Forester (Forester)

  State of Wisconsin

  Wisconsin - Statewide, Wisconsin, United States

All Foresters direct and provide forest management assistance on private lands, state lands and county forests, providing advice and assistance to landowners, property managers and other partners.

Most Foresters are also responsible for fire management, which includes fire preparedness, fire suppression, and fire prevention on federal, state, county and private lands within the assigned area. The position implements and develops the fire suppression, prevention, and forestry law enforcement in the assigned fire response unit and ensures the completion of all fire management activities. The position includes fire-line responsibilities such as initial attack; suppression; and serves as the Incident Commander, Operations Section Chief, or as a Division Group Supervisor/Task Force/Strike Team Leader during fire suppression operations. The position also provides expert training to Fire Department personnel and other partners. The position is responsible for planning and conducting prescribed burning activities to achieve habitat and property management objectives.

Most Foresters are key to public safety and security and require the incumbent to meet and maintain the physical fitness test standards required for all DNR protective positions. The principal duties of most positions require active fire suppression duties which require frequent exposure to a high degree of danger or peril and also require a high degree of physical conditioning. Most positions are available for fire suppression, pre-suppression and prevention duties year-round.

All DNR Field Foresters are responsible for assisting in any Division of Forestry’s integrated programs when needed.

Special Notes:

• Successful candidates for all positions must pass a criminal background check prior to hire.
• Candidates for most positions must also meet medical and physical fitness standards. Complete details on requirements and testing procedures will be provided to candidates who are invited to interview.
• Candidates for most positions must be able to obtain and maintain a valid WI driver’s license and meet the requirements to operate a state vehicle.
• Most Foresters have fireline responsibilities, which require the incumbent to respond within 30 minutes to the work station
• Candidates for most positions must be able to obtain and maintain Forest Ranger credentials via in-house training. Credentialed staff will then be expected to enforce basic forestry laws through public contacts and the issuance of citations.
• Some positions require the incumbent to obtain and maintain a Commercial Driver’s License within six (6) months of hire.
• Various qualifications/certifications may be required within 18 months to five years after hire.

Qualifications:

Applicants must possess the following required qualifications to be at least minimally qualified for this position: 
• Bachelor’s degree in Forestry from a four-year program accredited by the Society of
American Foresters, or equivalent as determined by the State Forester. For additional
information, please click "Preview Assessment" (in top section above) and review the
first three questions.
• Experience* performing field forestry practices
• Experience* performing forest land management activities
• Training or experience* related to fire management, prescribed fire or fire suppression,
including structural or wildland fire

* NOTE: Experience may be gained through an academic training course or camp;
internship; temporary summer employment; volunteer opportunity; or full-time/on-going
employment.

Best-qualified candidates will also possess the following preferred qualifications:
• Related work experience, as typically gained through full-time/on-going employment
• Forest management field experience in the Great Lakes region 
• Wildland fire qualification based on National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) standards

It’s critically important that your application materials clearly describe your experience related to the stated criteria so that the job experts who will evaluate your application materials are able to make an accurate judgment regarding your qualifications. Applicants who do not possess at least the minimum qualifications will be ineligible to continue in the selection process.

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