Natural Resource Specialist 1 - Winter Seasonal

Oregon Department of Human Services; Veneta (OR); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The Oregon Department of Forestry seeks a Natural Resource Specialist 1 - Winter Seasonal to coordinate fuels reduction projects, work with rural districts and landowners, and support grant administration. This winter role involves field coordination, reporting, and GIS documentation.

It runs from October 2026 through June 2027 with potential for future winters. Veterans and union representation apply; driving record checks are part of the process.

Qualifications

• Three years of forestry or closely related natural resource experience.
• Bachelor's degree in Forestry or related field required.
• Valid driver's license and ability to pass DMV checks.

Responsibilities

• Administer fuels-hazard abatement grants and track deliverables.
• Provide technical guidance to landowners, districts, and partners.
• Coordinate project planning, inspections, and compliance checks.
• Use GIS tools to document progress and assist grant reporting.
• Support wildfire response and emergency operations as needed.

Skills

Fuels management

Wildfire behavior

Outreach

Grant management

GIS / mapping

Problem solving

Field operations

Education

Bachelor's degree in Forestry or related field

Tools

GPS devices

Job description

Initial Posting Date: 09/28/2026 Application Deadline: 10/06/2026 Agency: Forestry Department Salary Range: $4,519 - $6,276 Position Type: Employee Position Title: Natural Resource Specialist 1 - Winter Seasonal

Job Description

Real Jobs. Real Impact. Are you up to the Challenge? Join a team that helps care for Oregon’s forests. Our Mission – To protect and promote resilient forests that benefit all Oregonians. ODF is hiring for Winter Seasonal positions estimated to run from October 2026 through June 2027. This position will be for winter of 2026/27 and 2027/28. NOTE: This recruitment is to establish a pool of candidates for winter season work. Preference will be given to employees who have been hired for winter season work for ODF in prior years.

Great Benefits Package - watch this video here

What you will be doing

This position provides on-the-ground and administrative process coordination and leadership to fuels reduction projects. Serves as liaison with rural fire districts, university extension agents, cities and counties. Provides technical forest management advice to private landowners pertaining to fire planning and fuel reductions practices. Maintains effective project tracking systems, including assistance with expenditure tracking. Documents on-the-ground progress using GPS and occasionally GIS tools. Responsible for grant administration support. Through utilization of natural resource and fuels management knowledge, this position administers federal grant projects that ODF has already secured. Including but not limited to: contacting landowners, explaining grant program to landowners, signing the landowner up in the program, checking the property, estimating amount of work to be done, answering landowners questions, checking project completion, and requesting payment/reimbursement/authorization. Also assists with fire program needs, such as helping with fire staffing needs on District, and potentially off District fire assignments.

General Duties

• Administer fuels‑hazard abatement grant projects
• Provide outreach, education, and technical guidance to landowners and community partners
• Assist in project planning, inspections, and compliance checks
• Use GIS tools to track and document project progress
• Maintain reports, budgets, and grant deliverables to meet federal requirements
• Coordinate with program staff and help resolve project issues
• Conduct onsite reviews of work progress and completion
• Support wildfire emergency operations, including firefighting or incident support
• Assist with essential duties during major fire emergencies as needed

Minimum Qualifications

• Three years of experience in Forestry or a closely related natural resource field; OR A bachelor's degree in Forestry or a closely related natural resource field.

Note: Driver’s License Check – This position requires the operation of a state vehicle for official State business. As part of the hiring process, the agency uses Advanced Reporting LLC to conduct all required DMV and CDL driving‑record checks. Advanced Reporting LLC will obtain and review the driving record for the top candidate to verify possession of a valid license and an acceptable driving record.

Desired Skills

• Knowledge of fuels management, wildfire behavior, and fire‑risk reduction practices
• Strong communication and outreach skills for working with landowners and community partners
• Ability to manage grant projects, including budgeting, tracking deliverables, and reporting
• Proficiency with GIS tools for mapping, planning, and data management
• Problem‑solving skills and the ability to work effectively in field conditions and emergency wildfire situations

Salary Determination

Per the Pay Equity Law passed in 2017, a pay equity analysis for starting salary will be conducted to determine what pay step the successful candidate will be offered. The analysis will be based on the submitted materials and the time of application. No other documents will be accepted after submission of application. Please include any relevant information and materials if you wish to be compensated accordingly.

Additional Details

This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies. This position is represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). If you have questions about this position, please contact Hiring Manager: [e-mail] Oregon Department of Forestry does not offer visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, all applicants will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security's Form I-9, confirming authorization to work in the United States. Veterans - Eligible veterans and Oregon National Guard servicemembers (current and former) who meet the qualifications of the position will be awarded candidate preference. After you have applied you will be sent a task in your Workday account to provide your veteran documentation at that time. For further information, please see the following website: Veterans Resources. If you have questions about the job announcement, or need an alternate format to apply, please contact: [e-mail].

ODF is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Aff… We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or any other class protected by state or federal laws in admission or access to our programs, services, activities, hiring, and employment practices. Oregon state government is a large organization by nearly any standard. With over 40,000 employees working all over the state, in small communities and large, we are proving that government can be innovative. We work as a team, challenging ourselves to be better, faster and more efficient with taxpayer dollars. After all, when every day we are responsible for caring for the needs of a diverse population and thriving business community, we simply must have the best and brightest workforce. If you take responsibility for your actions, are passionate about helping others succeed, and have a reputation for excellence and honesty, why not make Oregon state government your next career move? Joining our team means you open the door to many possibilities. From entry level to executive, outdoor work to policy setting, we have a role for nearly every calling, expertise and background. If you’re looking at us from across the country (or beyond!), know that Oregon is one of the most beautiful places on earth. Made up of seven diverse regions, Oregon has the ocean, mountains, valleys, high desert, cities, small towns, and almost everything in between. Oregon “flies with her own wings.”