Fire Forester (Salary) – William Penn Forest District

THE POSITION

Are you passionate about protecting Pennsylvania’s stunning forests? Come and be a part of our team as we strive to guarantee the growth of our forests by allowing only the fires that nurture it! By providing the necessary care and attention, we can ensure that Pennsylvania’s forests will flourish for future generations to enjoy. 

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This position is for a professional forestry role in the William Penn Forest District, specifically in the Northern Fire Protection Area, which covers Berks, Lehigh, and Northampton Counties. Your responsibilities will include conducting professional analysis, managing prescribed fire plans, preventing wildland fires, and suppressing wildfires. Additionally, you will assist in forest district programs such as forest resource stewardship, state forest management, and forest pest management. The main objective of these programs is to educate, encourage, and support private landowners and municipalities in natural resource management.

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 30-minute lunch
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time, ad-hoc up to 2 days a week outside of fire season, as decided by District Fire Warden (Forest Manager). In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Schnecksville.
• Overtime: extended work hours on high fire danger days, fire response, and training
• Travel: out of district trainings, and fires
• 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.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY

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 will 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.employment.pa.gov/Additional%20Info/Pages/default.aspx and click the Veterans’ Preference tab or contact us at [email protected].

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.