Forestry Crew Specialist 1/2 (Wildland Firefighter)

State of Louisiana; Minden (LA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

EAP program

Hazard pay

Longevity pay

On-call pay

Job summary

The Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry (LDAF) invites applications for a Forestry Crew Specialist role located in Webster Parish. The position supports fire prevention and suppression efforts in Louisiana’s forestlands and reports to the Forestry Parish Supervisor.

Advance your career with leadership opportunities and CDL options; eligibility for Hazardous Duty Services Retirement Plan is provided.

Qualifications

• Minimum qualifications include a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Possession of a current Louisiana driver's license is required.
• Candidate must undergo drug screening.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for making reports of forest fires, including gathering data such as location and number of acres involved.
• Assists the Forestry Crew Specialist Leader in the performance of forest management activities, including cruising, detecting, and controlling forest insects and diseases.
• Participates in Information & Education programs related to all forestry fields as required.
• Responsible for monitoring and/or performing the repair and maintenance of transport trucks, dozer tractors, various fire suppression equipment, and a variety of hand and power tools.
• Performs other duties as may be assigned.

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Job description

This position is located within the Office of Forestry in

This position is located within the Office of Forestry in Webster Parish. The Office of Forestry's primary responsibilities include suppressing timberland wildfires; promoting sound forest management practices, disseminating information; facilitating educational programs; producing reforestation seedlings; enforcing timber-related laws; investigating timber theft; and assisting community urban forestry programs. The incumbent of this position is responsible for performing duties related to fire prevention and suppression of wildfires in the forestlands of Louisiana. Supervision for this position is received from the Forestry Parish Supervisor.

Advance your career with leadership opportunities and CDL options. This position offers eligibility for the Hazardous Duty Services Retirement Plan at all levels of the CPG.

Why Join Us?

• Work in breathtaking natural settings
• Enjoy competitive pay and great benefits
• Make a real impact on the environment
• Be part of a passionate, supportive team

LDAF cares about the well-being of its employees! We offer a fully employer-funded Employee Assistance Program (EAP), providing valuable support and resources to help you and your household members thrive at work and at home. The EAP is also free for all members of your household.

Minimum Qualifications

Possession of a high school diploma or equivalent.

Necessary Special Requirement

Possession of a current Louisiana driver's license.

Job Specification

The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.

Job Duties And Other Information

• Responsible for making reports of forest fires, including gathering data such as location and number of acres involved.
• Assists the Forestry Crew Specialist Leader in the performance of forest management activities, including cruising, detecting, and controlling forest insects and diseases.
• Participates in Information & Education programs related to all forestry fields as required.
• Responsible for monitoring and/or performing the repair and maintenance of transport trucks, dozer tractors, various fire suppression equipment, and a variety of hand and power tools.
• Performs other duties as may be assigned.

Functional Requirements

• Moderate light lifting, 30 pounds, with occasional lifting of up to 50+ pounds
• Reaching above the shoulders and carrying specialist equipment needed to perform duties
• Occasional demands may be required for moderately strenuous activities in emergencies over long periods of time
• Climbing on and off the transport and tractor

Environmental Factors

• Working indoors and outdoors
• Excessive smoke, heat, humidity, cold, wet, and extreme dry conditions
• Walking on irregular ground for long distances
• Working around neighborhood/residential and wild land hazards
• Will be required to wear appropriate safety protection/clothing

Position-Specific Details

Appointment Type: Full-time, Probational

Career Progression: This position may be filled as a Forestry Crew Specialist 1 or 2, depending on the level of experience of the selected applicant(s).

Compensation

• This position has a Special Entrance Rate at each level of the Career Progression Group*

Forestry Crew Specialist 1 has an SER of $1,616.00 Bi-weekly.

Forestry Crew Specialist 2 has an SER of $1,728.80 Bi-weekly.

Other Benefits

This position is eligible to receive on-call compensation ($1.00/hour) when the employee is required to be available for work status at times outside of the regular work schedule. Work schedules and on-call rotations are determined by the Ag/Forestry Regional Administrator. Additionally, the incumbent of this position will receive hazardous duty pay ($1.73/hour) for all hours worked in addition to their base salary. Incumbent will also receive longevity based premium pay for all hours worked based on your years of service with LDAF.

• LDAF - Longevity-Based Premium Pay Schedule*

(*per hour for hours worked)

0-2 Years - $2.00.

2-4 Years - $3.00.

4-6 Years - $4.00.

6-8 Years - $5.00.

8+ Years - $6.00.

Location

This position is located within the Office of Forestry in Webster Parish.

Other Important Information

Candidates who hold a current Louisiana Class A or B CDL are encouraged to apply. New hires selected for these positions will have one year from their hire date to obtain a Louisiana Class B or higher CDL. The Department will provide training before the required testing date. Once a CDL is obtained, employees must remain with LDAF for at least one additional year or reimburse the Department for any CDL-related expenses incurred.

Louisiana is a State as a Model Employer (SAME) that supports the recruitment, hiring, and retention of individuals with disabilities.

All candidates for hire must undergo drug screening.

This agency participates in the E-Verify system for verification of citizenship and employment authorization.

Louisiana State Government represents a wide variety of career options and offers an outstanding opportunity to make a difference through public service. With an array of career opportunities in every major metropolitan center and in many rural areas, state employment provides an outstanding option to begin or continue your career.

As a State Employee, You Will Earn Competitive Pay, Choose From a Variety Of Benefits, And Have Access To a Great Professional Development Program:

Insurance Coverage: More information can be found at https://info.groupbenefits.org/

Parental Leave – Up to six weeks paid parental leave

More information can be found at https://www.civilservice.louisiana.gov/Parental-Leave/Default.aspx

Holidays and Leave

• New Year's Day
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day,
• Mardi Gras,
• Good Friday,
• Memorial Day,
• Independence Day,
• Labor Day,
• Veteran's Day,
• Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
• Additional holidays may be proclaimed by the Governor

State employees earn sick and annual leave which can be accumulated and saved for future use. Your accrual rate increases as your years of service increase.

Retirement

State Of Louisiana Employees Are Eligible To Participate In Various Retirement Systems (based On The Type Of Appointment And Agency For Which An Employee Works). These Retirement Systems Provide Retirement Allowances And Other Benefits For State Officers And Employees And Their Beneficiaries. State Retirement Systems May Include (but Are Not Limited To):

• Louisiana State Employees Retirement System (www.lasersonline.org). LASERS has provided this video to give you more detailed information about their system
• Teacher's Retirement System of Louisiana (www.trsl.org),
• Louisiana School Employees Retirement System (www.lsers.net), among others

Contact: Jennifer Ginn, Human Resources Supervisor, Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry, 5825 Florida Blvd., Suite 1001, Baton Rouge, LA 70806, [e-mail]