Forester I - DACF Agency Only - 0077

State-of-Maine; Ashland (ME); On-site; USD 51,000 - 71,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Gym membership reimbursement

Job summary

State of Maine is seeking a Forester I in Ashland to develop and implement forest and natural resource plans for state-owned lands. The role requires marking trees for removal, estimating timber volumes, and overseeing harvesting practices to ensure proper standards are met.

The position emphasizes coordination with agency partners and contractors, plus road planning and maintenance. A Bachelor's in Forestry or related field is required, with licensing as a forester within one year of employment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Forestry or related field; equivalent experience may substitute for education.
• Knowledge of Maine Forest Practices Act and related laws is required.
• Ability to use forest measurement instruments and GIS tools; strong communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement forest and natural resource management plans for state-owned lands.
• Mark trees for removal and estimate timber volumes; supervise harvesting operations for compliance.
• Coordinate road construction and maintenance on public lands in northern Maine; prepare reports and presentations.

Skills

Forestry knowledge

GIS

Dendrology

Forest mensuration

Communication

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Forestry

Tools

GPS

iPads

Data Recorders

Job description

If you are a current State of Maine employee, please submit your application through the internal application process using the Find Jobs report in PRISM. Seasonal employees who do not have PRISM access should apply through the State’s career page and indicate on the application that they have previously worked for the State..DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION & FORESTRYFORESTER I-DACF AGENCY ONLY-Opening Date: August 18, 2026Closing Date: End of the day August 31, 2026Location: AshlandPosition Number: 01740-0077Position Type: Full Time/Year-RoundClass Code: 9451Grade: 23 (Professional/Technical Unit)Salary: $50,502.40 - $70,865.60 Per Year**(This includes a 2.5% Salary Adjustment)Interested applicants need to submit a Direct Hire Application , along with a Cover Letter , and a detailed Resume**For us to properly determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for any posting, you must be sure your resume includes the month and year for any relevant experience listed. Your resume should include the duties and responsibilities associated with each position. Any experience that was not full-time employment should be identified as such.BRIEF JOB DESCRIPTION: This is professional services and scientific work involving developing and implementing multi-use forest and natural resource management and utilization plans for state-owned lands in Northern Maine. In this position, the incumbent designs, develops and implements natural resource management plans for state-owned lands, marks and designates trees to be removed and estimates volume of timber to be removed; inspects the performance of contractors in thinning and harvesting practices in order to identify and correct improper practices; writes reports and correspondence concerning forest management; develops, plans, and supervises road construction and maintenance on public reserved lands in order to ensure proper access and road upkeep. Works cooperatively with Agency partners including AWW, MNAP, local snowmobile clubs and other local groups.KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES : Knowledge of Maine Forest Practices Act and other land use laws affecting forest management; silviculture (forest ecology), dendrology, forest mensuration and GIS; recreation, wildlife and other natural resource management principles and practices; forest pathology and entomology, soil properties, road layout and construction, harvesting equipment, practices, costs and profit return, forest economics, recreation management principles and practices, current market conditions and timber values, pesticide regulations.Must be able to use forest measurement instruments and understand tables, communicate effectively, read and understand maps, explain forestry principles to laypersons, ensure compliance with and enforce applicable laws, rules and regulations, plan and implement forest resource plans, organize material for presentation, conduct meetings and workshops, use computers and related computer equipment (e.g. Data Recorders, iPads, GPS, GIS, etc.) Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively with coworkers, the public and Agency partners.For questions specific to the position, please contact Jacob Guimond at: [e-mail] or [phone]MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: A Bachelors’ Degree in Forestry or directly related field experience involving inspection and supervision of harvesting operations, surveying, cruising, timber marking, and general forest management planning. Equivalent related experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis.LICENSING/REGISTRATION/CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: (These must be met by all employees prior to attaining permanent status in this class): Must obtain licensure as a Licensed Forester from the Maine State Board of Licensure of Foresters within one (1) year from date of employment.Preference will be given to candidates who Two (2) years of field experience. Excellent communications and public speaking skills are a plus.Currently, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or STEM OPT extensions.No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto—"Dirigo" or "I lead"—as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:Work-Life Balance – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays , 12 days of sick leave , and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-100% of employee-only premiums ($12,213.60-$14,369.04 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.Health Insurance Premium Credit – Participation decreases employee-only premiums by 5%. Visit the Office of Employee Health and Wellness for more information about program requirements .Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($365.28 annual value).Retirement Plan – The State of Maine contributes 14.06% of pay to the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS), on behalf of the employee.Gym Membership Reimbursement – Improve overall health with regular exercise and receive up to $40 per month to offset this expense.Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts – Set aside money pre-tax to help pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses and/or daycare expenses.Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness – The State of Maine is a qualified employer for this federal program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid office .Living Resources Program – Navigate challenging work and life situations with our employee assistance program.Parental leave is one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a child—including fathers and adoptive parents—receive forty-two (42) consecutive calendar days of fully paid parental leave . Additional, unpaid leave may also be available, under the Family and Medical Leave Act .Voluntary Deferred Compensation – Save additional pre-tax funds for retirement in a MaineSaves 457(b) account through payroll deductions.Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness .There's a job and then there's purposeful, transformative work. Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn, grow, and continuously refine your skills. Applicants demonstrate job requirements in differing ways, and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role.As an Equal Opportunity employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics.If you’re looking for a great next step, and want to feel good about what you do, we’d love to hear from you. Please note reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.Thinking about applying?Research shows that people from historically excluded communities tend to apply to jobs only when they check every box in the posting. If you’re currently reading this and hesitating to apply for that reason, we encourage you to go for it! Let us know how your lived experience and passion set you apart..If you are unable to complete the online application, please contact the Human Resources representative listed on the job opening you are interested in applying for. They will work with you for an alternative method of submitting.