FORESTRY AIDE 2 - 06302026-78891

About the role

This position is with the Cumberland District and is located in Putnam County. The Cumberland District is responsible for managing state forests and private lands of average difficulty.

Responsibilities

• Serves in a lead role directing other wildland firefighters and external resources regarding fire suppression activities or serves as a lead worker on other all-hazard situations by ensuring safety, coordinating job assignments, and maintaining constant communication.
• Affirms environmental conditions of active fires (e.g., weather, topography, fuel type), available resources, and uses understanding of fire behavior to determine course of action to control fires.
• Constructs a fire line using hand tools (e.g., fire rake, Pulaski, and leaf blower) for extended periods of time.
• Attends mandatory technical training as required by the Division of Forestry.
• Attends annual TN/KY Wildland Fire Academy to be certified in specialty areas.
• Gathers and reports information about landowner, cause of fire, location, values/structures at risk and other information for fire report and to relay information to Fire Resource Coordinator for determination of resources needed.
• Maintains the facilities and maintenance of grounds.
• Maintains assigned equipment and vehicles assigned for all incident readiness.
• Edits local cooperators, the general public, and various agencies on general tactics, fire behavior, use of tools/implements, and functions of the Tennessee Division of Forestry.
• Provides training for firefighters and permit writers through various means.
• May assist with educational and outreach opportunities.
• Maintains seedling storage facilities to ensure viable seedlings.
• Reviews and assists in timber harvest sites on private or public forest land for implementation of forestry Best Management Practices and/or contract compliance.
• Collects forest management data and conducting seedling survival checks.
• Assists with vendor services such as: prescribed fire, timber marking, tree planting, and fire line construction.
• Determines which orders can be filled based on seedlings delivered as compared to seedlings ordered.
• Confirms Seedling Shipping Manifest corresponds with seedlings delivered.
• Inspects and marks boundaries of State Forests to gather information (e.g., timber trespass, illegal recreational activities, etc.).
• Identifies dead and dying trees to diagnose the cause (e.g., insects, disease, natural causes) through visual inspection and recommends course of action.
• Assists in monitoring, detection, and control of forests pests and invasive species.

Qualifications

• Education equivalent to graduation from a standard high school and experience equivalent to one year of full-time work in one of the following areas: (1) fire suppression or fire prevention, (2) the conservation of trees, soil, water, or wildlife, (3) the farming or harvesting of forest products or orchards, (4) land surveying or mapping, (5) the operation of sawmills or tractors or bulldozers, or (6) maintenance and repair of heavy equipment or carpentry.
• Additional college coursework in fire science, emergency management, homeland security, and natural resources from an accredited college or university may substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis to a maximum of one year.
• Experience in fire suppression or fire prevention; the conservation of trees, soil, water, or wildlife; the farming or harvesting of forest products or orchards; land surveying or mapping; the operation of sawmills or tractors or bulldozers; or maintenance and repair of heavy equipment or carpentry may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis to a maximum of four years.
• Possess and maintain a valid vehicle operator's license during employment;
• Be at least eighteen (18) years of age on the date of application;
• Take and pass the job-related work capacity test for wildland firefighters (WCT) for positions that perform fire line activity as one of their primary duties. This test consists of walking 2 miles with a 25-pound backpack in 30 minutes or less;
• Obtain applicable Commercial Driver's License (CDL) within twelve (12) months of hire;
• Maintain a level of physical fitness and general health (both physically and mentally) which shall permit them to effectively perform their duties.

Necessary Special Qualifications

• Possess and maintain a valid vehicle operator's license during employment;
• Be at least eighteen (18) years of age on the date of application;
• Take and pass the job-related work capacity test for wildland firefighters (WCT) for positions that perform fire line activity as one of their primary duties. This test consists of walking 2 miles with a 25-pound backpack in 30 minutes or less;
• Obtain applicable Commercial Driver's License (CDL) within twelve (12) months of hire;
• Maintain a level of physical fitness and general health (both physically and mentally) which shall permit them to effectively perform their duties.

Examination Method

Education and Experience, 100%, for Preferred Service positions.

Overview

Under general supervision, performs fire prevention, fire suppression, and conservation work on state forests and private lands of average difficulty; and performs related work as required.

Salary (Monthly)

$3,229.00

Salary (Annually)

$38,748.00