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 & 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 headquarters 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 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. 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 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr Commonwealth-of-Pennsylvania