Forestry Technician

AZ State Jobs; Chino Valley (AZ); On-site; USD 65,904,000 - 71,980,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Retirement plan

Paid holidays

Parental leave

Vacation time

Sick time

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management is seeking a Forestry Technician to conduct natural resource inventories and support wildfire mitigation across Arizona. The role requires work on challenging terrain and coordination with state contractors.

Ideal candidates hold a BS in Forestry or Environmental Science or have 2+ years field experience, with a valid driver’s license and willingness to travel. Salary ranges from $22.98 to $25.12 per hour with full State benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in Forestry, Environmental Science or related field OR 2+ years field work.
• Experience with forest health, surveys, and data collection.
• Driver's license and ability to travel within the state.

Responsibilities

• Monitor natural resource projects and report progress.
• Conduct surveys and inventories for watershed and forest health.
• Provide technical assistance on forestry techniques and insect/disease impacts.
• Perform pre-treatment activities including boundary layout and GPS.
• Travel for State business as required.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Forest ecology

Rangeland management

Restoration ecology

Fire ecology

Data analysis basics

ArcGIS

MS Office

Environmental law

Communication skills

Active listening

Pest identification

Ecological monitoring

Field measurement tools

Operations management

Clear communication

Critical thinking

Travel

Education

Bachelor of Science in Forestry / Environmental Science

2+ years field work experience

Tools

ArcGIS

MS Office

Job description

DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND FIRE MANAGEMENT

In partnership with local, county, state, and federal agencies, the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (DFFM) protects Arizona’s people by: providing coordination and resource response for the suppression and management of wildland fire; delivering education to aid in wildland fire prevention; providing integrated management strategies, technical assistance and information through various Department programs; collaborating in forest restoration projects; and ensuring fire and life safety through permitting, plan reviews and building inspections.

Forestry Technician

Job Location:

Address:1133 West Road 3 North
Chino Valley, AZ 86323

Posting Details:

Salary: $22.9807 - $25.1202

Grade: 18

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Job Summary:

The incumbent conducts natural resource inventories to evaluate condition, health, insect and disease damage, and presence of non-native and invasive species; assists Forester with data interpretation to design strategies that meet objectives pertaining to watershed improvement, forest health, and wildfire mitigation; comprehend and implement land management objectives as prescribed by a DFFM Forester; documents progress, performance, and contractual adherence of state contractors and forestry crews to report to district staff; designates and marks trees, identifies property boundaries and assists with the treatment unit layout of projects; respond to the needs of a diverse constituency; travel for extended periods throughout the State.

Job Duties:

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Monitor natural resource projects. Document the progress and effectiveness of the prescribed management treatments. Generate data to report outcomes, successes, and suggestions for future treatment entries.
  
• Conduct natural resource surveys and inventories to inform treatment strategies pertaining to watershed improvement, forest health, and wildfire mitigation.
  
• Provide technical assistance to DFFM staff and constituents related to forestry techniques, forest health, insect and disease impacts and hazardous fuels management.
  
• Perform and assist Foresters in pre-treatment activities including harvest designation, identifying property boundaries, treatment unit boundary layout, equipment access, GPS, etc.
  
• Drive on State business
  
• Other duties as assigned
  

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of:

• Natural resource management in forest ecology, rangeland management, restoration ecology, fire ecology, or similar field.
  
• Basic analytical analysis techniques for data collection.
  
• Microsoft Office Products, ArcGIS and other related software.
  
• Environmental and cultural laws and regulations.
  

Skills in:

• Quality communication skills, both oral and written.
  
• Listening, as a key to effective communication.
  
• Plant, insect and forest pathogen identification.
  
• Data collection and analysis related to ecological monitoring.
  
• Use of forestry field measurement instruments and programs.
  

Ability to:

• Perform operations management and similar applied elements of forestry and/ or natural resource management.
  
• Communicate clearly and effectively to DFFM staff, contractors, constituents, or similar.
  
• Walk-on rugged and uneven terrain to perform layout and other pre-treatment activities efficiently and effectively.
  
• Think critically and creatively.
  
• Travel for extended periods throughout the State.
  

Selective Preference(s):

The ideal candidate for this position will have:
Bachelor of Science in Forestry, Environmental Science, Ecology or similar natural resource management program OR a minimum of 2-years of field work experience.

Pre-Employment Requirements:

• A valid Arizona Driver's License.
  

Any employee operating a motor vehicle on State business must possess and retain a current, valid class-appropriate driver’s license, complete all required training, and successfully pass all necessary driver’s license record checks. The license must be current, unexpired, and neither revoked nor suspended. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver’s license
record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records, and must complete all required driver training. An employee who operates a personally owned vehicle on state business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance (see Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) R2-10-207.11).

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply:Driver’s License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

Benefits:

The State of Arizona provides an excellent comprehensive benefits package including:

• Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans.
  
• Top-ranked retirement and long-term disability plans.
  
• 10 paid holidays per year.
  Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program, learn more at hr.az.gov/family-leave-expansion).
  
• Vacation time accrued at 4.00 hours bi-weekly for the first 3 years.
  
• Sick time accrued at 3.70 hours bi-weekly.
  
• Deferred compensation plan.
  
• Wellness plans.
  
• Tuition reimbursement eligible after one year of employment.
  

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave programhere. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Retirement:

• Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS).
  
• Participation is a mandatory condition of employment for all employees who meet the eligibility and membership criteria as defined in statute.
  
• Enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment.
• The current contribution rate is 12.00%

Contact Us:

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Selene Rojas at [e-mail] for assistance.
The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation, such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by calling [phone]. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.