Forestry Technician I - Area 14

State of Mississippi; Mississippi; On-site; USD 37,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Mississippi Forestry Commission seeks a Forestry Technician I to cover Panola County, MS, performing field duties including protection, reforestation, and timberland management. The role requires forest inventory, tree measurement, and GPS-based documentation in outdoor conditions.

Candidates should have an Associate’s Degree with 0–2 years of experience, including walking fitness and pre-employment drug screening. CDL within the first year is required or obtained.

Qualifications

• Associate’s Degree required; 0–2 years experience preferred.
• Must pass walking fitness test and pre-employment drug screening.
• CDL license required or obtained within first year.
• Experience with forestry fieldwork and safety protocols preferred.

Responsibilities

• Protects, reforests, and manages timberlands on private and public property.
• Monitors forest conditions and signs of disease or storm damage.
• Maintains fire lanes to reduce wildfire risk.
• Participates in reforestation by preparing land and planting trees.
• Conducts timber inventories and measures tree growth.
• Documents forest health using maps, GPS, and field tools.
• Collaborates with federal agencies on land designations and conservation planning.
• Assists private landowners with forestry management practices.
• Supports forest fire suppression crews and safety protocols.
• Maintains tools, completes field reports, and adheres to safety rules.

Skills

Ecological knowledge

Forest inventory

Tree measurement

Fire management

Effective communication

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Adaptability

Empathy

Technological proficiency

Education

Associate’s Degree

Tools

GPS

Field tools

Job description

Forestry Technician I - Area 14 in 54 - PANOLA COUNTY, MS

State of Mississippi

$37,000.00 - $50,161.32 Annually

Location

54 - PANOLA COUNTY, MS

Full-Time

Job Number

9391-0451-20261006PAN

0451 - FORESTRY COMMISSION

Opening Date

10/15/2026

10/29/2026 at 11:59 PM Central Time (US & Canada)

Agency Minimum Salary

$37,000.00

$50,161.32

About the Agency

This position is with the Mississippi Forestry Commission, with duties and responsibilities in Coahoma, Panola, Quitman, and Tallahatchie Counties. If you have any additional questions about this position, please contact Ben Vanderford at [e-mail].

A forestry technician’s work duties include protecting, reforesting, and managing timberlands on both private and public property in accordance with Mississippi Forestry Commission regulations. In this role, the technician monitors forest conditions, identifies signs of disease or storm damage, and helps maintain fire lanes to reduce wildfire risk. They also participate in reforestation efforts by preparing land, planting trees, and evaluating seedling survival. The job requires conducting timber inventories, measuring tree species and growth, and documenting forest health using maps, GPS, and field tools. Forestry Technicians frequently collaborate with federal agencies on land designations, conservation planning, and critical-area mapping. Another major responsibility is assisting private landowners by providing guidance on proper forestry management practices, including tree planting, timber stand improvement, pest control, and sustainable harvesting. In addition, they may support forest fire suppression crews by clearing brush, operating equipment, or helping contain fires. The role also involves maintaining tools and equipment, completing field reports, and adhering to all safety protocols while working outdoors under various conditions

What you’ll need to be Successful

To succeed in forestry, one needs hard and soft skills, including ecological knowledge, technological proficiency, forest inventory and measurement, fire management, effective communication, analytical thinking, problem-solving, adaptability, and empathy. These skills are crucial for navigating forestry challenges and contributing to forest preservation and management.

Preferred Qualifications

Typically requires an Associate’s Degree and 0-2 years of experience.Hiring Agency Qualifications: Additionally, candidates must pass a walking fitness test and a pre-employment drug screening. Employees must possess or obtain a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) within the first year of employment.

See MSPB Careers for information regarding this classifications

Employer State of Mississippi

Address 210 East Capitol Street
Suite 800
Jackson, Mississippi, 39201