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 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.
These seasonal positions are represented by Service Employees International Union.
The statewide Protection From Fire Program’s main purpose is to protect 15.8 million acres (24,900 square miles) of private and public forestland from fire. The acreage protected includes 3.5 million acres of ´wildland-urban interface´, which are forest lands with residences and other structures within the reach of wildfire in that area. This is done through a complete and coordinated system of fire prevention, suppression and fuels management.
La Grande Office: The La Grande Unit of the Northeast Oregon District oversees the protection of private forest land within Union County. We protect 398,444 acres with five Type 6 engines and a D5H dozer available for use district wide. The hiring supervisor is Mitch Williams. If you have any questions regarding these positions within the La Grande Unit you may contact Mitch at (541) 963-3168.
Pendleton Office: The Pendleton Unit of the Northeast Oregon District oversees fire protection on private forest land within Umatilla, and small portions of Morrow and Grant County. There are two duty stations within the Pendleton Unit; Pendleton and Ukiah. The Ukiah Guard Station is located 50 miles south of Pendleton. The hiring supervisor is Matt Hoehna. If you have any questions regarding these positions within the Pendleton Unit, you may contact Matt at (541) 276-3491.
Wallowa Office: The Wallowa Unit of Northeast Oregon District oversees fire protection of over 600,000 acres of private, state and municipal forest land within Wallowa County using engines and a dozer module. The hiring supervisor is Joseph Goebel. If you have any questions regarding positions within the Wallowa Unit, you may contact Joseph at (541) 886-2881.
Baker City Office: The Baker City Sub-Unit is responsible for the protection of private forest land within Baker and portions of Malheur Counties. Two duty stations are located in the Baker Sub-Unit; Baker City with two Type 6 Engines, and Unity with 1 Type 6 Engine. Unity is located approximately 40 miles southwest of Baker City. The hiring supervisor is Steve Meyer. If you have any questions regarding positions within the Baker Sub-Unit, you may contact Steve at (541) 523-5831 x1.
NOTE: Successful applicants will be required to provide their own boots (8” leather with vibram soles).
To view a map of Northeast Oregon, including La Grande, Pendleton, Wallowa and Baker City along with its surrounding offices please click here.
Housing Information
La Grande Office – No housing is available.
Pendleton Office – Housing is available at the Ukiah Guard Station. No housing is available at Pendleton.
Wallowa Office – No housing is available in Wallowa.
Baker City Office – Limited housing is available in Unity.
The Oregon Department of Forestry: Serving Oregonians by protecting Oregon’s forests.
New to La Grande? Click here New to Pendleton? Click here
New to Wallowa? Click here New to Baker City? Click here
Duties & Responsibilities
Duties Include:
Responsible for wildland fire suppression serving as an initial attack incident commander directing resources in suppression activities.
Directs resources by making strategic and tactical decisions.
Constructs fire line using hand tools or power equipment. Participates in mop-up duties, operates and monitors firefighting vehicles in support of wildland fire suppression.
Responsible for enforcement of Oregon forest fire laws, and implement a local fire prevention program and public outreach in an assigned unit.
Participates in safety meetings, develops and participates in fire training, both formal and experience based coaching, for cooperators, landowners and fire crews.
Operates department vehicles including but not limited to cars, trucks, forklifts, cache vans, All Terrain Vehicle’s (ATV’s), and fire engines.
Performs maintenance on fire equipment, buildings and grounds.
Completes detailed forms including but not limited to fire reports and legal documents such as burn permits and citations.
Maintains regular contact with forest operators, landowners and the public involving explanation or interpretation of forest laws and fire programs.
Builds and maintains positive working relationships with cooperators, landowners, and the public.
May function as Duty Officer in the absence of the Wildland Fire Supervisor.
May perform Industrial Fire Inspections and may require certification as a Class A Fire Warden.
Locates fires using maps, Global Positioning System (GPS) and compass.
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.
Qualifications, Required & Requested Skills
Minimum Qualifications
Forest Officer
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
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).
Underfill Option: Forest Officer Entry
Two (2) years of experience in natural resource wildland fire suppression. (One 3-6 month season is equivalent to 1 year of experience).
NOTE: Transcripts are required to be attached to your application if you are using education or coursework to meet the minimum qualifications. Transcripts must clearly show 1) your name; 2) the name and address of the institution; 3) the degree received and; 4) required courses completed with a passing grade. For application purposes, unofficial copies are acceptable; however official or original documents may be requested to validate education. Transcripts must be attached to your application and WILL NOT be accepted as verification of education after the announcement has closed.
THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA APPLIES TO BOTH THE FOREST OFFICER AND FOREST OFFICER ENTRY MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Applicants must be 18 years of age by time of hire.
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.
Must obtain the Class B Warden certification within the trial service period.
Preference may be given to candidates who have 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. Attach this document to the ‘Attachments’ section of your job application.
NOTE: 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 must submit at least a three year court/DMV printout at the time of interview.
ODF Standards for operation of State vehicles is more stringent than State license laws and includes as unacceptable:
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.;
Felony revocation of driving privileges or felony or misdemeanor license suspension within the previous 24 months;
More than 3 moving traffic violations in the previous 12 months;
A careless driving conviction in the previous 12 months;
A Class A moving traffic violation infraction in the previous 12 months.
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.
Desired Attributes:
Maintains situational awareness at all times.
Communicates with both internal and external customers including cooperators, landowners, public and fire crews.
Demonstrates strong decision making capabilities.
Works collaboratively as a member of a team.
Ability to work independently with general direction and minimal supervision.
Demonstrates strong leadership and mentoring skills and has the ability to direct a crew of diverse individuals.
Ability to perform in high stress, fast paced emergency situations.
Ability to complete accurate reports in a timely manner with strong attention to detail.
Analyzes information and evaluate results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Develops specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Maintains an adequate level of fitness to perform assigned duties.
Additional Information
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
To improve communication with all applicants the State of Oregon requires an e-mail address be provided on all applications. If you do not currently have an e-mail address and do not know where to go to get one, please refer to our Applicant Frequently Asked Questions web page to view several links to internet providers where you can get a free e-mail account. The State of Oregon does not endorse any particular provider.
To ensure clear communication, please unfilter emails from neogov.com and governmentjobs.com.
Please note: 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. Pay and benefits on all job announcements may change without further notice.
If you require an alternate format in order to complete the employment process, you may call ODF Human Resources at 503-945-7200.
Only complete applications will be considered. Your answers to the supplemental questions must be reflected in the work experience section of your application. Be sure to answer all supplemental questions and attach all required documents. Responses to the supplemental questions will determine if you meet the minimum qualifications, any special qualifications and/or desired attributes for the position. Do not submit a resume in place of completing the Supplemental Questionnaire or the Work Experience section of the application.
Qualified applicants whose responses most closely match the requirements for this position will be invited to interview. Transcripts must be submitted to receive credit for education coursework at the time of application.
Veterans – If you are an eligible veteran and you meet the minimum qualifications, veterans’ preference points will be added to your score. To receive veterans’ preference points you MUST attach to your electronic application the following required documentation:
A copy of the DD214/215 for the five (5) point preference;
OR A copy of the DD214/215; AND a veteran’s disability preference letter from the United States Department of Veterans’ Affairs for the ten (10) point preference.
For more information on veterans’ preference points visit www.oregonjobs.org, and select veterans’ preference.
PLEASE NOTE: 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.
THE OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY, AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER COMMITTED TO WORK FORCE DIVERSITY
A career with Oregon state government offers MANY benefits
The following information describes typical benefits available for employees. Actual benefits received may differ by position or branch of government or be prorated for other than full time work. Core BenefitsComprehensive medical (with vision) and dental plans and $5,000 in employee basic life insuranceEmployer typically contributes 95% of premium for coverage of employees and dependents Optional Insurance BenefitsGroup-based premiums for· Term life (employee, spouse or domestic partner, and dependents)Long-term and short-term disabilityAccidental Death and DismembermentLong-term care (self and eligible family members) Flexible Spending AccountsEmployee-funded flexible spending accounts for tax savings on eligible health care or dependent care expenses Retirement BenefitsMembership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP) Six percent employer paid contribution into a defined contribution programEmployer contribution into a defined benefit programOption to enroll in the Oregon Savings Growth Plan, a deferred compensation program offering a wide variety of investment optionsPaid Leaves & Other BenefitsSick leave earned at the rate of 8 hours per month with no maximum accumulationVacation leave earned at a minimum rate of 8 hours per month with accrual rate increases at 5-year increments24 hours personal leave earned each fiscal yearTen paid holidays a yearInnovative Employee Assistance Program that offers work-life counseling, along with homeowner, legal and family resources
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