Initial Posting Date:
01/11/2021
Application Deadline:
05/31/2021
Agency:
Forestry Department
Salary Range:
4,022.00 – 6,141.00
Position Type:
Employee
Position Title:
Forest Officer (Philomath, Dallas, Toledo)
Job Description:
Do you have strong leadership skills working as a wildland firefighter? Are you looking for a seasonal job opportunity? If so, good news, the Oregon Department of Forestry is currently hiring.
The Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Mission is – To serve the people of Oregon by protecting, managing, and promoting stewardship of Oregon’s forests to enhance environmental, economic, and community sustainability.
To see what it’s like to be part of ODF’s respectful, inclusive, and professional team, click here.
The Oregon Department of Forestry hires seasonal wildland firefighting positions each year. These positions generally work from June through September; however, the duration of the season and job conditions vary by location. Not all locations have vacancies each year. Interviews are projected to be completed by end of May; however, application reviews may begin at any time. For best consideration, apply by February 28, 2021.
UNDERFILL OPTION: The goal of this recruitment is to fill positions at the Forest Officer level, however, we encourage candidates who meet the minimum qualifications for Forest Officer Entry level ($3,345 – $5,091) to apply. If we are unable to fill the positions at the higher level we will consider underfilling them at the Forest Officer Entry level until the selected candidate meets the minimum qualifications for the Forest Officer level. Minimum qualifications for both the Forest Officer and Forest Officer Entry are located in the Qualifications & Desired Attributes Section of this announcement.
The West Oregon District provides forest fire detection and suppression on approximately 1.1 million acres of forest land. There are 3 unit offices within the West Oregon District, the Philomath Unit, the Dallas Unit, and the Toledo Unit.
If you have any questions about the positions please contact Jason Rayburn, Wildland Fire Supervisor, at 825 Oak Villa Rd, Dallas, OR 97338 or by phone at 503-934-8146 or email jason.rayburn@oregon.gov
NOTE: Successful applicants will be required to provide their own work boots (8″ leather with vibram soles).
Housing Information
Toledo Office – Housing is available.
Philomath and Dallas Office– No housing is available at either location.
To view a map of West Oregon District along with its surrounding offices, please click here.
New to Philomath? Click here New to Dallas? Click here
New to Toledo? Click here
What will you do:
Direct crews while participating in wildland fire suppression, pre-suppression, fire prevention and safety activities. You will serve as an initial attack incident commander directing resources in suppression activities while making strategic and tactical decisions. Your duties will include, locate fires using maps, Mobile Mapping Applications, Global Positioning System (GPS) and compass; construct fire line using hand tools and/or power equipment; participate in mop-up duties; and operate and monitor firefighting vehicles in support of wildfire suppression. As a Forest Officer, you will be tasked the enforcement of Oregon forest fire laws, implementing the local fire prevention program and public outreach in an assigned unit, along with completing detailed forms to include fire reports and legal documents such as burn permits and citations. You will participate in safety meetings, develop and participate in fire training, provide both formal and experience based coaching for cooperators, landowners and fire crews. You will be maintaining regular contact with forest operators, landowners and the public involving explanation or interpretation of forest laws and fire programs striving to build and maintain positive working relationships. Your duties also include operating department vehicles including but not limited to cars, trucks, forklifts, cache vans, All Terrain Vehicle’s (ATV’s), and fire engines. Your other duties are performing maintenance on fire equipment, buildings and grounds. You may also function as Duty Officer in the absence of the Wildland Fire Supervisor, perform Industrial Fire Inspections and/or be required to get certification as a Class A Fire Warden.
Because the Department’s highest priority work is a forest fire emergency, this position may be utilized during those emergencies to provide assistance in a variety of ways. That assistance may be directly aiding the emergency effort in the field or at the Salem headquarters. It also may be in providing backup to fill in for another position that is being used in direct aid to the emergency or it may be in performing an essential function in some capacity either within this program or elsewhere in Salem or in the field.
Working Conditions:
You must maintain a valid driver’s license and an acceptable driving record. Required to drive wildland fire engines obeying all traffic laws and drives on steep narrow forest roads. Required to work various shifts including holidays, nights, weekends, and long hours on short notice. Assignments to emergency incidents may require employee to be away from duty station for up to 21 days. Occasionally required to work under adverse weather conditions such as noise, smoke, heat, rough terrain, dust, inclement weather, and exposure to poison oak, bees and poisonous snakes. Requires occasional exposure to heavy equipment operations, aircraft, hazards of burning and/or falling material and chemical and biological pesticides.
For a complete list of duties and working conditions for this opportunity, please click here.
WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR
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Four (4) years in wildland fire suppression OR a Bachelor’s degree in forestry or closely related natural resources field and one (1) year of wildland fire suppression, OR
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Two (2) years in wildland fire suppression and an Associate’s degree in forestry or closely related natural resource field. (One 3-6 month season is equivalent to 1 year of experience).
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Two (2) years of experience in natural resource wildland fire suppression. (One 3-6 month season is equivalent to 1 year of experience) – FOREST OFFICER ENTRY LEVEL
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Applicants must be 18 years of age by time of hire.
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Successful applicants must take and pass the physical fitness Work Capacity Test at the arduous level as a condition of hire. Please click on this link for information about the Work Capacity Test.
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May be required to obtain the Class B or higher Warden certification within the trial service period.
Preference may be given to candidates whose application demonstrate skills, abilities and/or experience in the following:
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Wildland Fire Investigation
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Operating Structural and/or Wildland Fire Engines.
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Operating manual or split-shift transmissions.
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Conducting resource readiness of equipment and personnel.
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Enforcing forestry laws, rules and regulations to the public.
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Use of maps, iPads, compasses and GPS.
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Use of hand tools and operate motorized equipment commonly used for wildland fire.
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Effective conflict resolution.
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Understands and implements safe work practices.
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Maintains situational awareness at all times.
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Communicates with both internal and external customers including cooperators, landowners, the public and fire crews.
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Demonstrates strong decision making capabilities.
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Works collaboratively as a member of a team.
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Ability to work independently with general direction and minimal supervision.
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Demonstrates strong leadership and mentoring skills and has the ability to direct a crew of diverse individuals.
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Ability to perform in high stress, fast paced emergency situations.
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Ability to complete accurate reports in a timely manner with strong attention to detail.
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Analyzes information and evaluate results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
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Develop specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
These positions include duties that may require the possession of a Class A or B Commercial Driver’s License. Pursuant to the Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act of 1991 and regulations established by the Federal Highway Administration, you will be required to pass a controlled substance test as a condition of employment. If you successfully pass this test and are hired, you will also be subject to random, reasonable suspicion, post-accident, return-to-duty, and follow-up alcohol/controlled substance testing.
HOW TO APPLY
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Click on the “Apply” button above and complete the online application.
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Answer all the supplemental questions.
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Current fire qualifications. You must submit your current wildland fire incident qualification card, or equivalent with your application materials to provide proof of your qualifications.
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If you require an alternate format in order to complete the employment process, you may call ODF Human Resources at 503-945-7306.
IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW
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This announcement will be used to establish a list of qualified candidates for this position and may be used to fill future vacancies.
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The employee in this position will be represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and will be subject to all terms and conditions of the collective bargaining agreement.
DRIVING RECORD CHECK
This position requires the operation of a State vehicle for the purpose of conducting official State business. An Oregon driving record check will be conducted on the top applicants to ensure a valid license and acceptable driving record. If your license is from outside Oregon, you will be required to provide a three year court/DMV printout for the driving record check process. An unacceptable driving record includes:
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Conviction of a major traffic offense within the previous 24 months which includes reckless driving, driving under the influence, failing to perform the duties of a driver, criminal driving while suspended or revoked, fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, felony hit and run, etc.;
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Felony revocation of driving privileges or felony or misdemeanor license suspension within the previous 24 months;
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More than 3 moving traffic violations in the previous 12 months;
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A careless driving conviction in the previous 12 months;
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A Class A moving traffic violation in the previous 12 months.
VETERANS’ PREFERENCE
State of Oregon: Oregon job opportunities – Veterans
BENEFITS
State of Oregon: Oregon job opportunities – Benefits with state government
WORK AUTHORIZATION
The Oregon Department of Forestry does not offer visa sponsorships. Within three days of hire, all applicants will be required to complete U.S. Department of Homeland Security form I-9, confirming authorization to work in the United States.
ODF seeks a workforce that reflects the diversity and values of Oregonians and provides a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment. ODF promotes and supports the value of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), Affirmative Action (AA), and diversity.