FORESTRY TECHNICIAN

State of California; United States; On-site; USD 46,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

CAL FIRE seeks a Forestry Technician-Fuels Reduction to support fuels management, fire prevention, and resource protection. You will perform field tasks with PPE, operate power tools, and assist in prescribed burn planning to meet project goals.

Working conditions include long hours in remote areas, occasional travel, and adherence to safety and training requirements as part of a 12-month limited-term full-time role.

Qualifications

• Experience in fuels reduction or related vegetation management tasks.
• Ability to operate power tools and equipment safely and with PPE.
• Willingness to work long hours, weekends, and travel as needed.

Responsibilities

• Perform fuels reduction tasks using prescribed methods and tools.
• Operate vehicles and maintain equipment and tools per maintenance schedules.
• Assist in planning and documenting prescribed burn projects and field tasks.

Tools

drip torch

power mower

chainsaw

brush saw

Pulaski

Hazel Hoe

shovel

loppers

Job description

Job Posting: Forestry Technician-Fuels Reduction

$4,148.00 - $5,879.00 per Month

New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: 9/7/2026

Job Description and Duties

Under close supervision of the Fire Captain, the Forestry Technician (Fuels Reduction Crew) serves Departmental objectives related to fuels management, fire prevention, and resource protection through the application of a broad range of fuels and vegetation modification programs and techniques.

Conduct safe and efficient operation of power equipment and hand tools implementing fuels reduction and prescribed fire projects while wearing required personal protective equipment. The use of tools for fuel reduction may include one or more of the following, depending upon complexity of the task and training/certification: drip torch, power mower or trimmer, chainsaw, brush saw, weed wrench, Pulaski, Hazel Hoe, shovel, lopper, hand pruner, bow saw, crosscut saw, paint brush, and herbicide applicator/spray tank. Utilize these tools to safely and efficiently perform various fuel modification tasks, including cutting, pruning, limbing, felling, scrapping, grubbing, piling, pulling, pushing, digging, burying, burning piles, igniting broadcast burns, and other fuel modification tasks as assigned. Follow direction given by a superior crew member. Safely and efficiently cut, remove, chip, pile, ignite, scrape the ground, vegetative material in the implementation of projects.

Operate utility and support vehicles in non-emergency responses. Assist in preventative maintenance program on all vehicles and equipment and tools. Safely and efficiently clean fuel modification tools by sharpening cutting edges, removing dirt, pitch, sap, debris, fueling, cleaning air filters, oiling and greasing moving parts, covering-with protective sheaths and stowing in assigned compartments. Clean work and rest areas of all trash and debris left by crew. Perform assigned vehicle maintenance as directed by changing vehicle oil, checking and filling vehicles fluids, checking and maintain tire pressures, cleaning the inside of the vehicles and washing the exteriors, lubricating and organizing fuel medication tools and equipment.

Review with supervisor Fuels Reduction project or Prescribe Burn plan and the specific tasks to accomplish project goals and objectives. Under close supervision layout projects by assessing, finding and flagging projects boundaries, protection zones, identifying sensitive areas in project, surveying projects for protected species, mapping project areas and work completed areas. Assist documentation of project information and work completion with data entry into CalMAPPER. Evaluate progress of fuels modification work and prescribe burn in terms of project plan and covered tasks and assessment areas.

Respond to emergency incidents as required per Department policy. Maintain proficiency, qualification, and experience standards in accordance with applicable laws, rules, and departmental policy.

Working Conditions

Willingness to work long and irregular hours, to work in remote parts of the State, to work on Sundays and Holidays, and during the summer season to remain on duty 24 hours a day, as required, restricted to duty assignments; adaptability, tact, and neat personal appearance.

May be required to work irregular work hours and days, including weekends and holidays. 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, CALOSHA requires the incumbent to be annually medically cleared to be fit-tested for respiratory protection equipment.

Limited Term positions are being filled up to 24 months.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• FORESTRY TECHNICIAN

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist

Position Details

Job Code #: JC-529018

Position #(s): 542-000-1085-XXX

Working Title: Forestry Technician-Fuels Reduction

Classification: FORESTRY TECHNICIAN

$4,148.00 - $5,379.00 A

$4,532.00 - $5,879.00 B

New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

# of Positions: 1

Work Location: United States

Telework: In Office

Job Type: 12 Month Limited Term - Full Time

Facility: Statewide

Department Information

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) is California’s fire department and resource management agency. The organization is comprised of nearly 12,000 permanent and seasonal employees. The mission of the Department is to serve and safeguard the people and protect the property and resources of California.

When you join CAL FIRE, you join a family of employees that function as a team. You will build trust and friendship with your co-workers, as together you respond to emergencies and challenging situations. CAL FIRE provides employees with a variety of career choices and opportunities. CAL FIRE offers well-paying careers and opportunities for advancement. We hope that you will consider a rewarding and challenging career with CAL FIRE!

Department Website: www.fire.ca.gov

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. 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.

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 within 48 hours of the exam results being released.

Benefits

• Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.
• Salary Range B - This range shall only apply to incumbents in positions with direct responsibility for work supervision, on-the-job training, and work performance evaluation of at least 2 inmates, wards, or resident workers.
• 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.

Contact Information

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

Department Website: www.fire.ca.gov

Hiring Unit Contact:
Linda Hang
[phone]

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.

EEO Contact:
Reasonable Accommodation Coordinator
[phone]
[e-mail]

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.