Forest Technician - Weiser Forest District, Dauphin County

Commonwealth Of Pennsylvania; Halifax Township (PA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources seeks a Forest Technician with CN Fors District 18 to support forest health, recreation access, and resource management. You’ll gain hands‑on experience in plant identification, mapping with GIS/GPS, and field studies across the district.

This seasonal, full‑time role runs March through November 2026, with hours 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Monday–Friday.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree in forest technology or equivalent forestry education.
• Experience in plant identification, mapping and resource management.
• Valid PA driver's license (Class C).

Responsibilities

• Maintain Campsites: Improve access, remove debris, and care for river island facilities.
• Document Resources: Use GIS and GPS tools to map features and collect inventory data.
• Identify Species: Record plant types and note rare or sensitive vegetation on river islands.
• Manage Invasives: Control invasive plants and assist with recommended treatments.
• Support Forestry Work: Help prepare timber sales, mark trees, and collect technical forest data.

Skills

Plant identification

GIS mapping

Resource management

Education

Associate's degree in forest technology

Equivalent forestry education

Tools

GPS devices

GIS software

Job description

Salary

$23.94 Hourly

Location

Dauphin County, PA

Job Type

Civil Service Seasonal Full-Time

Job Number

CS-2026-57989-54140

Department

Department of Conservation & Natural Resources

Division

CN Fors Dstr #18

Opening Date

09/08/2026

Closing Date

9/21/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Job Code

54140

Position Number

00019802

Union

AFSCME

Bargaining Unit

B1

Pay Group

ST05

Bureau / Division Code

00388118

Bureau / Division

Bureau of Forestry, Forest District 18

Worksite Address

2800 White Oak Road

City

Halifax, Pennsylvania

Zip Code

17032

Contact Name

Kassandra Schuyler

Contact Email

[e-mail]

THE POSITION

As a Forest Technician with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Weiser Forest District, you will support projects that protect forest health and improve recreational access. This job offers hands on experience with plant identification, mapping and resource management. You will assist with maintenance, invasive species control and field studies across the district. This role suits individuals who want meaningful work that supports conservation goals.

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This position supports fieldwork, resource management and forest stewardship tasks with a focus on river island recreation and ecosystem care. As a Forest Technician, you will perform the following duties:

• Maintain Campsites: Improve access, remove debris, and care for river island facilities
• Document Resources: Use GIS and GPS tools to map features and collect inventory data
• Identify Species: Record plant types and note rare or sensitive vegetation on river islands
• Manage Invasives: Control invasive plants and assist with recommended treatments
• Support Forestry Work: Help prepare timber sales, mark trees, and collect technical forest data

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• This is a seasonal, position with no healthcare benefits. There is not an option to buy into health care benefits. The season runs from approximately March 2026 until November 2026 at which time the employee will be placed on leave without pay. The employee will automatically be returned to employment March 2027.
• Work hours are 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
• Overtime and travel may be required
• Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• An associate's degree in forest technology; or
• Completion of equivalent formal education in forestry.

Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree.

Conditions of Employment:

• 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 www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html 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.

EXAMINATION INFORMATION

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.