FORESTRY AIDE

State of California; California (MO); On-site; USD 30,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

The Forestry Aide position in the Sonoma Coast District is based at Willow Creek Maintenance Shop, Jenner, CA, reporting to the Senior Environmental Scientist. This entry-level role supports natural resource management and fuels reduction initiatives along the Sonoma Coast.

You will assist in implementing projects for protection, restoration, and management of natural resources, contributing to wildfire resilience and forest health efforts.

Qualifications

• Valid California Driver's License required.
• Must be able to work in outdoor environments and perform field tasks.

Responsibilities

• Assist natural resource management staff in projects to protect and restore natural resources.
• Support wildfire resilience and forest management efforts through field activities.

Skills

Driver's License

Field Work

Fitness Required

Job description

$21.60 - $26.71 per Hour New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: 9/18/2026

Job Description and Duties

FORESTRY AIDE –SONOMA-MENDOCINO COAST DISTRICT / RUSSIAN RIVER SECTOR / SONOMA COAST STATE PARK “Priority consideration will be given to any person receiving State public assistance under the CalWORKs program. Applicants who receive State public assistance need to identify their status as a CalWORKs recipient in the comments area on the application. Applicants must submit a verification of their CalWORKs eligibility status, which may include the most recent Notice of Action showing TANF eligibility or a copy of your last aid check stub. If verification is not submitted with the application, the application will not be processed. (Applicants may obtain verification from the CalWORKs program).” The reporting location for this position is the Willow Creek Maintenance Shop at Sonoma Coast State Park, 23455 Willow Creek Road, Jenner, CA 94923. This position will work under the direction of the Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisory). This position will assist natural resource management staff in implementing projects for the protection, restoration, and management of natural resources in support of the State Parks Wildfire and Forest Resilience Program. Join a dynamic and expanding team of natural resource professionals on the stunning Sonoma Coast. In this role, you will be part of critical forest resilience efforts, putting fire on the ground, conducting ecological restoration, and supporting the State Parks mission, all while working in some of California's most inspiring coastal landscapes. This position offers the opportunity to build highly technical, hands-on skills in beneficial fire, habitat restoration, tree felling, brushing, biological monitoring, and parks management. Forestry Aides are considered the introductory-level position of the Russian River Sector Natural Resources Crew, with expectations for building a growing base of knowledge, skills, and experience in natural resources, including a goal of becoming qualified as a Firefighter II (Basic Firefighter, FFT2) for prescribed burn operations and Basic Faller (FAL3).

This position can work 189 days in a 12 consecutive month period or a maximum of 1500 hours within 12 consecutive months per California Code of Regulation 265.1. This position is designated as not telework eligible.

The selected candidate is required to submit to a background investigation process utilizing Live Scan fingerprinting prior to appointment.

This position requires a valid Class C driver's license. You must answer the questions addressing your driver's license on your application. Ensure you provide your driver's license number, class, expiration date, and any endorsements and/or restrictions on your application.

State Housing is not available. For further information regarding this position, please contact Brendan O'Neil at [phone] or at [e-mail].

Per California Code of Regulations (CCR) 599.961, this is a sensitive position, and therefore subject to drug and alcohol testing. It should be noted that testing is not mandatory, but is allowed to be conducted only if and when there is a determination of reasonable suspicion as defined in CCR 599.962.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• FORESTRY AIDE

# of Positions:

Multiple

Telework: In Office

Department Information

The mission of California State Parks is to provide for the health, inspiration, and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state's extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation.

All employees are responsible for contributing to an inclusive, safe, and secure work environment that values diverse cultures, perspectives, and experiences, and is free from discrimination.

• The position(s) require(s) a valid California Drivers License (CDL). You must answer the questions addressing your CDL on your application. Ensure you provide your CDL number, class, expiration date, and any endorsements and/restrictions.
• The position(s) require(s) a Background Investigation be cleared prior to being hired.

Employee must attend (at employer’s expense) and pass Basic Firefighter training within 12 months of hire and must pass, within 1 month, the fire community's standardized Moderate Pack Test (Requirements: 2-mile walk with 25lb pack in 30 minutes. No jogging or running).

Candidates that believe they meet the Minimum qualifications based on a pattern of education from the classification description (specifications) must provide a copy of your degree/transcripts and/or license along with your application (STD. 678) to be considered for this position. If selected for the position, official sealed transcripts will be required prior to appointment.

DO NOT include any confidential information to your application or supporting documents (i.e., Social Security Number, birthdate, marital status, medical information, examination results, method of eligibility, etc.).

Contact Information

The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Department Website: http://www.parks.ca.gov

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled.You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.