Seasonal Forestry Assistant (Greening the Gateway Cities Program) - Salem Spring/Summer 2026

Commonwealth of Massachusetts•Salem, MA

19d•Onsite

About The Position

The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) seeks to protect, preserve, and enhanceMassachusetts’ environmental resources and create a clean energy future for all residents. Through the stewardship of open spaces, the protection of environmental resources, and the advancement of clean energy, EEA works tirelessly to make Massachusetts a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family. Our commitment to environmental justice ensures that every resident, regardless of background or location, can live in a safe, clean environment and shares equally in the benefits of the clean energy transition. At EEA, we create meaningful, inclusive opportunities that empower our employees to make a real difference in shaping the environmental future of Massachusetts. We foster a workplace culture where diversity is valued, innovation is encouraged, and collaboration thrives. Our employees play a vital role in advancing sustainability, environmental justice,and clean energy solutions, ensuring a positive and lasting impact on Massachusetts and its residents. The Department of Conservation and Recreation’s mission is to protect, promote and enhance our common wealth of natural, cultural and recreational resources for the well-being of all. The DCR is steward to one of the largest and most diverse state parks systems in the nation which includes more than 450,000 acres of parks, forests, water supply protection lands, beaches, lakes, ponds, playgrounds, swimming pools, skating rinks, trails, golf courses and parkways. DCR strives to be an exemplary leader in conservation and recreation. DCR’s staff is passionate, dedicated, and continuously employs best practices that are informed by expertise and creates a sense of place through carrying out the mission. The Bureau of Forest Fire Control & Forestry offers programs to promote, protect and enhance healthy and diverse wooded and urban forests throughout our Commonwealth including grant opportunities for urban forestry and volunteer fire assistance, staff assistance to municipalities for fire control, consulting forestry and forest stewardship for private lands, oversight of forest health issues including insect and disease control and storm related response, regulatory guidance on timber harvests as well as forest management and timber sales on state lands. The Greening the Gateway Cities Program (GGCP) was created with the goal of increasing the number of trees planted in urban areas of Massachusetts Gateway Cities which tend to have lower tree canopy, older housing stock, higher wind speeds, and a larger renter population. The GGCP is designed to reduce household heating and cooling energy use by increasing tree canopy cover in environmental justice neighborhoods, while improving the aesthetic appearance of these neighborhoods and providing numerous other benefits that come with increasing the tree canopy. The Department of Conservation and Recreation seeks qualified applicants for the position of Seasonal Forestry Assistant- Greening the Gateway Cities Program. The Seasonal Forestry Assistant will work outdoors in all types of weather.

Requirements

Applicants must have at least (A) one year of full-time, or equivalent part-time experience in forestry or natural resource management, or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.
An Associate's or higher degree with a major in forestry or forestry management may be substituted for the required experience.
Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.
Possession of a current and valid Massachusetts Class D Motor Vehicle Operator's License.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of the principles and practices of applied forestry and urban forestry.
Ability to identify tree species.
Knowledge of the types and uses of equipment used in forestry.
Knowledge of safety practices used in forestry.
Knowledge of proper pruning techniques and familiarity with the use of hand saws and hand pruners etc.
Knowledge of the terminology and standard abbreviations used in forestry.
Ability to understand, explain and interpret the laws, rules, regulations, policy, procedures, standards and practices governing assigned agency activities.
Ability to follow written instructions.
Ability to maintain harmonious working relationships with others.
Ability to assemble items of information in accordance with established procedures.
Ability to act quickly and make decisions in dangerous and emergency situations.
Ability to give oral instructions in a precise, understandable manner.
Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written expression.
Ability to maintain accurate records.
Ability to read and interpret site plans and GIS maps.

Responsibilities

Assists in the tree planting operations for the GGCP to increase tree canopy cover for the purpose of reducing heating and cooling energy costs to residences and businesses and to educate private landowners and the public about proper tree selection, care, and maintenance.
Assists with leading the canvassing and outreach efforts for the GGCP and communicate the objective of the program effectively to a diverse community of homeowners and residents.
Interacts with the public to encourage participation in the GGCP and provides technical advice to landowners about proper tree selection and maintenance.
Assists Foresters with scheduling and attending site visits.
Assists Foresters in the supervision of daily tree planting crews to ensure trees are planted according to DCR Bureau of Forestry standards.
Assists Foresters with collecting data and maintaining databases. Able to read maps and planting plans.
Operates and assists in maintaining state vehicles and equipment.
Works outdoors in all types of weather.
Performs related duties as assigned.

Benefits

Massachusetts Organization of State Engineers & Scientists (MOSES) Unit 9 Union representation.
Eligible for union recall rights to position next season.
Personal time and paid holidays.
Accrue sick time and vacation time.
Health insurance is available.

Stand Out From the Crowd

Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.

Upload and Match Resume