FOREST RANGER

State of New Hampshire

New Hampshire

On-site

USD 34,000 - 56,000

Full time

14 days+

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Job summary

State of New Hampshire is seeking Forest Ranger I/II to perform field enforcement in forestry, open burning, timber tax, and wetlands regulations. The role includes woodland fire prevention, patrol duties, and coordination with Wardens across multiple districts.

The position requires non‑typical hours, including weekends and evenings, with 24‑hour availability as needed. Ideal candidates will have an associate degree or equivalent and at least two years of related experience in forestry, fire

Qualifications

Associate’s degree or equivalent from an accredited institute.
Two years of forestry, fire science, or criminal justice experience.
Must meet special requirements and be willing to work non‑typical hours (weekends/evenings).

Responsibilities

Enforce state forest protection laws through patrols and investigations.
Develop forest law enforcement programs and coordinate with wardens.
Oversee woodland fire suppression and prevention activities statewide.
Prepare reports and manage permits and required court paperwork.

Education

Associate’s degree or equivalent

Job description

State of New Hampshire Job Posting

Department of Natural and Cultural Resources

Division of Forest & Lands - Forest Protection Bureau

172 Pembroke Road

State of New Hampshire Job Posting

Department of Natural and Cultural Resources

Division of Forest & Lands - Forest Protection Bureau

172 Pembroke Road

Concord, New Hampshire 03301

Forest Ranger

Position #MR035-FR I-III

$25.96/hour - $41.77/hour

See total compensation information at the bottom of announcement.

The State of New Hampshire, Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, Division of Forest & Lands, Forest Protection Bureau, has a full-time vacancy for a Forest Ranger.

Summary:

Forest Ranger I:

Under the supervision of higher-level Forest Ranger staff, performs technical field work in an assigned district relating to forest law enforcement to include forestry, open burning, timber tax, and wetlands regulations; and promotes forest protection through organizing and participating in woodland fire suppression activities throughout the state as necessary. Works a non-typical work week including some weekends, evenings, and unscheduled hours and is subject to 24-hour availability.

Forest Ranger II:

Performs technical field work in an assigned district relating to forest law enforcement to include forestry, open burning, timber tax, and wetlands regulations; and promotes forest protection through organizing and participating in woodland fire suppression activities throughout the state as necessary. Works a non-typical work week including some weekends, evenings, and unscheduled hours and is subject to 24-hour availability.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Forest Ranger I:

Enforces all state forest protection statutes and the rules promulgated under the authority contained in same, by vigilant patrol of an assigned district to locate, investigate, apprehend, and prosecute violators of laws and rules pertaining to forestry, open burning, timber tax, and wetlands protection.
Mediates conflict between various forest users, fire personnel, the public, and landowners.
Promotes forest protection by providing information about the mission, goals, and objectives of the Division, and by planning and presenting programs related to woodland fire prevention.
Develops, plans and conducts forest law enforcement programs for Forest Fire Wardens, Deputy Wardens, Special Deputy Wardens, municipal fire fighters, municipal officials, timber industry personnel and the public in order to enhance agency effectiveness and achieve voluntary compliance.
Supervises forest patrol persons and air patrol, oversees forest fire lookout towers in the district and supervises fire lookout personnel to ensure an adequate woodland fire detection system exists in the district.
Aids and/or directs Forest Fire Wardens, Deputy Wardens, Special Deputy Wardens and municipal fire fighting personnel in woodland fire suppression/prevention activities to include developing, planning, and conducting woodland fire prevention/training to ensure a safe and efficient statewide woodland fire fighting organization.
Ensures Wardens, Deputy Wardens, and Special Deputy Wardens are available in each town and develops district plans and makes recommendations in the development of statewide/regional suppression/prevention programs.
Inspects all state-owned and town woodland fire equipment to ensure that all are in good working condition and recommends purchases to remain fire ready.
Performs assigned administrative functions including, but not limited to, preparing reports, issuing and reviewing state permits, preparing necessary court paperwork, and coordinating and providing general supervision for numerous special activities in both woodland fire and forest law enforcement.

Forest Ranger II:

Enforces all state forest protection statutes and the rules promulgated under the authority contained in same, by vigilant patrol of an assigned district to locate, investigate, apprehend, and prosecute violators of laws and rules pertaining to forestry, open burning, timber tax, and wetlands protection.
Mediates conflict between various forest users, fire personnel, the public, and landowners.
Promotes forest protection by providing information about the mission, goals, and objectives of the Division, and by planning and presenting programs related to woodland fire prevention.
Develops, plans and conducts forest law enforcement programs for Forest Fire Wardens, Deputy Wardens, Special Deputy Wardens, municipal fire fighters, municipal officials, timber industry personnel and the public in order to enhance agency effectiveness and achieve voluntary compliance.
Supervises forest patrol persons and air patrol, oversees forest fire lookout towers in the district and supervises fire lookout personnel to ensure an adequate woodland fire detection system exists in the district.
Aids and/or directs Forest Fire Wardens, Deputy Wardens, Special Deputy Wardens and municipal fire fighting personnel in woodland fire suppression/prevention activities to include developing, planning, and conducting woodland fire prevention/training to ensure a safe and efficient statewide woodland fire fighting organization.
Ensures Wardens, Deputy Wardens, and Special Deputy Wardens are available in each town and develops district plans and makes recommendations in the development of statewide/regional suppression/prevention programs.
Inspects all state-owned and town woodland fire equipment to ensure that all are in good working condition and recommends purchases to remain fire ready.
Performs assigned administrative functions including, but not limited to, preparing reports, issuing and reviewing state permits, preparing necessary court paperwork, and coordinating and providing general supervision for numerous special activities in both woodland fire and forest law enforcement.
Assists with the supervision of lower-level Forest Ranger staff to include providing training, giving instructions, reviewing work for accuracy and contributing to performance appraisals.

YOUR EXPERIENCE COUNTS

Each additional year of approved formal education may be substituted for one year of required work experience and/or each additional year of approved work experience may be substituted for one year of required formal education.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Forest Ranger I:

Education:

Associate’s degree or its equivalent from an accredited institute of higher education. Each additional year of approved formal education may be substituted for one year of required work experience.

Experience:

Two years of experience in forestry, fire science, criminal justice, full-time active military duty with honorable discharge, or any combination thereof.

License/Certification:

See attached.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Preference will be given to qualifying candidates who have education and/or work experience across the three disciplines of forestry, fire science and criminal justice.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

For appointment consideration, Forest Ranger I applicants must successfully participate in a written examination. This examination measures possession of knowledge, skills and abilities identified as necessary for satisfactory job performance by this class.

See attached for more special requirements.

For promotion from Forest Ranger I, to Forest Ranger II, employees must :

Meet the minimum qualification requirements of Forest Ranger II.
Meet Special Requirements #1 – 7 listed on the attached.
Successfully complete the field training program for Forest Rangers.
Receive satisfactory performance evaluations.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR FOREST RANGER I, II, Sergent & Lieutenant

Age: Must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age on the date indicated on the job announcement.
Physical Fitness and Strength: Candidates for initial appointment as a NH Forest Ranger must be able to pass a specified strength and agility test designed to measure ability to perform physically demanding tasks encountered in job performance. All Forest Rangers I, II, Sergent & Lieutenant, hired after January 1, 2005, will be required to submit to and pass, at 3-year intervals, a medical examination and physical fitness test, as a condition of continued employment.
General (candidates for initial appointment only): A medical examination shall be required after a conditional offer of employment has been made and prior to appointment. A thorough background investigation and reference check will also be made before appointment. Candidates who do not have a conviction‑free record of serious offenses will be ineligible for appointment.
Forest Ranger Certification: During the probationary period, employees must successfully complete the specified training courses and become fully certified as Forest Rangers qualified to fight forest fires by the New Hampshire Fire Standards and Training Commission or by the Director of the Division of Forests and Lands, unless already certified and certification is still in effect.
Police Officer Certification: During the probationary period, employees must satisfactorily complete the preparatory training program for police officers established by the New Hampshire Police Standards and Training Council and become certified as police officers pursuant to RSA 188‑F, unless already certified and certification is still in effect. Pursuant to RSA 227‑G:9, Forest Rangers hired prior to January 1, 2005 are required to be part‑time certified, whereas any Forest Ranger hired after that date is required to be full‑time certified. A minimum of eight (8) hours of approved training per year is required for continuing certification.
Residency: Candidates must be willing to accept employment anywhere in the state. Prior to completion of the probationary period, appointees must establish residency within their assigned district or region, as applicable for the position and detailed in the residency policy.
License: Upon appointment, candidate must obtain a New Hampshire driver’s licence in compliance with New Hampshire statutes and maintain for duration of employment.

NOTE:

Additional information concerning the physical fitness and strength test, Forest Ranger certification, or police officer certification can be obtained from the Division of Forests and Lands, Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

Forest Ranger II:

Education:

Associate’s degree or its equivalent from an accredited institute of higher education. Each additional year of approved formal education may be substituted for one year of required work experience.

Experience:

Three years of experience in forestry, fire science, criminal justice, full time active military duty with honorable discharge, or any combination thereof, with at least one (1) year of experience performing duties equivalent to a Forest Ranger I.

License/Certification:

See attached.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

See attached.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR FOREST RANGER I, II, Sergent & Lieutenant

Age: Must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age on the date indicated on the job announcement.
Physical Fitness and Strength: Candidates for initial appointment as a NH Forest Ranger must be able to pass a specified strength and agility test designed to measure ability to perform physically demanding tasks encountered in job performance. All Forest Rangers I, II, Sergent & Lieutenant, hired after January 1, 2005, will be required to submit to and pass, at 3-year intervals, a medical examination and physical fitness test, as a condition of continued employment.
General (candidates for initial appointment only): A medical examination shall be required after a conditional offer of employment has been made and prior to appointment. A thorough background investigation and reference check will also be made before appointment. Candidates who do not have a conviction‑free record of serious offenses will be ineligible for appointment.
Forest Ranger Certification: During the probationary period, employees must successfully complete the specified training courses and become fully certified as Forest Rangers qualified to fight forest fires by the New Hampshire Fire Standards and Training Commission or by the Director of the Division of Forests and Lands, unless already certified and certification is still in effect.
Police Officer Certification: During the probationary period, employees must satisfactorily complete the preparatory training program for police officers established by the New Hampshire Police Standards and Training Council and become certified as police officers pursuant to RSA 188‑F, unless already certified and certification is still in effect. Pursuant to RSA 227‑G:9, Forest Rangers hired prior to January 1, 2005 are required to be part‑time certified, whereas any Forest Ranger hired after that date is required to be full‑time certified. A minimum of eight (8) hours of approved training per year is required for continuing certification.
Residency: Candidates must be willing to accept employment anywhere in the state. Prior to completion of the probationary period, appointees must establish residency within their assigned district or region, as applicable for the position and detailed in the residency policy.
License: Upon appointment, candidate must obtain a New Hampshire driver’s licence in compliance with New Hampshire statutes and maintain for duration of employment.

NOTE:

DISCLAIMER STATEMENT:

The supplemental job description lists the essential functions of the position and is not intended to include every job duty and responsibility specific to the position. An employee may be required to perform other related duties not listed on the supplemental job description provided that such duties are characteristic of that classification.

For further information please contact Hiring Manager, Mr. Michael MAtons, Chief of Forest Protection, michael.j.matson@dncr.nh.gov

TOTAL COMPENSATION INFORMATION

The State of NH total compensation package features an outstanding set of employee benefits, including:

HMO or POS Medical and Prescription Drug Benefits:

The actual value of State-paid health benefits and the amount of employee health benefit contributions may vary depending on the type of plan selected and the bargaining unit with which a position is associated.

See this link for details on State-paid health benefits:

https://www.das.nh.gov/hr/benefits.aspx

Value of State's share of Employee's Retirement: 12.87% of pay

Other Benefits: