Forestry Technician/Assistant Series

California State Personnel Board Specification

Series established August 31, 1982

Scope

This series specification describes three levels of Forestry Technicians/ Assistants used in the Department of Forestry.

Definition of Series

The Forestry Technician/Assistant series describes positions throughout the State planned for training and developing individuals to perform in a variety of professional/technical assignments in resource management in State forests, nurseries, ranger units/districts, and in Regional and Sacramento headquarters assignments. The class series provides incumbents avenues for advancement into the Forester series. Advancement through the series to Forester I can be accomplished in approximately seven years, although actual time frames will vary among individuals based on their varying levels of education, work experience, and motivation. Since the number of positions are limited, change of location may be necessary to advance through the class series. Individuals desiring to advance to the Forester series and eventually obtain Registered Professional Forester (RPF) licenses required for appointment to Forester II positions, will need to pursue positions which provide varied and broad experience, as well as supplemental forestry course work if they do not have a forestry degree. The State Board of Forestry will accept only a minimal portion of actual fire suppression experience toward the experience requirement for the RPF license.

Typical assignments include forest practice; service forestry; State land surveys; chaparral management; nursery operations; insect control; range improvement; and ranger unit/district prefire planning, inspection, and program administration. Incumbents are considered part of the Department's emergency response team and will perform fire suppression, prevention, and/or inspection duties during fire season and, infrequently, on other occasions. Individuals entering the series at any level must complete a basic Forest Fire Fighter Training Course prior to working in emergency assignments.

Entry into this series can occur at any of the three Forestry Technician/ Assistant levels.

Factors Affecting Position Allocation

Level, variety, and complexity of assigned work; latitude for independent action and judgment; nature and sensitivity of public and interagency contact; supervision received; reporting relationships; and consequences of error.

Definition of Levels

Forestry Technician

This is the normal entry training level to the series. Under close supervision, incumbents learn to perform routine technical resource management assignments of average difficulty. Incumbents will perform basic fire control assignments during fire season and occasionally at other times. Incumbents entering State service at this level will receive in a timely manner during the probationary period, and prior to working in emergency assignments training in the Department's "Basic Fire Fighter" training as is required for Fire Fighter II. One of the requirements for permanent status in this class is successful completion of the training course. Incumbents may receive additional training, as required, to perform their assigned functions, in such�areas as introduction to surveying, map reading, cruising, dendrology, and basic program areas.

Forestry Assistant I

This is the intermediate training level in the series. Under general supervision, incumbents perform increasingly more difficult and varied technical resource management assignments, including administrative functions. As part of the Department's emergency response team, during fire season incumbents will perform fire control or other emergency duties for which they have been trained at a level of responsibility comparable to the classification of Fire Apparatus Engineer and may occasionally do so at other times.

Persons appointed to positions in this class are given the California Department of Forestry "Basic Fire Control" course in a timely manner during the probationary period, and prior to working in emergency assignments. One of the requirements for permanent status for the class is successful completion of this training course. In addition, incumbents entering State service at this level will receive all training specific to the Forestry Technician level.

Forestry Assistant II

This is the first working level in the series. Incumbents assist Foresters and State Forest Rangers in performing the most complex technical assignments in resource management and assume lead responsibility over lower level technicians. They may also perform as specialists responsible for a specific segment of a program area. As part of the Department's emergency response team, during fire season incumbents will perform fire control or other emergency duties for which they have been trained at a level of responsibility comparable to the classification of Fire Captain and may occasionally perform such assignments at other times. Rotation in assignments at this level is planned experience for employee development.

Incumbents at this level will be encouraged to pursue formal academic course work and will be enrolled in "Continuing Education for Foresters" as necessary to enhance job performance and career advancement. In addition, persons entering State service at this level will, as necessary, receive in a timely manner and prior to working in emergency assignments, all training specific to the Forestry Technician and Forestry Assistant I levels. One of the requirements for permanent status in this class is successful completion of the required training.

Minimum Qualifications

Forestry Technician

Either I

Education: Equivalent to 15 semester units of college in forestry, natural resource management, conservation, or a closely related subject.

Or II

Experience: Six months of experience in practical resource management, conservation, or field work in a State of California resources agency department or in a forest management/timber harvesting operation. (Qualifying experience includes: reforestation, timber harvest operations, urban forestry, or other related forestry/nursery work; or environmental resource protection work including Resource Protection Trainee/Fire Prevention Assistant, or related fire control experience in the Resources Agency or as a corps member in a California Conservation Corps/California Department of Forestry fire center.) or

One year of urban resource community organizing work such as tree planting, community gardening, park development, and civil landscape beautification programs. and

Education: Equivalent to completion of the 12th grade.

Forestry Assistant I

Either I

Two years of experience in California state service performing the duties of a Forestry Technician. (Candidates who are within six months of meeting experience requirements may take the examination but cannot be appointed until they have obtained the required experience.)

Or II

Three years of experience in practical resource management or conservation work. (Qualifying experience includes: reforestation, timber harvest operation, urban forestry, or other related forestry work; environmental protection work; fire control experience in the California Department of Forestry, of which a minimum of one year must have been performing duties at a�level of responsibility equivalent to the class of Fire Fighter II.)

Or III

Education: Equivalent to graduation from technical school in forestry or an AA or AS degree in forestry, natural resources, conservation, or a closely related subject. (Applicants who are within six months of graduation will be admitted to the examination but they must produce evidence of graduation or its equivalent before they can be considered eligible for appointment.)

Forestry Assistant II

Either I

Three years of experience in California state service performing the duties of a Forestry Assistant I. (Candidates who are within six months of meeting experience requirements may take the examination but cannot be appointed until they have obtained the required experience.)

Or II

Five years of progressively responsible resource management experience. (Qualifying experience includes: reforestation, timber harvest operations, urban forestry, or other related forestry work; environmental protection work; fire control experience in the California Department of Forestry, of which a minimum of two years must have been at a level of responsibility equivalent to the class of Fire Apparatus Engineer.)

Or III

Education: Equivalent to graduation from college with a degree in forestry, natural resource management, conservation, or a closely related subject. (Registration as a senior will admit applicants to the examination, but they must produce evidence of graduation or its equivalent before they can be considered eligible for appointment.)

Knowledge and Abilities

Forestry Technician

Knowledge of: Good resource management principles and practices and basic conservation techniques.

Ability to: Receive and understand instructions and to carry out assignments; interpret laws, rules, and regulations and apply them effectively; collect and evaluate data and prepare technical reports; work effectively, independently, or in a group setting; utilize good judgment and take appropriate action in emergency situations; understand and employ good safety practices; learn to operate a variety of forestry fire suppression tools and equipment.

Forestry Assistant I

Knowledge of: All of the above, and the various Department of Forestry program functions and their elements including stocking survey work; resource management grant evaluation techniques; basic fire control methods and equipment; map reading, cruising methods, silvaculture, dendrology.

Ability to: All of the above, and accept increasing responsibility in the level of difficulty of tasks performed; learn how to operate State fire suppression vehicles and equipment and perform as an experienced member of a fire suppression crew.

Forestry Assistant II

Knowledge of: All of the above, and elementary forest practices and fire prevention and suppression methods; land management; forest disease and pest evaluation; ground check procedures; burn and land management plan preparation; forestry inventory procedures; timber sales preparation; and fire behavior.

Ability to: All of the above, and compile and maintain detailed reports, perform cost analyses; accept lead responsibility for assigned projects; prioritize the work of lesser-experienced employees; supervise a fire crew in a fire station; during emergency operations, effectively and safely operate State fire suppression engines; work cooperatively with other governmental and private entities.

Special Personal Characteristics

All Levels:

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.

Special Physical Requirements

All Levels:

Hearing, physical strength, dexterity and agility necessary to perform the duties of the position; and aptitude and liking for forestry work.

Additional Desirable Qualification

All Levels:

Possession of a valid California driver license of the appropriate class issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Class History