Initial Posting Date:

01/06/2026

Application Deadline:

04/30/2026

Agency:

Forestry Department

Salary Range:

$3,833.00 - $5,296.00

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Forest Management Technician - The Dalles

Job Description:

Real Jobs. Real Impact. Are you up to the Challenge?

Our Mission – To protect and promote resilient forests that benefit all Oregonians.

Are you interested in a wildfire career with the Oregon Department of Forestry? Then you've come to the right place. Challenge yourself to new limits. Join the people who serve to protect millions of acres of our forests, communities and natural resources.

Click here: ODF Seasonal Wildland Fire Video

You’ll be part of the ODF team that serves our fellow Oregonians relying on regulation and protection of both public and private forest land in our great state of Oregon!​ Click here.

Great Benefits Package - watch this video

Forest Management Technician (FMT)

• Eighteen months of experience working in the field of natural resources; OR

• Associate Degree in Forestry, Forest Engineering, Forest Recreation, Fire Protection or a related natural resource field of study; OR

• An equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Valid driver’s license with acceptable driving record.

General Duties

You perform a wide variety of tasks in the areas of timber sale preparation, fuels reduction, and timber stand improvements through thinning, piling, and burning of fuels. You will be supervised by The Dalles Unit Forest Resources Manager and will function as a team member of a Good Neighbor Authority (GNA) crew. This crew will work to achieve the goals and objectives given to them by The Dalles Unit Forest Resources Manager. The primary function of this position is to accomplish additive work on USFS National Forest projects. The GNA Crew will assist the National Forests in accomplishing their management goals including, but not limited to, timber sale planning, pre-commercial thinning, piling, prescribed burning, both piles and broadcast, and brushing roads. This crew will also implement all-lands, cross-boundary work to achieve forest restoration on a landscape scale. In addition, this position will perform fire suppression duties as needed. Some positions may include one or more of the following:

Fuels Reduction:

Works as a part of the crew. Performs fuel reduction tasks such as cutting and clearing brush, limbing trees, modification of vegetation, chipping, hand piling of slash, slash burning, pre-commercial thinning, fuel break construction, roadside brushing, water source maintenance and other tasks needed to develop defensible space and fire breaks. Will be required to utilize and maintain a chain saw, pruning saws, chipper and various hand tools. May contact homeowners and landowners to schedule and identify work to be completed. Utilize maps and agreement documents for identification and project description for each site project. Identify various vegetation and tree species in order to prune, trim or clear for the project site.

Vehicle Operation:

Operates department vehicles including cars, trucks, chippers and fire engines. Ensures all equipment is ready to support fuel reduction and fire suppression activities by completing safety inspection, submitting requests for maintenance, and maintains general up-keep.

Maintenance:

May perform landscape activities such as mowing, weeding, pruning, spreading bark or rock using hand tools and power equipment. Perform building maintenance activities such as assisting with minor repairs and custodial duties. Performs vehicle maintenance activities such as daily safety inspections, fluid checks, wash and wax. Performs maintenance on equipment to include cleaning, inspecting, sharpening and basic servicing fuels reduction equipment.

Community:

Maintains positive relationships with landowners, cooperators, and the public. Participates in activities and landowner cooperative projects as assigned. Other duties as assigned.

Coop Activities (Silviculture):

Conducts stocking surveys where recently planted units are inventoried for mortality, browse, competing vegetation and species make-up are tallied. This involves use of data recorders, maps, and tape measures. Planting surveys where plots are taken during and after planting activities to verify prescriptions are being met, and contracted planters are providing a quality product that is within specification and results in a survivable stand. Oversees and helps with slash burning. This involves communicating with smoke management personnel and forecasts. Performs property line surveys to verify ownership via compass and maps, referencing blazing on trees and surveyed corner posts to flag and mark end and start of property lines.

Fire Suppression:

Performs wildland fighting activities by serving as member on hand crew. Constructs fire line using hand tools by scraping, digging, and chopping or burning out to remove flammable materials. Performs mop up duties by scraping, digging, chopping, and applying water to remove heat. Assist in the operation and monitoring of vehicle mounted pumps. May collect weather observations as assigned. Performs suppression activities appropriate to the qualification of the individual.

Skills we are looking for:

If you have these skills and attributes, let us know in your application materials! You do not need to have all these qualities to be eligible for this position. We may also use transferable skills, experience, and education to help us decide who will move forward for an interview. Please be specific.

• Preference given for firefighter (FFT2) qualifications and faller (FAL3) or above.

• Experience with reading and interpreting aerial photos and USFS/ODF fire maps.

• Knowledge and experience with timber cruising and basic forestry related skills (use of clinometer and GPS).

• Experience using chainsaws to limb and fall standing trees.

• Successful completion of S-212.

• Experience driving on improved and unimproved forest roads.

• Demonstrated ability to foster a culture of service, workforce diversity, equity and inclusion, team environment, and strong internal communication and alignment.

• Proven experience as an excellent communicator who is honest, fair and inclusive among employees, partners and stakeholders.

Note: The person in this position is expected to have or be able to acquire FFT2 or higher ICS fire qualification(s) upon hire, successfully complete ICS S212 and be able to perform firefighting duties as needed. Successful applicants must take and pass the physical fitness Work Capacity Test at the arduous level if selected for employment. Work Capacity Test.

Working Conditions:

This position supports wildfire operations in a variety of environments and may involve extended or irregular hours during peak activity. Work can include periods of physical exertion in heat, smoke, and rugged terrain. Travel is required, and employees may be assigned to 14-day deployments, during which they must be prepared and self-sufficient. Some assignments occur in remote or rural areas where cell service, facilities and other resources may be limited.

How to Apply:

• Please ensure the work history in your applicant profile is up to date.

• Current State of Oregon employees – You must apply through your employee Workday account.

Additional Details:

• This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies. This position is represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).

• If you have questions about this position, please contact Hiring Manager: Phil Raffaelly, phillip.raffaelly@odf.oregon.gov.

• Oregon Department of Forestry does not offer visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, all applicants will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security's Form I-9, confirming authorization to work in the United States.

• Veterans - Eligible veterans and Oregon National Guard servicemembers (current and former) who meet the qualifications of the position will be awarded candidate preference. After you have applied you will be sent a task in your Workday account to provide your veteran documentation at that time. For further information, please see the following website: Veterans Resources.

• If you have questions about the job announcement, or need an alternate format to apply, please contact: corie.t.shelley@odf.oregon.gov.

ODF is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or any other class protected by state or federal laws in admission or access to our programs, services, activities, hiring, and employment practices.