JC-529017 Forestry Technician-Fuels Reduction
- California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
- United States, CA, USA
- Sep 01, 2026
Job Description
This posting states its location as United States rather than a street address. The work is assigned within that county.
Classification: FORESTRY TECHNICIAN
Under close supervision of the Fire Captain, the Forestry Technician (Fuels Reduction Crew) serves Departmental objectives related to fuels management, fire prevention, and resource protection through the application of a broad range of fuels and vegetation modification programs and techniques.
Conduct safe and efficient operation of power equipment and hand tools implementing fuels reduction and prescribed fire projects while wearing required personal protective equipment. The use of tools for fuel reduction may include one or more of the following, depending upon complexity of the task and training/certification: drip torch, power mower or trimmer, chainsaw, brush saw, weed wrench, Pulaski, Hazel Hoe, shovel, lopper, hand pruner, bow saw, crosscut saw, paint brush, and herbicide applicator/spray tank. Utilize these tools to safely and efficiently perform various fuel modification tasks, including cutting, pruning, limbing, felling, scrapping, grubbing, piling, pulling, pushing, digging, burying, burning piles, igniting broadcast burns, and other fuel modification tasks as assigned. Follow direction given by a superior crew member. Safely and efficiently cut, remove, chip, pile, ignite, scrape the ground, vegetative material in the implementation of projects.
Operate utility and support vehicles in non-emergency responses. Assists in preventative maintenance program on all vehicles and equipment and tools. Safely and efficiently clean fuel modification tools by sharpening cutting edges, removing dirt, pitch, sap, debris, fueling, cleaning air filters, oiling and greasing moving parts, covering-with protective sheaths and stowing in assigned compartments. Clean work and rest areas of all trash and debris left by crew. Perform assigned vehicle maintenance as directed by changing vehicle oil, checking and filling vehicles fluids, checking and maintain tire pressures, cleaning the inside of the vehicles and washing the exteriors, lubricating and organizing fuel medication tools and equipment.
Review with supervisor Fuels Reduction project or Prescribe Burn plan and the specific tasks to accomplish project goals and objectives. Under close supervision layout projects by assessing, finding and flagging projects boundaries, protection zones, identifying sensitive areas in project, surveying projects for protected species, mapping project areas and work completed areas. Assist documentation of project information and work completion with data entry into CalMAPPER. Evaluate progress of fuels modification work and prescribe burn in terms of project plan and covered tasks and assessment areas.
Respond to emergency incidents as required per Department policy. Maintain proficiency, qualification, and experience standards in accordance with applicable laws, rules, and departmental policy.
Working Conditions
Willingness to work long and irregular hours, to work in remote parts of the State, to work on Sundays and Holidays, and during the summer season to remain on duty 24 hours a day, as required, restricted to duty assignments; adaptability, tact, and neat personal appearance.
May be required to work irregular work hours and days, including weekends and holidays. Maintains the Arduous Fitness Standard in accordance with Department policy. The incumbent is required to wear respiratory protection equipment, including self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). As such, CALOSHA requires the incumbent to be annually medically cleared to be fit-tested for respiratory protection equipment.
Qualifications
Special Requirements:
- The position(s) require(s) Medical Clearance prior to being hired.
- TAU applicants are encouraged to apply
- What is TAU? TAU appointments to this classification are made under temporary authorization
- In accordance with the California State Constitution, no person may serve in one or more positions under a temporary appointment longer than 9 months in 12 consecutive months
- Therefore, all time served in temporary appointments (for example, CAL FIRE's Firefighter I) during the 12 consecutive month period will count towards this 9 month maximum
- An employee gains no status or rights as a result of the TAU appointment and an employee who has had only a TAU appointment has no reinstatement eligibility
- Persons who do not possess the minimum qualifications for the classification are ineligible for appointment as a TAU
- If you are offered and accept a TAU appointment, you will be required to take the next exam administered for this classification
- If you do not apply to take the exam, score too low to be in a reachable rank, OR if you fail the test, your TAU appointment will be terminated within 48 hours of the exam results being released
Work for Warriors is a no-cost employment program of the California Military Department for Service Members, Veterans, and military family members. The Veteran Staffing Consultant for California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection is Chuck Callahan.
Qualifications
State
Immediate Fill
The men and women of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) are dedicated to the fire protection and stewardship of over 31 million acres of California's privately-owned wildlands. In addition, the Department provides varied emergency services in 36 of the State's 58 counties via contracts with local governments.
Preventing wildfires in the State Responsibility Area (SRA) is a vital part of CAL FIRE's mission. While these efforts have occurred since the early days of the Department, CAL FIRE has adapted to the evolving destructive wildfires and succeeded in significantly increasing its efforts in fire prevention. The Department's Fire Prevention Program consists of multiple activities including wildland pre-fire engineering, vegetation management, fire planning, education and law enforcement. Typical fire prevention projects include brush clearance, prescribed fire, defensible space inspections, emergency evacuation planning, fire prevention education, fire hazard severity mapping, and fire-related law enforcement activities.
Beyond its wildland firefighting role, CAL FIRE is an "all-risk" department. It may very well be a CAL FIRE engine and crew that is dispatched to the scene of an auto accident, or to a home where a child has become the victim of a drowning incident. The Department is always ready to respond - medical aids; hazardous material spills; swift water rescues; search and rescue missions; civil disturbances; train wrecks; floods, earthquakes and more.
Because of the Department's size and major incident management experience, it is often asked to assist or take the lead in disasters, including the Northern and Central California floods of 1997, 1998, and 2006; the 1991 Cantara train derailment and toxic spill; 1994 Northridge earthquake; 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake; the 1991 Tunnel Fire in the Oakland/Berkeley Hills; and the 2003 Southern California Fire Siege.
As part of the CAL FIRE team since 1995, the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) supports the CAL FIRE mission to protect life and property through fire prevention engineering programs, law and code enforcement and education. The OSFM provides for fire prevention by enforcing fire-related laws in state-owned or operated buildings, investigating arson fires in California, licensing those who inspect and service fire protection systems, approving fireworks as safe and sane for use in California, regulating the use of chemical flame retardants, evaluating building materials against fire safety standards, regulating hazardous liquid pipelines, and tracking incident statistics for local and state government emergency response agencies.
The OSFM, State Fire Training, and CAL FIRE Academy programs provide training education and certification programs for the California Fire Service. Through practical training exercises and classroom courses, every California firefighter is exposed to training standards that have been approved by CAL FIRE and OSFM, each among the best institutions in the nation for fire training education.
CAL FIRE's mission emphasizes the management and protection of California's natural resources; a goal that is accomplished through ongoing assessment and study of the State's natural resources and an extensive CAL FIRE Resource Management Program. CAL FIRE oversees enforcement of California's forest practice regulations, which guide timber harvesting on private lands. Reviews and inspections ensure protection of watershed and wildlife, as well as renewal of timber resources. Department foresters and fire personnel work closely to encourage and implement fuels management projects to reduce the threat of uncontrolled wildfires. CAL FIRE Foresters promote conservation and the importance of our trees and forests to Californians of all ages.
CAL FIRE manages eight Demonstration State Forests that provide for commercial timber production, public recreation, and research and demonstration of good forest management practices. Additional forestry programs include urban forestry, archaeology, pest management, etc.
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) is California's fire department and resource management agency. The organization is comprised of nearly 8,000 permanent and seasonal employees. The mission of the Department is to serve and safeguard the people and protect the property and resources of California.
CAL FIRE is an equal opportunity employer, providing equal opportunity to all regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age or sexual orientation. CAL FIRE offers well-paying careers and opportunities for advancement.
When you join CAL FIRE, you join a family of employees that function as a team. You will build trust and friendship with your co-workers, as together you respond to emergencies and challenging situations. CAL FIRE provides employees with a variety of career choices and opportunities. We hope that you will consider a rewarding and challenging career with CAL FIRE!
http://calfire.ca.gov/about/about_careers_vacancies