responsible parties causing wildfires are identified. This position requires a high level of independent work and decision making, which will often occur during stressful situations. Excellent communication skills are essential, as you will also serve as the district radio communications coordinator and conduct annual radio communications updates with staff.

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 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
• Overtime: This position is the primary wildfire role for the forest district. There are instances that this individual will be required to work after normal business hours for emergency response, trainings and meetings. Within reason, this position will need to be available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.
• Travel: Occasional travel outside the district may be offered for required trainings and meetings.
• This position is eligible for alternate work schedule (AWS).
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home, ad hoc telework only. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. Ad hoc telework is only permitted to accommodate an inaccessible main office, blocked commute routes (i.e., major road construction, storm, or a disaster), or special project work requiring an extended period of non-interruptible time.
• 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 Requirements:

• 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.

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.