Forestry Laborer (Forestry, Logging & Mill Operations)

Laborer/Student Worker (Forestry Laborer)

There is currently one, Seasonal, full-time position open with the Oregon Department of Forestry located in The Dalles. This position generally works from March 1st through December 31st. This recruitment will be used to establish a list of qualified candidates for this position and may be used to fill future vacancies. Interviews are projected to be completed by the end of May; however, application reviews and interviews may begin at any time.  For best consideration, apply as soon as possible.  For specific questions regarding this recruitment please contact Kiel Nairns, Assistant Unit Forester, (541) 296-4626.

The Oregon Department of Forestry's (ODF) Mission is – To serve the people of Oregon through the protection, management, and promotion of a healthy forest environment, which will enhance Oregon's livability and economy for today and tomorrow. ODF is a multi-programmed, multi-funded public agency chartered and structured to administer the forest laws and policies of the State of Oregon, within the framework of sustainable forests, for the benefit of all Oregonians.

This position performs a wide variety of manual tasks in the areas of fuel reduction and timber stand improvements through thinning, piling and burning of fuels. The incumbent also performs as a primary crew member of a seasonal initial attack fire crew.  This position completes routine building and ground maintenance.

The successful applicant will be required to provide their own boots (8" leather with vibram soles).

The Oregon Department of Forestry: Serving Oregonians by protecting Oregon's forests.

Major duties include but are not limited to:

Timber Stand Improvement

Under the direction of a Crew Leader this position works as a part of a crew in selecting, cutting, bucking, limbing, pruning, stacking and burning in an effort to improve forest stand health and vigor, while reducing the fuel loading within the thinning units.  Crew member will be required to use a chain saw, pruning saws, and various hand tools.  In addition this person may be expected to drive agency vehicles.

Slash Burning

Under the direction of a Crew Leader this position will eliminate all slash on the units through the use of burning either piles or broadcast burning.  The position will be required to utilize drip torches and be able to mix and apply proper slash fuel and fire to the units to reduce the amount of forest fuels.

Maintenance

May perform landscape activities such as mowing, weeding, pruning, spreading bark or rock using hand tools and power equipment. Perform building maintenance activities such as; assisting with minor repairs, roofing, painting, concrete work, and custodial duties.  Performs vehicle maintenance activities such as daily safety inspections, fluid checks, wash and wax.  Performs equipment maintenance by cleaning saws, cleaning, inspecting, and sharpening hand tools such as Pulaski, shovel, and hazel hoes.  Responsible for completing individual projects as assigned.

Suppression

Under the direction of a Crew Leader, performs wildland fighting activities by serving as member on hand crew.  Constructs fire line using hand tools by scraping, digging and chopping or burning out to remove flammable materials. Performs mop up duties by scraping, digging, chopping and applying water to remove heat. Assist in the operation and monitoring of vehicle mounted pumps.    May collect weather observations as assigned. 

Because the Department's highest priority work is a forest fire emergency, this position will be utilized during those emergencies to provide assistance in a variety of ways.  That assistance may be directly aiding the emergency effort in the field or at the Salem headquarters.  It also may be in providing backup to fill in for another position that is being used in direct aid to the emergency, or it may be in performing an essential function in some capacity either within this Program or elsewhere in Salem or in the field.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Serves as a relief driver occasionally.  As a relief driver will be required to drive vehicles obeying all traffic laws and drives on steep narrow forest roads. Required to work various shifts including holidays, nights, weekends, and long hours on short notice.  Assignments to emergency incidents may require employee to be away from duty station for up to 21 days.  Expected to work under adverse conditions such as noise, smoke, heat, rough terrain, dust, inclement weather and exposure to poison oak, bees and poisonous snakes/insects.  Requires occasional exposure to heavy equipment operations, aircraft, hazards of burning and/or falling material, and chemical and biological pesticides.

Minimum Qualifications:
 

• Must be 18 years of age at time of hire.

• At least one year of experience working with chain saws.
• Works collaboratively as a member of a team.
• Experience working in fuels abatement or treatment projects.
• Effective conflict resolutions skills.
• Understands and implements safe work practices.
• Experience with the use of hand tools and operation of motorized equipment.
• Maintains situational awareness at all times.
• Maintains an adequate level of fitness to perform assigned duties.
• Ability to work independently under general supervision.

• Conviction of a major traffic offense within the previous 24 months. Which includes reckless driving, driving under the influence, failing to perform the duties of a driver, criminal driving while suspended or revoked, fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, felony hit and run, etc.;
• Felony revocation of driving privileges or felony or misdemeanor license suspension within the previous 24 months;
• More than 3 moving traffic violations in the previous 12 months;
• A careless driving conviction in the previous 12 months;
• A Class A moving traffic violation in the previous 12 months.

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

To improve communication with all applicants the State of Oregon requires an e-mail address be provided on all applications.  If you do not currently have an e-mail address and do not know where to go to get one, please refer to our Applicant Frequently Asked Questions web page to view several links to internet providers where you can get a free e-mail account. The State of Oregon does not endorse any particular provider.

To ensure clear communication, please unfilter emails from neogov.com and governmentjobs.com.

Please note: The employee in this position will be represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and will be subject to all terms and conditions of the collective bargaining agreement.  Pay and benefits on all job announcements may change without further notice.

If you require an alternate format in order to complete the employment process, you may call ODF Human Resources at 503-945-7200.

Only complete applications will be considered. Your answers to the supplemental questions must be reflected in the work experience section of your application. Be sure to answer all supplemental questions and attach all required documents. Responses to the supplemental questions will determine if you meet the minimum qualifications, any special qualifications and/or desired attributes for the position. Do not submit a resume in place of completing the Supplemental Questionnaire or the Work Experience section of the application. 

Qualified applicants whose responses most closely match the requirements for this position will be invited to interview. Transcripts must be submitted to receive credit for education coursework at the time of application.

Veterans - If you are an eligible veteran and you meet the minimum qualifications, veterans' preference points will be added to your score. To receive veterans' preference points you MUST attach to your electronic application the following required documentation:

• A copy of the DD214/215 for the five (5) point preference;
• OR A copy of the DD214/215; AND a veteran's disability preference letter from the United States Department of Veterans' Affairs for the ten (10) point preference.