Forestry Assistant II at Department of Forestry & Fire Protection San Diego County, CA

Department of Forestry & Fire Protection; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

CAL FIRE in California is seeking qualified applicants for a Firefighter position. The role requires medical clearance prior to hire and adherence to temporary appointment rules (TAU). Training through the CAL FIRE programs is part of the probationary process, including FFA and COA tracks.

Incumbents must maintain respiratory protection readiness (SCBA) and may be subject to limits on TAU duration. The state PLP 2025 salary reduction applies, with pay adjustments until 2027.

Qualifications

• Medical clearance prior to hire.
• TAU appointments are explained; temporary authorization rules apply.
• In accordance with state rules, a 9-month TAU limit in 12 months may apply.
• Temporary appointments may transition to permanent through an examination process.

Responsibilities

• Job Description and Duties are provided in the attached duty statement.
• During probation, complete CAL FIRE training (FFA/COA).
• Must wear SCBA and comply with respiratory protection requirements.
• Willingness to work nights, weekends, or holidays as needed.

Skills

Driver license (CA)

Job description

Job Description and Duties

Job Description and Duties. Please see the attached duty statement for details on this position. Contact Forester II Eric Just at [phone] or by email at [e-mail], for questions related to the duties of the position. Candidate may be selected by resume review. You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

Completes CAL FIRE Firefighter Academy (FFA) and Company Officer Academy (COA) training during probationary period as a condition of employment.

Maintains the Arduous Fitness Standard in accordance with department policy.

The Incumbent is required to wear respiratory protection equipment including self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).

As such Cal/OSHA requires that the Incumbent be annually medically cleared to be fit-tested for respiratory protection equipment.

Willingness to complete all training and both obtain and maintain status as a Department Public Officer may be subject to working nights weekends or holidays.

This position does not qualify for Range B. This range shall apply to incumbents in positions approved by the Department of Personnel Administration's and the State Personnel Board's staff as having regular, direct responsibility for work supervision, on the job training, and work performance evaluation of at least two inmates, wards or resident workers who substantially replace civil service employees for a total of at least 173 allocated hours of inmates', wards', or resident workers' time per pay period.

Special Requirements

The position(s) require(s) Medical Clearance prior to being hired. TAU applicants are encouraged to apply.

What is TAU? TAU appointments to this classification are made under temporary authorization regardless of eligibility.

In accordance with the California State Constitution, no person may serve in one or more positions under a temporary appointment longer than 9 months in 12 consecutive months.

Therefore, all time served in temporary appointments (for example, CAL FIRE's Firefighter I) during the 12 consecutive month period will count towards this 9 month maximum.

An employee gains no status or rights as a result of the TAU appointment and an employee who has had only a TAU appointment has no reinstatement eligibility.

Persons who do not possess the minimum qualifications for the classification are ineligible for appointment as a TAU.

Temporary Appointments will require eligibility to be obtained through an examination process in order to transition to a permanent appointment.

If you are offered and accept a TAU appointment, you will be required to take the next exam administered for this classification.

If you do not apply to take the exam, score too low to be in a reachable rank, or if you fail the test, your TAU appointment will be terminated immediately once exam results are released.

Desirable Qualifications

• Possession of a valid California driver license of the appropriate class issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the website and the website.

In July 2025, the State of California implemented the Personal Leave Program (PLP) 2025. This program temporarily reduces employees’ monthly base pay in exchange for paid leave credits. This position is subject to PLP 2025 and will have a monthly base pay reduction of 3% in exchange for 5 hours of leave credits through June 2027. The salary ranges shown on this job posting do not reflect the salary reduction.