FOREST RANGER - 42002304 1

State of Florida • Tallahassee, FL

2d • $46,991 - $55,005 • Onsite

About The Position

The Forest Ranger works for the Florida Forest Service in forest fire prevention, detection, suppression, and presuppression; provides technical forestry services and information to landowners and wood-using industry representatives; assists with state lands management; and presents forestry educational programs. The position operates and maintains equipment used for wildfire suppression and state lands management, performs facility maintenance and construction, and responds to all-risk emergency incidents as required. The incumbent must live within 30 miles of the Tallahassee headquarters throughout employment. The position is on call, with days off on a rotation basis, and occasional to moderate travel is required.

The incumbent must obtain a Class A Commercial Driver License within six months of appointment. The agency covers most of the cost of required CDL training and the initial test when completed at an agency-authorized training center. The position requires a Firefighter Certificate of Compliance, including satisfactory completion of an approved firefighter training program. Pre-employment requirements include a drug test, comprehensive medical examination, and physical fitness test. Employees are also subject to applicable drug and alcohol testing, annual medical examinations, and annual physical fitness tests.

Requirements

• High school graduation or equivalent and at least 18 years of age.
• Must meet the statutory criminal-history and discharge requirements: no disqualifying misdemeanor relating to certification, perjury, or false statements; no qualifying felony or crime punishable by at least one year of imprisonment; and no dishonorable discharge from the U.S. Armed Forces.
• Submit a fingerprint card and current processing fee and pass the required background screening.
• Have good moral character as determined by investigation.
• Be in good physical condition as determined by a medical examination.
• Be a non-user of tobacco or tobacco products for at least one year immediately preceding application, evidenced by a sworn affidavit.
• Possess a valid driver license.
• Obtain a Class A Commercial Driver License within six months of appointment.
• Obtain a Certificate of Compliance as Firefighter, including satisfactory completion of a firefighter training program approved by the Division; permanent status requires receipt of the certificate.
• Pass pre-employment drug testing, a comprehensive medical examination, and a physical fitness test.
• Pass applicable post-employment drug and alcohol testing, annual medical examinations, and annual physical fitness tests.
• Live within 30 miles of the headquarters at 8701 Old Plank Road, Tallahassee, Florida, throughout employment.
• Complete all Candidate Profile fields, including work history, duties and responsibilities, hours worked, supervisor, and formal education; qualifying-question responses must be verifiable in the profile.

Responsibilities

• Prevent, detect, suppress, and prepare for forest fires, and provide technical forestry services and information to landowners and wood-using industry representatives.
• Operate and maintain equipment used in wildfire suppression, including truck-tractor/semi-trailer or truck-and-trailer combinations, engines, bulldozers, transports, and other suppression equipment.
• Investigate wildfire causes, gather evidence, interview witnesses, make recommendations to supervisors, and issue Notices of Violation where appropriate.
• Detect fires through ground patrol or tower staffing; investigate smoke complaints; and conduct on-site inspections of burn authorizations.
• Present fire-prevention programs in public forums and perform wildfire hazard mitigation work.
• Serve in qualified capacities within the Incident Command System, complete wildfire-management reports, and respond to all-risk emergencies as required.
• Provide presuppression plowing and burning assistance to private landowners.
• Provide technical forestry assistance under the supervision of a Forest Area Supervisor or professional Forester, including timber inventory assistance, tree seed collection, seedling lifting and planting, and forestry or environmental education.
• Assist with public lands management, including tree planting, timber marking and inventory, prescribed burning, boundary maintenance, protection of threatened and endangered species, and wildfire protection.
• Monitor public use and assist visitors with services and recreation opportunities on state lands.
• Maintain public facilities on state lands, including trails, roads, campgrounds, boat ramps, and restrooms; operate and maintain equipment such as road graders, dump trucks, and loaders.
• Perform maintenance and construction activities on fixed facilities and equipment and purchase materials as needed.
• Perform other related work as assigned.

Benefits

• State of Florida Special Risk Retirement package.
• Annual uniform allotment.
• Annual boot allotment.
• Annual and sick leave benefits.
• Nine paid holidays and one personal holiday each year.
• State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and supplemental insurance.
• Retirement plan options with employer contributions.
• Flexible Spending Accounts.
• Tuition waivers.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED