Let your passion for the outdoors lead you into a career with real environmental impact! The Forester role with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources places you at the center of forest management and protection. You will help maintain healthy forest lands, support wildlife habitats, and guide responsible timber practices. This position is ideal for someone who wants meaningful work that strengthens the state’s natural landscapes. Apply today and keep Pennsylvania’s forests strong for future generations!
This role focuses on managing state forest resources and supporting forest protection efforts. Work involves planning, field operations, and coordination of specialized programs. As a Forester, you will perform the following duties:
- Forest Planning: Conduct field and office work to support development and revision of resource management plans
- Silviculture: Apply appropriate treatments to commercial and non-commercial forest stands in line with accepted practices and guidelines
- Timber Operations: Oversee timber sale layout, road design, and contract administration for assigned acreage
- Mapping and Surveying: Operate computer programs and tools to collect, process, and use survey data
- Regeneration Projects: Support fencing, herbicide work, and other activities that promote healthy forest regeneration
- Protection Duties: Perform fire warden responsibilities and assist with fire prevention, fire suppression, and insect control
Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.
Work Schedule and Additional Information:
- Full-time employment
- Work hours are 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
- Overtime and travel as needed
- Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework), depending on agency needs. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Coudersport. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
- Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
- You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.
QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:
- Two years of technical forestry experience, and an associate’s degree in forest technology, forestry, forest management, forest ecosystem management, urban forestry, forest science, agroforestry, or a related forestry degree; or
- A bachelor’s degree in forest technology, forestry, forest management, forest ecosystem management, urban forestry, forest science, agroforestry, or a related forestry degree; or
- A master’s degree in forest technology, forestry, forest management, forest ecosystem management, urban forestry, forest science, agroforestry, or a related forestry degree.
- Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within three months of graduating with a qualifying degree.
Special Requirement:
- You must possess a valid PA non-commercial Class C driver’s license or equivalent.
Other Requirements:
- PA residency requirement is currently waived for this title.
- You must be able to perform essential job functions.
How to Apply:
- Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
- If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
- Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
- Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
- All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant’s own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.
Veterans:
- Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.
Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):
- 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).
If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.
The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.
- Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
- Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
- Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
- You must provide complete and accurate information or:
- your score may be lower than deserved.
- you may be disqualified.
- You may only apply/test once for this posting.
- Your results will be provided via email.