Forest Officer

State of Oregon; Redmond, Powell Butte (OR, OR); On-site; USD 50,000 - 77,000; Full time

Job summary

The Forest Officer position with the State of Oregon Military Department is based at the BIAK training center in Powell Butte, Oregon. It requires leadership of fire suppression crews, incident command on incidents, and enforcing fire prevention statutes while maintaining engine readiness and safety compliance.

Applicants may be assigned to varying shifts and must meet physical fitness requirements, possess a valid license, and pass background checks.

Qualifications

• Forest Officer role requires 4 seasons in wildland fire suppression or a forestry degree with 1 season of wildland fire suppression.
• Must pass the Work Capacity Test at the arduous level.
• Applicants must be 18+ and possess a valid driver's license at hire.
• Work experience should clearly describe relevant experience as listed in the qualifications.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and guidance to assigned fire suppression specialists on a daily basis.
• Serve as an Incident Commander and function at higher IC levels on complex incidents.
• Administer and enforce Oregon’s fire prevention statutes and rules.
• Operate a fire engine and ensure engine/crew readiness.
• Coordinate and perform physical labor to suppress and extinguish wildfires and perform maintenance.

Skills

Leadership

Incident Command

Education

Bachelor's degree in forestry or closely related natural resources field

Job description

Initial Posting Date: 10/23/2026 Application Deadline: 11/01/2026 Agency: State of Oregon Military Department Salary Range: $4,519 - $6,900 Position Type: Employee Position Title: Forest Officer Job Description: The Oregon Military Department is a state agency that supports the Oregon National Guard. You are NOT required to be a member of the Oregon National Guard to apply for this position. The Oregon Military Department is recruiting for a Forest Officer. This is a permanent full-time state position located at the BIAK training center in Powell Butte/Crook County, Oregon. This position is represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees’ (AFSCME) union. NOTE: This recruitment announcement will be used to establish a list of qualified candidates to fill the current vacancy and may be used to fill future vacancies as they occur. OMD is dedicated to diversity efforts that reinforce respectful treatment of others in the workplace. These efforts focus on identifying ways to work better together, reducing conflict by increasing understanding, improving collaboration, fostering teamwork, and increasing productivity and quality of services delivered by OMD.

What You Will be Doing

The primary purpose of the Wildland Fire Captain (WFC) is to provide leadership and guidance to assigned fire suppression specialists on a recurring daily basis. The WFC serves as an Incident Commander and may function at a higher ICs level on more complex incidents. This position is responsible for the administration and enforcement of Oregon’s fire prevention statutes and rules. This position serves as an operator of a fire engine, responsible for engine/crew readiness and guidance of the assigned crew or crews. This position coordinates and/or performs physical labor necessary to suppress and extinguish wildfires. Duties include detection, pre-suppression, prevention, and suppression. Also performs routine building and ground maintenance.

Working Conditions

The Wildland Fire Captain is expected to work in a safe and efficient manner, including reporting to work for scheduled shift with all personal protective equipment (PPE). The WFC is required: to drive wildland fire engines obeying all traffic laws and drives on steep narrow forest roads; to work various shifts including holidays, nights, weekends, and long hours on short notice; to take assignments to emergency incidents that may require the employee to be away from duty station for an extended period of time; to occasionally required to work under adverse conditions such as noise, smoke, heat, rough terrain, dust, inclement weather and exposure to poison oak, bees and poisonous snakes. Work requires occasional exposure to heavy equipment operations, aircraft, hazards of burning and/or falling material, and chemical and biological pesticides.

What You Need to Qualify

• Forest Officer – Four (4) seasons in wildland fire suppression ***OR*** Bachelor's degree in forestry or closely related natural resources field -AND- One (1) season of wildland fire suppression.
• Note: Successful applicants must take and pass the physical fitness Work Capacity Test at the arduous level.
• Note: Applicants must be 18 years of age and have a valid drivers license at the time of hire.
• Please Note: Please be sure that the work experience section of your application clearly describes your experience, skills and or education that are relevant to the above listed “What You Need to Qualify” section of the announcement.

Additional Requirements

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license and acceptable driving record.
• Must possess and maintain a Single Resource Boss (SRB) certification.
• Must possess and maintain an Incident Commander Type 5 (ICT5) certification
• Desired Special Qualifications Provided by the manager prior to recruitment.

Conditions of Employment

• Must have and maintain a favorable Criminal background History check and be able to obtain and maintain a favorable Department of Defense National Agency Check with Inquiries (NACI) Suitability Determination (T1). (Conviction of a crime will not automatically preclude appointment, the circumstances involved in the conviction will be considered).
• Must pass a medical screening and a physical fitness (work capacity) test.
• Employee is required to maintain a drug/alcohol free workplace in accordance with OMD Drug/Alcohol CPM’s, Policies, and the Statewide Drug Free Workplace Policy 50-000-01.

Work Experience

The work experience section of your application must include a clear description of your experience to determine if you meet the required skills (minimum qualifications) and at what level you meet the requested skills. Your answers to supplemental questions about your specific experience must also be supported in the work experience statements in your application form and, if requested, your resume.

You Must Download the Following to Your Application (Failure to attach the required documents may result in your application not moving forward in the process)

• A current resume that clearly describes your experience and/or education related to the requirements of the position and demonstrates that you meet the minimum requirements of the position as listed.

Additional Information

Only complete applications will be considered. Be sure to answer all supplemental questions completely and to show your experience in the Work Experience section of your application. The selection process will consist of an evaluation of experience and training. All final candidates using education to meet minimum qualifications will be required to provide a copy of their transcripts (official or unofficial) during the process.

This announcement closes at 11:59PM on the close date listed. The successful candidate for this position will be subject to a LEDS check. The successful candidate for this position will be subject to a fingerprint-based background check. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S without a visa sponsorship. (Applicants who require a visa sponsorship will not be considered at this time). The State of Oregon does not request or require your age, date of birth, attendance or graduation dates from an educational institution during the application process. The use of outside resources such as Artificial Intelligence software during applicant skill assessments, examinations, and/or interviews is prohibited unless otherwise stated by the hiring agency. Unauthorized use of outside resources during the hiring process will result in disqualification.

Career Development

Learn new skills, Career Growth Opportunities, Great Team Environment, and a sense of belonging. With Oregon Military Department, you will feel excited about the work you do and feel valued for your contribution and collaboration.

Our Team

The Oregon Military Department is a team of diverse, dedicated, and collaborative individuals that work together to support our states Army and Air National Guard.

Visit our agency website

OMD

Veteran Percentage Points

Since the time of the Civil War, Veterans of the Armed Forces have been given some degree of preference in appointments to government jobs. In recognizing the sacrifices made by those serving in the Armed Forces, Congress enacted laws... To receive veterans’ preference points, when you answer “yes” you are a veteran, you will receive a task from your Workday account requesting you to upload your military documents. Please do NOT attach your military documents to your initial application.

• To qualify for 5 points A copy of your DD214/DD215 showing honorable discharge from active duty.
• To qualify for 10 points A copy of your veterans’ disability preference letter from the Dept. of Veterans Affairs showing honorable discharge from active duty and that you have a service-connected disability.
• For Transitioning Service-Members A “working” Copy of your DD215-DD215 (typically Member-4) showing under honorable conditions discharge from active duty within 120 days or Less from Ending Term of Service (ETS) date.
• Eligible Oregon National Guard servicemembers (current and former) who meet the qualifications of the position will be awarded candidate preference.

For additional detailed information regarding Veteran Preference Point Laws.

Contact Information

Shawn Potapoff 971-209-5712 [e-mail]

Oregon state government is a large organization by nearly any standard. With over 40,000 employees working all over the state, in small communities and large, we are proving that government can be innovative. We work as a team, challenging ourselves to be better, faster and more efficient with taxpayer dollars. After all, when every day we are responsible for caring for the needs of a diverse population and thriving business community, we simply must have the best and brightest workforce. If you take responsibility for your actions, are passionate about helping others succeed, and have a reputation for excellence and honesty, why not make Oregon state government your next career move? Joining our team means you open the door to many possibilities. From entry level to executive, outdoor work to policy setting, we have a role for nearly every calling, expertise and background. If you’re looking at us from across the country (or beyond!), know that Oregon is one of the most beautiful places on earth. Made up of seven diverse regions, Oregon has the ocean, mountains, valleys, high desert, cities, small towns, and almost everything in between. Oregon “flies with her own wings.”