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Forestry Careers

If you are interested in the environment and what you can do to shape the future of California's forests, consider a career in Resource Management. Resource Management positions perform a variety of duties concerned with forest care and improvement. Many positions work closely with homeowners, forest landowners, local government, the forest industry, and the federal government. As a member of the Resource Management team, you will work to ensure that the public's need for forest products is met in a way that protects all the forest values for future generations.


 

FORESTRY AID

Forestry Aid appointments are temporary. The classification is designed to provide part-time employment and practical experience for forestry students. Forestry Aids provide subprofessional assistance with forestry tasks or may assist with special fire control assignments, such as fire prevention patrol. Most Forestry Aids are employed at one of five State Forests during the summer months.

Minimum Requirements:

Either I
Education: Completion of at least two years of college training in forestry or fire science, including, as a part of the curriculum, practical field training in forestry or fire control. (One full summer's experience between the spring and fall semesters in the field in wood operations or fire control will fulfill the requirement for field training.)

Or II
One year of experience in subprofessional forestry work in one of the following or a closely related field: log scaling, timber marking, cruising, pest control and checking, or fire control.

 
 

FORESTRY TECHNICIAN

If you have some experience or education related to resource management, you may be interested in a Forestry Technician position. A Forestry Technician learns to perform routine technical resource management assignments; assignments may include forest practice, service forestry, State land surveys, chaparral management, nursery operations, insect control, or range improvement. The examination process typically consists of an oral interview. Permanent appointments are conditional upon successful completion of a CAL FIRE training course.

Minimum Requirements:

Either I
Education: Equivalent to 15 semester units of college in forestry, natural resource management, conservation, or a closely related subject.

Or II

Experience: Six months of experience in practical resource management, conservation, or field work in a State of California resources agency department or in a forest management/timber harvesting operation. (Qualifying experience includes: reforestation, timber harvest operations, urban forestry, or other related forestry/nursery work; or environmental resource protection work including Resource Protection Trainee/Fire Prevention Assistant, or related fire control experience in the Resources Agency or as a corps member in a California Conservation Corps/California Department of Forestry fire center.) or

One year of urban resource community organizing work such as tree planting, community gardening, park development, and civil landscape beautification programs. and

Education: Equivalent to completion of the 12th grade.

 
 

FORESTRY ASSISTANT I

A Forestry Assistant I performs increasingly more difficult and varied technical resource management assignments, including administrative functions. As part of the Department's emergency response team, during fire season, Forestry Assistants I may perform fire control or other emergency duties for which they have been trained. The examination process typically consists of an oral interview. Permanent appointments are conditional upon successful completion of a CAL FIRE training course.

Minimum Requirements:

Either I
Two years of experience in California state service performing the duties of a Forestry Technician. (Candidates who are within six months of meeting experience requirements may take the examination but cannot be appointed until they have obtained the required experience.)

Or II

Three years of experience in practical resource management or conservation work. (Qualifying experience includes: reforestation, timber harvest operation, urban forestry, or other related forestry work; environmental protection work; fire control experience in the California Department of Forestry, of which a minimum of one year must have been performing duties at a level of responsibility equivalent to the class of Fire Fighter II.)

Or III
Education: Equivalent to graduation from technical school in forestry or an AA or AS degree in forestry, natural resources, conservation, or a closely related subject. (Applicants who are within six months of graduation will be admitted to the examination but they must produce evidence of graduation or its equivalent before they can be considered eligible for appointment.)

 
 

FORESTRY ASSISTANT II

Forestry Assistants II assist Foresters in performing the more complex technical assignments in resource management and assume lead responsibility over technicians. As part of the emergency response team, during fire season, they also perform fire control or other emergency duties for which they have been trained. Assignments may be rotated for employee development. The examination process typically consists of an oral interview. Permanent appointments are conditional upon successful completion of a CAL FIRE training course.

Minimum Requirements:

Either I
Three years of experience in California state service performing the duties of a Forestry Assistant I. (Candidates who are within six months of meeting experience requirements may take the examination but cannot be appointed until they have obtained the required experience.)

Or II

Five years of progressively responsible resource management experience. (Qualifying experience includes: reforestation, timber harvest operations, urban forestry, or other related forestry work; environmental protection work; fire control experience in the California Department of Forestry, of which a minimum of two years must have been at a level of responsibility equivalent to the class of Fire Apparatus Engineer.)


Or III
Education: Equivalent to graduation from college with a degree in forestry, natural resource management, conservation, or a closely related subject. (Registration as a senior will admit applicants to the examination, but they must produce evidence of graduation or its equivalent before they can be considered eligible for appointment.)

 
 

FORESTER I

Foresters I perform professional forestry duties in connection with forest, range, and watershed management activities. Their duties include forest practice inspections, performing cultural operations at forestry nurseries, and supervising timber sales. The examination process typically consists of an oral interview. Permanent appointments are conditional upon successful completion of a CAL FIRE training course.

All appointments require possession of a valid license as a professional Forester issued by the California State Board of Forestry. As a Forester I, you will also be able to compete for higher-level career opportunities.

Minimum Requirements:

Either I
Possession of a valid license as a professional Forester issued by the California State Board of Forestry or possession of an authorized letter from the California State Board of Forestry, Professional Foresters Registration, to compete in the Registered Professional Forester exam. (Applicants with an authorization letter from the California State Board of Forestry, Professional Foresters Registration, will be admitted to the examination, but they must secure the license before they will be considered eligible for appointment.)

Or II

Experience: Two years of experience performing the duties of a Forestry Assistant II in the California state service. and

License Requirement: Possession of a valid license as a professional Forester issued by the California State Board of Forestry (applicants who do not possess the required license will be admitted to the examination, but they must secure the license before they will be considered eligible for appointment).

Or III

Experience: One year of experience performing the duties of a Forestry Assistant II in the California state service and six months of forestry work requiring professional skill. (Graduation from college with specialization in forestry, range management, or a closely related natural resource field may be substituted for the six months of forestry work.) and

License Requirement: Possession of a valid license as a professional Forester issued by the California State Board of Forestry (applicants who do not possess the required license will be admitted to the examination, but they must secure the license before they will be considered eligible for appointment).

Or IV

Experience: Either

1. Three years of experience in the California state service performing forestry work requiring professional skill, fire prevention, or supervising fire suppression work in a class comparable in level to a Forestry Assistant II. or

2. Two years of experience in forestry work requiring professional skill involving one of the following: management of a forest area; appraising forest resources; harvesting forest products; regulating forest practices; controlling forest pests; reforestation or tree nursery production; urban forestry; or range and watershed management duties. (Graduate work in forestry may be substituted for up to one year of the required experience on a year-for-year basis.) and

Education: Equivalent to graduation from college with specialization in forestry, range management, or a closely related natural resource field. (Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for up to two years of the required education on a year-for-year basis.) and

License Requirement: Possession of a valid license as a professional Forester issued by the California State Board of Forestry (applicants who do not possess the required license will be admitted to the examination, but they must secure the license before they will be considered eligible for appointment).


 
 
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