The Oregon Department of Forestry is currently hiring a seasonal Forest Management Technician position. This position generally works from November through April; however, the duration of the season and job conditions may vary.  This recruitment may be used to fill Forest Management Technician positions as they occur.  For questions regarding these positions, please call Mike Leach, Wildland Fire Supervisor, at (541) 947-3311. 

UNDERFILL OPTION: The goal of this recruitment is to fill positions at the Forest Management Technician level, however, we encourage candidates who meet the minimum qualifications for Laborer/Student Worker level to apply.  If we are unable to fill the positions at the higher level we will consider underfilling them at the Laborer/Student Worker level until the selected candidate meets the minimum qualifications for the Forest Management Technician level up to two years.  Minimum qualifications for both the Forest Management Technician and Laborer/Student Worker are located in the Qualifications & Desired Attributes Section of this announcement.

This seasonal position is represented by Service Employees International Union.

The Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Mission is – To serve the people of Oregon through the protection, management, and promotion of a healthy forest environment, which will enhance Oregon’s livability and economy for today and tomorrow. ODF is a multi-programmed, multi-funded public agency chartered and structured to administer the forest laws and policies of the State of Oregon, within the framework of sustainable forests, for the benefit of all Oregonians.

The Forest Federal Health Program accelerates the pace, scale and quality of forest restoration to increase the resilience of Oregon’s federal forests, in a manner that leverages collaborative efforts and contributes to the long-term vitality of regional economies and rural communities. Federal Forest Health Program in an investment for expanding initial restoration work statewide, supporting local collaborative groups that demonstrate results and readiness, and acting on the Good Neighbor Authority granted in the 2014 Farm Bill. This provision allows the USFS and the Bureau of Land Management to authorize state foresters to implement forest management activities on federal forestlands.

This position works in conjunction with the USFS as part of a Forest Service timber sale crew member under the Federal Forest Health program. The purpose of this position is to assist in field forestry with forest management activities, timber sale preparation, roads and young stand management.  The Forest Management Technician will work with unit and federal personnel in the layout and flagging of timber sale boundaries as outlined in the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), timber cruising, marking timber, timber sale prep, forest management activities, road layout, road inventory, data collection, posting and brushing of roads. They may also assist with estimates volume, defect, and quality of timber in a given area. Measures and evaluates defects for timber on the ground using maps and written cruise plans provided by an advanced timber cruiser that explain sampling intensity, plot locations, type of cruise and special instructions.

The Oregon Department of Forestry: Serving Oregonians by protecting Oregon’s forests.

Major duties include but are not limited to:

Timber Sale Preparation 

Under the supervision of a professional forester, and using pre-established rules, selects and marks trees to be harvested or left uncut. Performs field reconnaissance. Lays out boundaries of cutting areas as outlined in the NEPA, federal policies and the Oregon Forest Laws, considering variables such as accessibility, steep slopes, stream protection, nesting tree protection, wildlife impacts, fuels management and regeneration requirements. Brings to attention of responsible individual situations where specific prescriptions do not fit ground conditions. Marks trees using marking rules in areas complicated by variations in type, species composition, defect, site, age, class, etc. Marks Trees/Snags for wildlife retention. Prepares Pres sale reports, area maps, marks unit boundaries utilizing maps, photos and GPS along with GPS to record boundary/site/individual resource locations. Works as a part of the Timber Sale Crew. Assure safe work practices while working within the agency safety plans.

Forest Management

Performs field measurement for Stand Level Inventory, Makes preliminary site preparation plans for timber sales, pile/site preparation activities for brush control & disposal, burns logging slash on timber sale areas, Performs stocking surveys, animal damage surveys, survival and growth transects. Performs tree planting, tree protection, hand release, pre-commercial thinning, pruning and herbicide application data collection on crew performance and survey on work completed. Performs fuels reduction/Pre-commercial thinning work including but not limited to use chainsaws and hand piling. Assists with cone collection for reforestation seed needs. Data collection for survey and inventory needs including research, insect and disease, progeny sites, and harvest operation compliance results. May act as an aerial observer from a fixed or rotary winged aircraft as needed. Pile and prescribed burning activities.

Vehicle Operation

Operates agency (ODF and federal) vehicles including cars, trucks, and fire engines.  Ensures all equipment is ready to support fuel reduction and fire suppression activities by completing safety inspection, submitting requests for maintenance, and maintains general up-keep – Including daily refueling, and keeping the inside and outside of vehicles clean and free of clutter.  Reports any malfunctions and/or damage to supervisor.

Because the Department’s highest priority work is a forest fire emergency, this position will be utilized during those emergencies to provide assistance in a variety of ways.  That assistance may be directly aiding the emergency effort in the field or at the Salem headquarters.  It also may be in providing backup to fill in for another position that is being used in direct aid to the emergency, or it may be in performing an essential function in some capacity either within this Program or elsewhere in Salem or in the field.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Required to drive vehicles obeying all traffic laws and drives on steep narrow forest roads in all types of weather. Expected to work under adverse conditions such as inclement weather (rain, snow, wind, cold temps), noise, smoke, heat, rough terrain, wet vegetation, mud, dust, exposure to poison oak, bees and poisonous snakes/insects.  Requires occasional exposure to heavy equipment operations, active logging operations, chippers, chainsaws, aircraft, hazards of burning and/or falling material, and chemical and biological pesticides. Works as part of a timber sale crew or road survey crew. Job requires from time to time long hours and may work on weekends during fire suppression or project work activities.

Minimum Qualifications

FOREST MANAGEMENT TECHNICIAN ($2,539 – $3,597 monthly)

• Eighteen months of experience working in the field of Forestry or Forest Management; OR
• Associate Degree in Forestry, Forest Engineering, Forest Recreation, or a related natural resource field of study; OR
• An equivalent combination of education and experience.

UNDERFILL OPTION – LABORER/STUDENT WORKER ($2,200 – $2,996)

• Must be 18 years of age at time of hire.

NOTE: Transcripts are required to be attached to your application if you are using education or coursework to meet the minimum qualifications. Transcripts must clearly show 1) your name; 2) the name and address of the institution; 3) the degree received and; 4) required courses completed with a passing grade. For application purposes, unofficial copies are acceptable; however official or original documents may be requested to validate education. Transcripts must be attached to your application and WILL NOT be accepted as verification of education after the announcement has closed.

DESIRED ATTRIBUTES:

• Demonstrates experience or education in timber sale layout, timber cruising, resource protection and logging systems.
• Experience with reading and interpreting maps.
• Qualified as Firefighter (FFT2)

NOTE: This position requires the operation of a State vehicle for the purpose of conducting official State business. An Oregon driving record check will be conducted on the top applicants to ensure a valid license and acceptable driving record.  If your license is from outside Oregon, you must submit at least a three year court/DMV printout at the time of interview.

An unacceptable driving record includes:

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

To improve communication with all applicants the State of Oregon requires an e-mail address be provided on all applications.  If you do not currently have an e-mail address and do not know where to go to get one, please refer to our Applicant Frequently Asked Questions web page to view several links to internet providers where you can get a free e-mail account. The State of Oregon does not endorse any particular provider.

To ensure clear communication, please unfilter emails from neogov.com and governmentjobs.com.

Please note: The employee in this position will be represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and will be subject to all terms and conditions of the collective bargaining agreement.  Pay and benefits on all job announcements may change without further notice.

If you require an alternate format in order to complete the employment process, you may call ODF Human Resources at 503-945-7306.

Only complete applications will be considered. Your answers to the supplemental questions must be reflected in the work experience section of your application. Be sure to answer all supplemental questions and attach all required documents. Responses to the supplemental questions will determine if you meet the minimum qualifications, any special qualifications and/or desired attributes for the position. Do not submit a resume in place of completing the Supplemental Questionnaire or the Work Experience section of the application. 

Qualified applicants whose responses most closely match the requirements for this position will be invited to interview. Transcripts must be submitted to receive credit for education coursework at the time of application.

Veterans – If you are an eligible veteran and you meet the minimum qualifications, veterans’ preference points will be added to your score. To receive veterans’ preference points you MUST attach to your electronic application the following required documentation:

• A copy of the DD214/215 for the five (5) point preference;
• OR A copy of the DD214/215; AND a veteran’s disability preference letter from the United States Department of Veterans’ Affairs for the ten (10) point preference.

For more information on veterans’ preference points visit www.oregonjobs.org, and select veterans’ preference.

PLEASE NOTE: The Oregon Department of Forestry does not offer visa sponsorships. Within three days of hire, all applicants will be required to complete U.S. Department of Homeland Security form I-9, confirming authorization to work in the United States.