Forestry Improvement Technician

~ Trust Land Management Division of the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) manages approximately 5.2 million surface and 6.2 subsurface acres of state trust land for the benefit of the common schools and other endowed institutions. ~

The Division is divided into four programs: minerals, real estate, agriculture and grazing, and forest management. The Forest Management Bureau (FMB) provides programmatic oversight and support for the management of approximately 780,000 acres of forested state trust land.

DNRC believes employees are their most important asset. DNRC empowers employees to exercise professional judgment in carrying out their duties. Employees are provided with the training and tools necessary to achieve the mission. Both team effort and individual employee expertise are supported and sustained.

Our mission is to help ensure that Montana’s land and water resources provide benefits for present and future generations. For additional information, please visit our website.

Position Overview

Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation is seeking a Forestry Improvement Technician.

Approximate dates and hours of employment for temporary seasonal positions will depend on each position and will vary between June and September 2019. Positions will be terminated at the end of the normal work season or as notified by the Department.

Job Order Number: JC135660005

Responsibilities

• This position serves as a Forest Technician in the Southwestern Land Office of the Trust Lands Division in the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation.
• The incumbent participates in a variety of forest management and forest improvement projects, and may be assigned to any of the four SWLO Unit offices.
• Typical projects and activities include timber cruising and other timber sale preparation, data collection, traversing and surveying proposed roadways, marking locations for various purposes, thinning set-up, prescribed burns, contract administration and various other projects as needed.
• The position reports to the Area Silviculturist and does not directly supervise other agency personnel.

Qualifications

• Applicant must be at least 18 years old, and in good physical condition.
• Typically requires at least two years of experience in forestry related work (or forestry course work).
• Applicants must be familiar with plant and tree identification, map & compass orienteering, land survey systems, data collection methods, and air photo interpretation.
• Requires a Montana Operators Driver’s License.

Education:

• Graduation from high school or equivalent.

Additional Information

Benefits: 

Benefits for eligible state employees include a credit union, a deferred compensation program, public employee’s retirement program, 15 working days annual leave per year, 12 days sick leave per year, paid holidays, and up to 15 days military leave with full pay.

Eligibility to Work:

In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act, the person selected must produce within three days of hire documents that show authorization to work in the United States. Examples of such documentation include a birth certificate or Social Security card along with a driver’s license or other picture I.D., or a U.S. passport, or a “green card”.

To Apply

Please click "Apply on Company Website" below. 

Application and Selection Process:

The Department of Natural Resources may include the following factors in determining whether an applicant meets the qualifications for the position: application form, typing test results, education, structured interview, job-related reference checks, job-related work experience, job-related current and past performance and application supplements.

Applicants claiming employment preference are required to provide proper documentation, i.e. Vet Preference (DD214), Disabled Vet document from U.S. Veterans Administration certifying service connected disability or purple heart medal, disabled (SRS Certification), when submitting application.

Special Information:

These seasonal positions will be open until filled with review of applications starting March 1st, 2019, with applications reviewed every two weeks until June 1st, 2019. Early application is strongly encouraged. The seasonal positions will remain open and additional screening will occur as needed until positions are filled.

Applicants for these positions must be at least 18 years of age at the time of hire and have a valid drivers’ license and less than 12 conviction points over the most recent 36 months. All persons performing firefighting duties are required to pass a physical fitness test within three weeks of employment. DNRC has adopted the pack test as the required physical fitness test. Contact the individual land office for information regarding pack test requirements.

Additional application materials required: resume, online application, and answers to the following questions must be attached to your online applicaton for your submission to be considered complete:

• Describe your training and work experience in forest resource management.
• Describe your skills and abilities in use of forestry related tools and instruments, and how you’ve used these during past employment or field class work.
• Describe your forestry course work and how it relates to this job.