FORESTRY ASSISTANT

County of Los Angeles; California (MO); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Los Angeles County Fire Department seeks candidates for Forestry Assistant duties, including directing field crews, conducting inspections, and educating the public at community events. The role supports forest management, plant propagation, and wildfire prevention through field projects and compliance activities.

Applicants must meet licensing requirements (California Class C license, B license with water tank, air brake, and passenger endorsements within one year), pass EMT-1 training, and be

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited college with specialization in forestry or a related field.

Responsibilities

• Oversees and directs field crews (Forestry Technicians, volunteers, and vendors) handling inspections, manual labor, and planting operations.
• Conducts enforcement inspections under supervision to monitor compliance with laws and regulations.
• Represents the department at community events and conducts field demonstrations to educate the public.
• Prepares forestry projects by evaluating conditions and selecting plant species for planting/removal to protect life, property, and environment.
• Evaluates regulatory compliance by reviewing inspection information and coordinating corrective actions.
• Develops GIS maps by collecting forestry data for landscape health assessments.
• Staffs the 24-hour Henninger Flats facility, giving guided tours and supporting education/conservation programs.
• Responds to 24-hour emergency incidents by providing logistics support.

Education

Graduation from an accredited college with specialization in forestry or a related field

Job description

FIRE DEPARTMENT

TYPE OF RECRUITMENT

We welcome applications from anyone.

FILING DATES

The application filing period will begin on Monday, September 28, 2026, 8:00 a.m., (PT) - Continuous.

We will keep accepting applications until the positions is filled.

The application window may close unexpectedly once we have enough qualified candidates.

EXAM NUMBER

30328K

• Oversees and conducts field work (e.g. Inspections, manual labor, landscaping) by directing field crews (Forestry Technicians, volunteers, and vendors), engaging in manual seed collecting, field reforestation (i.e. removing invasive plant species and planting native species), native plant propagation in nurseries, determining the type, number and placement of trees to be planted, managing tree nurseries, by using a chainsaw to thin forest, and applying herbicides, insecticides, and other chemicals for weed abatement, and by operating Class B commercial vehicles and towing chippers/trailers in order to complete forestry related projects.
• Conducts enforcement inspections under the supervision of Deputy Foresters by inspecting properties (e.g. brush clearance inspections, oak tree ordinance inspections), by communicating compliance findings with property owners, in order to monitor compliance of laws and regulations.
• Serves as departmental representative at community events (e.g. county fairs, job fairs, school presentations) by coordinating, scheduling, and giving presentations or informal talks regarding forestry activities; conducting field demonstrations in order to educate the public.
• Prepares forestry projects, by evaluating physical conditions (e.g. environmentally sensitive areas, defensible space requirements), conducting site preparation, and selecting appropriate plant species for planting and removal, in order to protect life, property, and the environment.
• Evaluates regulatory compliance by reviewing and analyzing inspection information in accordance with state and county codes and ordinance, and coordinates corrective measures in order to protect life, property, and the environment.
• Develops Geographic Information Systems maps by collecting fire perimeter data, by hiking uneven terrain and collecting forest management data in order to utilize silvicultural techniques to accurately assess forest health.
• Staffs the 24 hour facility at Henninger Flats visitor center/museum by giving guided field tours, by participating in education and conservation programs, by patrolling campgrounds, rendering emergency medical services to the general public, and by covering night shifts in the absence of lower-level staff in order to provide a safe venue for outdoor recreational activities.
• Responds to 24 hour emergency incident needs by performing support roles in logistics (e.g. supply unit, ground support unit, facilities unit and resource unit) in order to support the needs of the incident.

REQUIREMENTS TO QUALIFY

Graduation from an accredited college* with specialization in forestry or a related field**.

LICENSE

A valid California Class C Driver License* is required to perform job-related essential functions.

A valid California Class B Commercial Driver License with water tank, air brake and passenger endorsements is required within one year from the date of appointment and prior to completion of probationary period.

Successful applicants for this position will be required to obtain and present a copy of their driving record from the California State Department of Motor Vehicles before being appointed. Applicants should not present a copy of their driving history until asked to do so by the hiring department. The County will make an individualized assessment of whether an applicant's driving history has a direct or adverse relationship with the specific duties of the job. License must not be currently suspended, restricted, or revoked.

WITHHOLD

No withhold will be allowed for this recruitment. You must fully meet the requirements at the time of filing your application.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT INFORMATION

To receive credit for your education or license, include a legible copy of all relevant official documents, including your transcript from an accredited institution or driver license by emailing it to [e-mail] within 15 calendar days of filing your application. The document should show the date the degree was conferred and be in English. If not in English, then translation is required. International degrees must be evaluated for equivalency to U.S. standards if not listed in the International Handbook of Universities or World Higher Education Database. Documents marked as unofficial will not be accepted. For more information on our standards for educational documents, please visit: https://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/dhr/070812_PPG123.pdf

We do not accept password-protected documents. Ensure documents are unlocked before attaching to your application or sending to the exam analyst.

*Related field includes but is not limited to Urban Forestry, Forestry Recreation, Recreation Administration, Landscape Architecture, Wildfire, Wildfire Management, Natural Resources Management, Botany, Environmental Sciences (Ecology), Agriculture, Horticulture, and Arboriculture. All related fields may be reviewed for content and curriculum emphasis.

PHYSICAL CLASS

4 - Arduous. Involves frequent heavy lifting over 25 pounds, often combined with bending, twisting, or working on irregular surfaces; and occasionally requires extraordinary physical activity.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

VISION:

(1) Acuity - At least 20/70 in each eye without correction, correctable to 20/30 in each eye. (2) Color Perception - Anything other than minor hue impairment is disqualifying.

HEARING:

Applicants cannot be medically qualified if the hearing in either ear shows greater than a 40 dB loss as averaged in the four test frequencies of 500, 1000, 2000 and 3000 Hz; nor may there be greater than a 45 dB peak loss at any one of the test frequencies. Applicants whose test results fall between the acceptable and unacceptable ranges will be individually evaluated.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Persons appointed to this class shall obtain Emergency Medical Technician-1 (EMT-1) certification through successful completion of the departmentally provided EMT-1 training program, or from a school, or an EMT program accredited by the local Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Agency and successfully pass the National Registry for Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) basic exam within one year from time of appointment.

EXAMINATION CONTENT

This examination will consist of TWO (2) parts:

PART I

A multiple choice and/or simulation assessment(s), weighted at 50%, assessing:

• Professional Potential
• Achievement
• Coping with Uncertainty
• Responsibility
• Working to High Quality Standards
• Willingness to Learn
• Working Relationships
• Analyzing Information
• Learning Quickly
• Generating New Ideas
• Using Time Efficiently
• Adapting to Change

Multipage and/or simulation assessments are not reviewable by candidates per Civil Service Rule 7.19.

PART II

An evaluation of Training and Experience (T&E), weighted at 50% assessing:

• Professional/Technical Knowledge of:
  • Laws and Regulations, Professional Standards, Policies, and Procedures
  • Forestry Management and Fire Science
  • Emergency Operations
  • Safety and Emergency Equipment Use
  • Hand Tools and Power Equipment Use

Applicants must meet the requirements and achieve a passing score of 70% or higher on the combined score of Parts I and II in order to be placed on the eligible register.

Notice of Non-acceptance and Final Result letters will be sent via email. Test scores cannot be given over the phone.

TRANSFER OF TEST COMPONENTS

If you have taken identical components recently for other exams, your responses may be automatically transferred to this examination. This exam contains test components that might be used on future exams, and your responses could be transferred to that exam.

TEST PREPARATION

We provide study guides and other test preparation resources to help candidates prepare for employment tests. While the guides may help in preparing for the test, we recommend reviewing all related materials that seem necessary.

• Various information can be found on our website at https://hr.lacounty.gov/job-search-toolkit/. The section dedicated to test preparation is "Employment Test Assistance."
• Online practice tests are available at https://www.shldirect.com/en-us/practice-tests. You can also visit our Los Angeles County Online Assessment Preparation Series webpage at https://lacounty.attract.neogov.com/la-county-online-assessments-prep-series for information about common online assessment types, sample questions, and test-taking tips.

ELIGIBILITY AND VACANCY INFORMATION

Applicants who passed the assessment(s) are placed on a list in the order of their score group for a period of twelve (12) months. Applications will be processed as they are received and added to the list accordingly. We will use this list to fill vacancies in the Fire Department as they occur.

PASSING THIS EXAMINATION AND BEING PLACED ON THE ELIGIBLE REGISTER DOES NOT GUARANTEE AN OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT

BACKGROUND CHECK AND MEDICAL EXAMINATION

This position/recruitment requires a background check and medical extermination. Qualified candidates must meet both requirements at the time of appointment. Conditional offer of employment may be rescinded if these criteria are not met.

SHIFT

Any Shift-Appointees must be willing to work any shift, including evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.

EMAIL NOTIFICATIONS

We will send notifications to the email address provided on the application, so it is important that you provide a valid email address. If you choose to unsubscribe or opt out from receiving our emails, it is possible to view notices by logging into governmentjobs.com and checking the profile inbox. It is every applicant's responsibility to take steps to view correspondence, and we will not consider claims of missing notices to be a valid reason for re-scheduling an exam part. Register the below domains as approved senders to prevent email notifications from being filtered as spam/junk mail.

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New email addresses need to be verified. This only needs to be done once per email address and can be done at any time by logging in to www.governmentjobs.com and following the prompts. This is to enhance the security of the online application and to prevent incorrectly entered email addresses.

APPLICATION AND FILING INFORMATION

We only accept applications filed online. Applications submitted by U.S. mail, fax, or in person are not accepted. This website can also be used to get application status updates.

Falsification of information on your application and any attachments will result in refusal of application, rescission of appointment, or restriction of application to future recruitments.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE

Acceptance of your application depends on whether you clearly show that you meet the requirements. For each job held, give the name and address of your employer, your job title, beginning and ending dates, and description of work performed. All information supplied is subject to verification. APPLICATIONS MAY BE REJECTED AT ANY STAGE OF THE SELECTION PROCESS.

Questions regarding this posting may be emailed, with the exam name Forestry Assistant and exam number 30328K in the subject line, to [e-mail].

TESTING ACCOMMODATIONS INFORMATION

If you require an accommodation to fairly compete in any part of the assessment process, you will be given the opportunity to make a request when completing your application. Please note, you may be required to submit documentation from a qualified medical provider or other qualified professional to support your request for a testing accommodation.

Department Contact Name

Fire Examination Section

Department Contact Phone

[phone]

Department Contact Email

[e-mail]

California Relay Services Phone:

[phone]

Teletype Phone:

[phone]