Forestry Technician I – Assistant County Ranger

Ncagr; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 37,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

North Carolina Forest Service in Onslow County, NC, seeks a Forestry Technician I to assist the County Ranger with forestry services, education, and wildfire planning. The role requires knowledge of forest management, GPS/GIS tools, and strong communication, plus a willingness to travel to support emergency response and local outreach.

Typical work hours are 8–5, with after-hours readiness during fire danger periods and potential overnight travel.

Qualifications

• Associate degree or equivalent combination of education and experience in forestry.
• High school diploma or GED with two years of forestry-related experience.
• Knowledge of forest management, wildfire suppression and GPS/GIS tools.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills required.

Responsibilities

• Assist with servicing landowner forestry requests and programs.
• Support wildfire suppression planning and emergency response.
• Promote forestry education with partners, schools and groups.
• Respond to emergencies and coordinate with County Ranger unit.

Skills

Forest management knowledge

Wildfire suppression knowledge

GPS/GIS software knowledge

Written and verbal communication

Task organization and prioritization

Team player and calm under stress

Education

Associate degree in forest management or environmental/natural science

High school diploma or GED

Two years related forestry experience or equivalent

Job description

## Forestry Technician I – Assistant County RangerApply: Onslow County, NC: Full time: Posted Yesterday: End Date: October 10, 2026 (13 days left to apply): JR-125041**Agency**Dept of Agriculture , Consumer Services**Division**North Carolina Forest Service**Job Classification Title**Forestry Technician I (S)**Position Number**60031916**Grade**NC07**About Us**The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services provides services that promote and improve agriculture, agribusiness, and forests; protect consumers and businesses; and conserve farmland and natural resources for the prosperity of all North Carolinians. The Department employs approximately 2,000 employees.**Description of Work**\\*\\*Anticipated Vacancy-10/8/2026\\*\\* Please note: Job postings close at 11:59:59 p.m. the night before the listed Posting End Date above. “If there are no qualified candidates remaining in the applicant pool who meet the minimum education and experience or knowledge, skills and abilities required for the position then, an applicant who does not meet the minimum requirements may be considered for hire as a trainee. Salary for a trainee may be set lower than the classification salary range and recruitment range that is listed in the post. The salary is adjusted as the trainee obtains the additional education and experience to fully meet the position qualifications as outlined in the classification specification.” The North Carolina Forest Service is a team of professionals who provide forest protection, emergency response, resource management and environmental education to the residents and landowners of North Carolina through a variety of programs. The NC Forest Service provides services to the 100 counties in North Carolina. The Assistant County Ranger works with the County Ranger to provide services. Position requires: • Assist with servicing landowner requests for forestry assistance • Assist with programs to promote the importance of trees and tree care in the urban setting • Provide and promote forestry education through interaction with forestry partners, schools, civic groups and school organizations such as Tree Farm, National Wild Turkey Federation, FFA and 4-H • Promote the protection of the State’s natural resources through development of wildfire suppression planning • Respond in times of emergency such as wildland fires and natural disasters Work hours are typically 8-5 M-F. Extended times of readiness will involve evening, holiday, and/or weekend work. Must be available after working hours during fire danger periods and times of emergency response. Overnight travel will be required. Residency requirements discussed at time of interview. Duty Station Location: Onslow County Headquarters, 189 Firetower Road, Richlands, NC 28574 This position requires the successful completion of employer provided Ranger Training. Official NC Forest Service uniform and a State-owned vehicle will be provided to support everyday job responsibilities.**Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences**Recruitment Range-$37,377-$65,408 * Knowledge of forest management, wildfire suppression or use of GPS/GIS software.* Excellent written and verbal communication skills* Ability to organize and prioritize tasks to accomplish goals* Must be self-motivated, a team player, and able to remain calm under stress Click Here to Learn more about State Employee Benefits. **Any employment offer may be less than the maximum of the range due to salary equity with similarly situated employees or the selected candidate's related education and experience****.** Please follow the instructions to apply online. **It is important that your application includes all your relevant education and experience. Text or attached resumes ARE NOT accepted as a substitution for a completed application.**Applicants seeking veteran's/National Guard preference should submit a copy of their Form DD-214, NGB 23A (RPAS), DD256 or NGB 22. All Law Enforcement positions, aviation safety-sensitive positions, and positions requiring a Pilot's License or a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) shall be subject to pre-employment drug testing. All positions requiring a Commercial Driver's License shall also be subject to pre-employment DMV physicals. Selected applicants must obtain a U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) medical certificate prior to employment. If a CDL is listed as a preference and the selected applicant has a CDL at the time of hire, then the CDL will become a requirement for the position. \\* Note: When required, you must answer the question(s) for this position, or your application will be considered incomplete. \\* Questions regarding this posting? Contact 919-707-3201. **Minimum Education and Experience**Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details. Associate’s degree in forest management or an environmental or natural science curriculum from an appropriately accredited institution;**or** High school or General Educational Development (GED) diploma **and** two years of related experience in providing forestry services;**or** an equivalent combination of training and experience. Necessary Special Qualification: Possession of a valid North Carolina driver’s license required within 90 days of hire.