JC-529137 - Forestry Aide - Demonstration State Forests (DSF)- California
- California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
- California, USA
- Sep 08, 2026
Job Description
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) is recruiting to fill any vacant Forestry Aide positions at the following Demonstration State Forests:
- Jackson Demonstration State Forest, Mendocino County
- LaTour Demonstration State Forest, Shasta County
- Boggs Mountain Demonstration State Forest, Lake County
- Emigrant Gap Demonstration State Forest, Placer County
- Mountain Home Demonstration State Forest, Tulare County
- Soquel Demonstration State Forest, Santa Cruz County
All appointments are temporary and will not become permanent. Students looking for summer jobs, graduate students, or individuals who meet the minimum qualifications listed below are encouraged to apply.
Typical Tasks
In the fields of forestry, fire prevention, or natural resource management, the Forestry Aide position provides subprofessional assistance and usually works under the supervision of a Registered Professional Forester. Examples of work tasks include, but are not limited to: general timber harvest plan (THP) field preparation work, timber marking, cruising, flagging watercourses, pest control, forest engineering, recreation management, campground maintenance, establishing and measuring sample plots, resource surveys, seed processing, and nursery operations. Forestry Aides may also perform facilities, grounds or equipment operations, maintenance, and minor repairs.
It is anticipated that Forestry Aide appointments may last from 3 to 9 months. The Forestry Aide classification is a seasonal class where only temporary appointments are made. In accordance with the California State Constitution, no person may serve in one or more position in state service under a temporary appointment longer than 9 months in 12 consecutive months. Therefore, all time served in temporary appointments for any state agency during the 12-consecutive month period will count towards this 9-month maximum.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.
Working Conditions
The incumbent typically is required to perform psychologically stressful and/or physically demanding duties consistent with firefighting, disaster response, and emergency medical response, including working in isolated areas, walking or running on uneven, rough terrain, and remaining on duty 24 hours or longer without a break while performing these duties.
Maintains the Arduous Fitness Standard in accordance with department policy.
May be subject to working nights, weekends, or holidays to complete duties.
Statement of Qualifications
A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required to elicit information regarding each applicant’s interest and experience in relation to this position. Please review the linked document for details and a sample of format requirements: SOQ - Forestry Aide DSF
Instructions: The SOQ must include a header with Name (Last, First), CalCareers ID#, JC-# and Classification on the top left side of every page. The document must be titled “Statement of Qualifications”. Page numbers are required and must follow the example formatting: “Page X of X” in footer at the bottom of each page. The SOQ shall not exceed 3 pages in length, single-spaced, in Arial size 12 font with normal (one inch) margins. Responses must be numbered and must be in the same order as listed.
Be sure your final submission follows all listed instructions and addresses each part of every prompt. Applicants that do not follow instructions or do not provide relevant, sufficient responses will be considered no longer interested and will not move forward in the process. Resumes, cover letters/other letters, or other materials will not be accepted for consideration as responses to the SOQ requirement. Please address the following prompts:
- Describe how your background, experience, education, and/or training qualify you to perform the duties of this position based on the Typical Tasks listed on the CalHR - Forestry Aide (1060) Class Specifications.
- Please describe why you are interested in working as a Demonstration State Forest (DSF) Forestry Aide and how obtaining this position will contribute to the advancement of your long-term career goals. How does your unique interest set you apart from other applicants, and what makes you the best candidate for the position?
- The CAL FIRE Demonstration State Forest program website offers information pertaining to the function and benefits of the program. In your own words, please describe the purpose of the DSF program, how the program benefits the California public, and how this helps to accomplish the mission of the department.
Forestry Aide (1060)
California State Personnel Board Specification
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Schematic Code: BZ30
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Class Code: 1060
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Established: 06/19/1953
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Revised: 11/15/2011
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Title Changed: 11/15/2011
Definition
Under supervision, as a temporary employee, to do subprofessional work in forestry, fire prevention, fire suppression and control, natural resource management, or other related work.
Job Characteristics
This classification provides a means of temporary employment whereby individuals with an interest in forestry, fire prevention, natural resource management, or other related work may receive on-the-job instruction and perform work that will provide practical experience. This classification also provides an opportunity for students to become interested in and aware of career opportunities within State service. No full-time permanent appointments will be made in this classification.
Typical Tasks
In the fields of forestry, fire prevention, or natural resource management, provides subprofessional assistance. Examples of work tasks include but are not limited to, one or more of the following: timber marking, cruising, pest control, forest engineering, establishing and measuring sample plots, remote sensing, geographic information systems processing and analysis, resource surveys, nursery operations, seed processing and storage, State Demonstration Forest operations, forestry assistance, urban forestry programs, and/or directing work crews. May perform or assist in such assignments as fire prevention patrol and inspections, Emergency Command Center/Operations Center call taker, incident base support, and other emergency related assignments (e.g., fire suppression and control).
Minimum Qualifications
Either I
Education: Completion of at least 12 semester units or 18 quarter units from a recognized accredited college or university in forestry or fire science, natural resource management, conservation, or a closely related subject.
Or II
Three months of experience with public or private entities performing subprofessional work in forestry, fire prevention, fire suppression and control, natural resource management, or other related work.
Knowledge and Abilities
Ability to: Apply safe work practices; follow written and oral instructions; cooperate with others; utilize good judgment and take appropriate action in emergency situations; safely operate departmental vehicles and other mobile equipment; communicate effectively; utilize maps and a compass; properly utilize job-related equipment, supplies, and tools; adjust to changing work assignments, major process changes, and emergencies; apply basic principles of forestry and fire protection; identify tree and shrub species; collect and error-check data to ensure accurate results of analyses; analyze job-related data; utilize a computer and job related computer software programs; properly utilize hazardous and toxic materials and/or cleaning products under the guidelines of the Material Safety Data Sheets and supervisors; perform maintenance procedures; apply basic principles of fire suppression and control; apply laws, rules, and regulations applicable to scope of duties and responsibilities (e.g., Public Resources Code, Health and Safety Code, Penal Code, California Administrative Code) to ensure compliance for public safety and environmental protection; and operate radio equipment.
Special Personal Characteristics
Willingness to live and work in remote parts of the State, to work on weekends and holidays, to work in inclement weather, to work well in a crew or team setting or independent of others with minimal supervision, and to remain on duty 24 hours a day; willingness and ability to maintain sufficient physical condition in order to perform tasks in support of the Department's mission including regular physically strenuous field work; willingness as a learner to do routine and detailed work; willingness and ability to accept increasing responsibility; adaptability, tact, good people skills, willingness to conform to departmental grooming standards, and an aptitude and liking for forestry work. For areas where structural firefighting is an integral part of the duties, normal hearing (uncorrected); normal use of both hands and feet; and good physical condition.
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