SENIOR FOREST RANGER - 42001152 (FOR INTERNAL AGENCY EMPLOYEES ONLY)

State of Florida • LEESBURG, FL

6d • $51,690 - $69,946 • Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Forest Ranger works in forest fire prevention, detection, suppression, and pre-suppression; provides technical forestry services to landowners and wood-using industry representatives; assists with state lands management; and presents forestry education programs. The position also responds to all-risk emergency incidents as required.

The role operates and maintains wildfire suppression and state lands management equipment, coordinates wildfire investigation and prevention activities, supports private landowners and public lands programs, and maintains or constructs facilities and equipment. The incumbent must live within 30 miles of the assigned headquarters at 9610 CR 44, Leesburg, Florida, throughout employment. Occasional to moderate travel is required; emergency response may require travel. The position is on-call, with days off on a rotation basis.

This opportunity is limited to current employees of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. A valid driver license is required. The incumbent must obtain a Class A Commercial Driver License with tanker endorsement within six months of appointment. A firefighter Certificate of Compliance, including completion of an approved firefighter training program, is required for permanent status. Applicants receiving an offer must pass a pre-employment drug test, comprehensive medical examination, and physical fitness test. Continued employment includes specified drug and alcohol testing, annual medical examinations, and annual fitness tests.

Requirements

• Three years of experience as a Forest Ranger with the Florida Forest Service; or three years of similar work experience with comparable training at another public wildland firefighting forestry organization; or an associate’s degree in Forest Technology or Fire Science from an accredited college or university and one year of qualifying experience.
• Obtain and maintain a firefighter Certificate of Compliance (Certified Florida Wildland Firefighter), including satisfactory completion of a firefighter training program approved by the Division of State Fire Marshal; permanent status requires receipt of the certificate.
• Possess a valid driver license.
• Obtain a Class A Commercial Driver License with tanker endorsement within six months of appointment.
• Live within 30 miles of the assigned headquarters at 9610 CR 44, Leesburg, Florida, throughout employment.
• Meet firefighter certification eligibility criteria: be a high school graduate or equivalent and at least 18 years old; meet the stated criminal-history and discharge criteria; submit a fingerprint card and current processing fee; have good moral character as determined by investigation; and be in good physical condition as determined by medical examination.
• Pass a pre-employment drug test, comprehensive medical examination, and physical fitness test.
• Meet post-employment drug and alcohol testing and Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse query requirements applicable to the position, and pass annual medical examinations and physical fitness tests.
• Provide occasional to moderate travel and respond to emergencies requiring travel as needed; work on-call and on a rotating days-off basis.

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain equipment used to suppress wildfires, including truck-tractor/semi-trailer or truck-and-trailer combinations, engines, bulldozers, transports, and other wildfire suppression equipment.
• Investigate wildfire causes by gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, making recommendations to supervisors, and issuing Notifications of Violations when appropriate.
• Detect wildfires through ground patrol or tower staffing; investigate smoke complaints; and conduct on-site inspections of burn authorizations.
• Present wildfire prevention programs in public forums to increase awareness of wildfires and wildfire damage.
• Perform wildfire hazard mitigation and serve in qualified capacities within the Incident Command System.
• Complete reports associated with fire management and respond to all-risk emergency incidents as required.
• Provide pre-suppression 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 for the public and private forest landowners.
• 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 of state lands and help the public use available services and recreation opportunities.
• Maintain state-land facilities, including trails, roads, campgrounds, boat ramps, and restrooms; operate and maintain related equipment such as road graders, dump trucks, and loaders.
• Coordinate and perform maintenance and construction activities on fixed facilities and equipment, and purchase materials needed for projects.
• Perform other related work as assigned.

Benefits

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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Associate degree