Forest Health Program - Project Specialist

Job Description and Duties

• This is a 12-month limited-term position that may be extended to 24 months with the possibility of becoming permanent.

Please Note: Due to postal service delays, electronic submission of application is recommended.

Please see the Duty Statement link, found in the Additional Documents section, for more information.

Applicants are highly encouraged to complete a Recruitment Questionnaire, located at:

In July 2025, the State of California implemented the Personal Leave Program (PLP) 2025. This program temporarily reduces employees’ monthly base pay in exchange for paid leave credits. This position is subject to PLP 2025 and will have a monthly base pay reduction of 3% in exchange for 5 hours of leave credits through June 2027. The salary ranges shown on this job posting do not reflect the salary reduction.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

• Maintains the Arduous Fitness Standard in accordance with department policy.

• May be subject to working nights, weekends or holidays in support of emergency incidents. This position requires travel up to 30% of the time. This travel may be local or statewide and may result in overnight stays.

Special Requirements

If using education to meet Minimum Qualifications, please provide your degree and/or transcripts.

• The incumbent is required to wear respiratory protection equipment, including self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). The use of such equipment may place a physiological burden on the incumbent that varies with the type of equipment used, the job and workplace conditions in which the equipment is used, and the medical status of the incumbent. As such, CalOSHA requires that the incumbent be annually medically cleared to be fit-tested for respiratory protection equipment. This clearance process consists of a comprehensive medical evaluation including a review of the incumbent’s medical history, a complete physical examination, and vision, hearing, spirometry, and exercise treadmill tests. Duties involve field work requiring physical performance calling for above-average ability, endurance, and superior condition, including occasional demand for extraordinarily strenuous activities in emergencies, under adverse environmental conditions, and over exten ded periods of time; requires running, walking, difficult climbing, jumping, twisting, bending and lifting over 25 pounds; and the pace of work is typically set by the emergency situation.

All job applicants must provide their employment history on the application form (State Application STD 678) rather than attaching a resume to the form, otherwise the application may be considered incomplete.

1. Do NOT include ANY confidential information on any documents you submit for a job vacancy, such as your State application, resume, or educational transcripts. Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents includes, but is not limited to, your Social Security Number (SSN), birthdate, student identification number, driver’s license number (unless required), basis of eligibility examination results, LEAP status, marital status, and age. Confidential information on the first page of applications submitted electronically online, such as Easy ID number, SSN, examination related information, and driver’s license number will automatically be redacted upon submission.

2. Possession of Minimum Qualifications will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. If you are meeting Minimum Qualifications wit h education, you must include your unofficial transcripts/diploma for verification. Official transcripts may be required upon appointment. If it is determined a candidate does not meet the Minimum Qualifications, the candidate will be withheld from the eligibility list, rendering them inactive and ineligible to be hired for the position. Candidates who have been withheld may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board.

The minimum qualifications can be found in the FORESTRY ASSISTANT II  classification specifications.

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS

Statement of Qualifications

Along with your application, you must submit a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ). A SOQ is a discussion of your experience that would qualify for this position. The SOQ should be 2 pages in length, Arial 12 font, addressing the items noted below. Resumes are required and DO NOT take place of the SOQ.

1. Describe your education, training, and/or professional experience related to forestry, forest health, and wildland fire. Include examples of how you have applied principles such as forest ecology, vegetation management, fuels reduction, prescribed fire, reforestation, or forest restoration to support healthy and resilient forests.

2. Describe your experience planning, coordinating, or administering grants/other projects in the natural resources field. Include your role in tracking project progress, coordinating with stakeholders, maintaining documentation, ensuring compliance with project requirements, or managing grant or contract-funded work.

3. Describe your experience conducting field work related to forestry or natural resource management. Include examples of field inspections, forest inventories, vegetation or fuels assessments, monitoring project implementation, collecting field data, or evaluating treatment effectiveness.

4. Describe your experience using technology to support forestry or natural resource management. Include any experience with GIS, GPS, mobile data collection, spreadsheets, databases, mapping software, or other tools used to collect, manage, analyze, or report project information.

5. Describe your education and/or experience with environmental compliance, including the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), or similar environmental review processes. Explain your role in preparing, reviewing, implementing, or ensuring compliance with environmental documentation or permit requirements.

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is required and must be included.
• Statement of Qualifications - A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is REQUIRED and must be submitted with your application to be considered for this position. Failure to include the Statement of Qualifications as required shall result in disqualification from the hiring process. Please see the section labeled "Statement of Qualifications" for further information.