FORESTRY TECHNICIAN
State of California
Job Posting: Forestry Technician-Fuels Reduction
Department of Forestry & Fire Protection
FORESTRY TECHNICIAN
$4,148.00 - $5,879.00 per Month
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
Final Filing Date: 3/20/2026
Job Description and Duties
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.
Limited Term positions are being filled up to 24 months.
Minimum Requirements
You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.Additional Documents
Position Details
Department Information
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 12,000 permanent and seasonal employees. The mission of the Department is to serve and safeguard the people and protect the property and resources of California.
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. CAL FIRE offers well-paying careers and opportunities for advancement. We hope that you will consider a rewarding and challenging career with CAL FIRE!
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.
Application Instructions
Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.
Final Filing Date: 3/20/2026Who May Apply
Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).
How To Apply
Address for Mailing Application Packages
You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
Required Application Package Documents
The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:
- Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
- Resume is required and must be included.
- Other -
Authorization to Release Information Form (PO-299) : This form may be found at https://www.fire.ca.gov/-/media/D817B8E27D8049C3BC35297686467FB9
- Other -
Current Forestry Technician Work Location Form. This form may be found at: work-location-form_ft-2025.pdf
- Other -
Copy of the front and back of a valid driver's license of the appropriate class by the Department of Motor Vehicles.
- Other -
Copy of SFT Fire Fighter Certificate I (If Applicable)
Benefits
Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.
Salary Range B - This range shall only apply to incumbents in positions with direct responsibility for work supervision, on-the-job training, and work performance evaluation of at least 2 inmates, wards, or resident workers.
Contact Information
The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.
Linda Hang
(559) 243-4126
Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.
EEO Contact:Reasonable Accommodation Coordinator
(916) 767-8359
ReasonableAccommodations@fire.ca.gov
Special Filing Instructions
*You only need to submit ONE application package to be considered for Permanent, Limited Term, and Temporary positions.
DO NOT INCLUDE MULTIPLE CLASSIFICATIONS ON ONE APPLICATION PACKAGE.
All interested applicants must complete and submit the following application package.
(1) State Application (Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) (Rev. 12/2021)
(2) Resume
(3) Authorization to Release Information Form (PO-299). This form may be found at
https://www.fire.ca.gov/-/media/D817B8E27D8049C3BC35297686467FB9
(4) Current Forestry Technician Work Location Form. This form may be found at: work-location-form_ft-2025.pdf
(5) Front and back of your valid driver’s license of the appropriate class
(6) Copy of SFT Fire Fighter I Certificate (If Applicable)
You may submit your application package in one of three ways:
1) Apply online through your CalCareers account (under either the Permanent Job Control or Limited Term Job Control).
or
2) Drop off application package at the address below
or
3) Mail application package to the following address:
CAL FIRE
Attn: Forestry Technician Hiring
1234 E. Shaw Ave
Fresno, CA 93710
*BU8 In-Class reassignments shall follow the BU8 Section 9.2 to be considered. BU8 In-Class reassignments need not submit an application in accordance with this advertisement.
To obtain an Examination / Employment Application Form STD 678, go to the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) website:
http://jobs.ca.gov/pdf/std678.pdf
Application package (items identified above or Items #1 - #6) must be submitted or postmarked no later than the final filing date to be considered.
Additional Information
As stated on the application, your original signature certifies that the information entered on your application is true and complete to the best of your knowledge under penalty of perjury. For this reason, application packages will be accepted only by mail, dropped off in person, and electronically through your CalCareers account, and not by FAX or email.
Failure to complete and sign any portion of the required application package may result in disqualification from the hiring process.
If you submit an electronic application package and need to amend any documents submitted, please only submit the corrected document(s) by mail and not the entire application package by the final filing date.
Hires may be made in the following counties: Calaveras, Fresno, Kern, Kings, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Stanislaus, Tuolumne, Ventura.
Candidates made be selected by resume review.
The Bargaining Unit 8 (BU8) Memorandum of Understanding regarding Voluntary In-Class Reassignment Policy (Inter-Unit) (Section 9.2) will be followed. Reassignments may require a two-year commitment.
Applicants must pass medical clearances under the Respiratory Protection Program.
Please note: Declining a job offer will not affect a candidates list status.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.
It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.