Forestry Technician-Fuels Reduction

About the Department

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) is California's fire department and resource management agency, 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.

Job Description

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.

Responsibilities

• Conduct safe and efficient operation of power equipment and hand tools implementing fuels reduction and prescribed fire projects while wearing required personal protective equipment
• Utilize tools including 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 to safely and efficiently perform various fuel modification tasks
• Perform 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, and scrape ground vegetative material in the implementation of projects
• Operate utility and support vehicles in non-emergency responses
• Assist in preventative maintenance program on all vehicles, 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 vehicle fluids, checking and maintaining 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 project 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

Pay

• Range A: $4,148.00 - $5,379.00
• Range B: $4,532.00 - $5,879.00
• New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable

Special Requirements

• The position requires Medical Clearance prior to being hired
• TAU applicants are encouraged to apply. 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. All time served in temporary appointments 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 Information

• Final Filing Date: 9/7/2026
• Who May Apply: Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply. Temporary Appointments may be considered if conditions warrant. Temporary Appointments may be made to anyone regardless of eligibility. Temporary Appointments may not exceed 9 months and will require eligibility to be obtained through an examination process in order to transition to a permanent appointment
• 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

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included.

Mailing Address: Department of Forestry & Fire Protection, CAL FIRE Southern Region Hiring, Attn: 542-000-1085-XXX, 1234 East Shaw Avenue, Fresno, CA 93710

Drop-Off Address: CAL FIRE Southern Region Hiring, 542-000-1085-XXX, 1234 East Shaw Avenue, Fresno, CA 93710, 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Required 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-2022.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)

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.